Idle Control Valve

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travelman
Started learning about 480
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Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:34 pm

Idle Control Valve

Post by travelman » Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:03 am

I have an uneven tickover with the revs surging up and down slightly and stalling ocasionally.When I remove the wire off the end of the idle control valve the tickover reverts to normal,but as soon as it is reconnected the surging starts again.I have cleaned out the valve but it does not make any difference.Is this a likely valve failure or would it be an electrical problem.Have checked carefully for air leaks but nothing is apparent.What happens if the wire is left disconnected-does it cause starting or running problems.
If it does need a valve,what is the difference between a £35 job or a £200 one as they seem to range between these prices on ebay.Anyone recommend a particular brand.

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jamescarruthers
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Location: Cambridge

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by jamescarruthers » Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:16 am

I had an unbranded one on my last car and it did the trick-- it was midrange in price.‎

I think there are two types, the difference being the orientation‎ of the pipes.

You've checked useful stuff there. Would also suggest checking that the throttle position switch is checked. This controls the valve. With the engine off (so you can hear it) and in the engine bay, can you hear the switch click if you slightly open the throttle‎? Check this when cold and again when hot.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
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Location: Aberdeen

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by Alan 480 » Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:15 am

as the revs are changing it does sound as if th control valve IS working /activating so mayb emore likely to be the switch? (ie switch sending or nt sending aasignal to the ECU? )
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

travelman
Started learning about 480
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Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:34 pm

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by travelman » Wed Oct 17, 2018 4:02 pm

Thanks James-I have checked the control switch as you advised and the clicks are conspicuous by their absence! Will get another one and give it a try.
It will not hurt to change it anyway as the one on it has never been changed in 27 years.Will get back when I have changed the switch.

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jamescarruthers
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Posts: 2501
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Location: Cambridge

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by jamescarruthers » Wed Oct 17, 2018 4:13 pm

It doesn't necessarily need replaced, it could just need adjusted. ‎
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

travelman
Started learning about 480
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:34 pm

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by travelman » Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:11 pm

Yes,you were right James,it was the throttle posistion sensor.Got a Bosch one off Ebay and changed it.The old one was full of oil which was probably the problem.Now engine running fine.

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Nov 22, 2018 9:11 pm

Ah that is good news, well done. It's a good thing these sort of parts are fitted to other engines so we can keep our 480's running well. :D
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by Alan 480 » Fri Nov 23, 2018 1:00 pm

travelman wrote:
Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:11 pm
Yes,you were right James,it was the throttle posistion sensor.Got a Bosch one off Ebay and changed it.The old one was full of oil which was probably the problem.Now engine running fine.
Mine was similarily full!!!, :shock: I drilled a hole in the bottom to let the oil out!!! :wink:

this is caused by any oil in the air inlet system running down the throttle spindle into the switch
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

travelman
Started learning about 480
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:34 pm

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by travelman » Sat Nov 24, 2018 3:48 pm

Alan,I have to give you top marks for ingenuity.You always think outside of the box.

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by Alan 480 » Sat Nov 24, 2018 7:49 pm

travelman wrote:
Sat Nov 24, 2018 3:48 pm
Alan,I have to give you top marks for ingenuity.You always think outside of the box.
just 'ticht',
and I like to think that 'where there is a will, there's a way' , probably coming from a time when internet didn't exist and if you needed a part you had to source it from the dealer (at high price) , local breakers yard (2miles away) or try and see what was wrong, ie a fixer NOT a fitter :D

actually I had a spare switch anyway from a breakers so nothing to lose, so they now BOTH have drain holes :wink:
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

Irolllowvo
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Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by Irolllowvo » Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:21 am

Hi Alan
I've been having a similar issue, after buying a car with dead turbo oil seals. (Definite oil in intercooler pipework and inlet, since drained and throttle etc cleaned)
I tried a spare tps (not guaranteed to be working) and had the same idle after going though all other tests and possibilities I could think of, earths, icv, temp switch, wiring, crank sensor, ecus etc.
I'm wondering where you drilled the Holeand what size it was? I'd like to try your trick, obviously I wouldn't want to go deep to avoid damage.
Thansk
Ed
:boom:

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by Alan 480 » Wed Jan 30, 2019 12:36 pm

Irolllowvo wrote:
Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:21 am
Hi Alan
I've been having a similar issue, after buying a car with dead turbo oil seals. (Definite oil in intercooler pipework and inlet, since drained and throttle etc cleaned)
I tried a spare tps (not guaranteed to be working) and had the same idle after going though all other tests and possibilities I could think of, earths, icv, temp switch, wiring, crank sensor, ecus etc.
I'm wondering where you drilled the Holeand what size it was? I'd like to try your trick, obviously I wouldn't want to go deep to avoid damage.
Thansk
Ed
Ed
you can check the resistance of the TPS at both ends of travel with a multi meter
first off I had a TWO litre (N/A) so at your own risk!!!

I think it was about 1/8" and all the way through to let the oil out :wink:

I'll look for the spare and send a photo (assuming it also has a hole in it!)
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by Alan 480 » Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:53 pm

photos here (maybe) on google drive, as a shared item
Image

Bosch 0280 122 001
Image

I reckon I've not done this properly (again)
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

jifflemon
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Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by jifflemon » Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:43 am

Photo's working a treat Alan!

Irolllowvo
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Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 9:25 am

Re: Idle Control Valve

Post by Irolllowvo » Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:08 pm

Sorry I never replied Alan, thankyou for your images.
I managed to rectify the issues, there must have been previous damage to the lambda wiring and a bare wire piggyback earth had been twisted on but was making poor contact, spade connectors later and she was running a treat 👍🏻
:boom:

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