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Bad Idle Control Valve Motor


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petelg
User

Dec 31, 2010, 2:21 PM

Post #1 of 10 (3062 views)
Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

Hi, God I need help!!! I have a 1989 Buick Park Avenue, Which I've taken care of but lately it will die on me going down the highway. No sputtering or anything ,just up and dies. I was told the "Idle Control Valve Motor" was going bad. I purchased one from Advance Auto Parts which was easy to install..This was a few days ago with no problems. I was coming fro town today and I felt a sharp,quick couple of thumps( I assume it was cutting out)..Anyway it died..I pulled over to the side of the road and let it sit there a few minutes and it started like a new car. It's always restarted after a while..What can I do do get to the problem of this once and for all? I'm scared to get to far from the house .Thanks for any and all advice....Pete


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 31, 2010, 2:50 PM

Post #2 of 10 (3052 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

You have what's probably the hardest type of problem to diagnose. Something is momentarily cutting out going down the highway and unly you could test for spark, fuel pressure and injector pulse during that few seconds while it won't run, then your kinda screwed and back to guessing which can get real expensive. they did have a lot of problems with the ECMs, Ignition control modules and Crankshaft Position sensors all causing issues like that. It's nothing but a wild guess or flip of a coin as to what is going on with yours.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



petelg
User

Dec 31, 2010, 3:10 PM

Post #3 of 10 (3047 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

That doesn't sound to good... The "ignition module and coil pack' was changed a few years ago before I had the car if that's of any help..But thanks for the advice though.. I appreciate it...Pete


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 31, 2010, 7:55 PM

Post #4 of 10 (3039 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

Like HT said these can be tough and 1st on the list is to find out what you're losing, spark or fuel.

If you have a can of carb clean or starting fluid, you can spray a couple of shots down the air intake. If this starts the engine for a few seconds then you are looking at a fuel problem. It would be good to confirm no spark if it won't run on starting fluid just to be sure.....

One old school trick to check the crank sensor is to crank it over while it won't start & check the rpm signal. No rpm reading and it's very possible the sensor is bad. While not 100%, it gets you in the ball park....


petelg
User

Jan 1, 2011, 1:19 PM

Post #5 of 10 (3029 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

Thanks a lot. I'll definately try those things. Of corse it may run perfectly for a short while and decide to stop on me at the most inopportune time. Like at a light..Mad To check the "crank case sensor" or the "RPM" do I have to purchase anything to accomplish this? And thanks again for your help..Pete


petelg
User

Mar 10, 2011, 12:42 PM

Post #6 of 10 (2914 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

Hi, still having problems.1989 Buick Park Avenue, 6 cylinder. Hope you don't get boared. This will be a pretty good sized paragraph.. So far I've replaced the ICV.. I took it to a mechanic 50 miles from home who had a machine that was supposed to diagnose my problem. I replaced the ICV my self and the car still cut out on me at times...After setting awhile it would start up like nothing was wrong. But after a few miles or a few days it would cut out again..At times the Service Engine Soon light would come on momentarily and shortly after feel the car cut out( I'd describe it as two short thumps) and eventually die. No sputtering or anything. I decided to take it to the mechanic. It ran fine on the drive up there, no problems. After a couple of days he called back and said it wouldn't turn over becausethe starter was dragging. He replaced the starter along with the "crank case sensor". I brought the car home again with no problems..Needless to say,a couple of days later, it stoped on me in the middle of a busy blvd.( and I did feel it thump a few miles earlier of the dying). I trailered it back up there again and he's had it 3weeks...I told him to use it so that he could experience the dyeing for himself. I spent $ 220 for a starter and a sensor I masy have not needed and still have no car..What are my options and Has anyone got an idea of what to try next? Could it be in the alternator? Any help would REALLY be appreciated...Pete


(This post was edited by petelg on Mar 10, 2011, 12:52 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 10, 2011, 12:45 PM

Post #7 of 10 (2909 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

So, what's the code number being set when the check engine light comes on?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



petelg
User

Mar 10, 2011, 12:57 PM

Post #8 of 10 (2905 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

Sorry I don't know... The only thing I know is what I stted in the paragraph.. I have to pick up my car and find someone else if possible...Is there something in particular I should ask him about what he did or found out? AGAIN! Thanks for your help.


petelg
User

Mar 19, 2011, 12:16 PM

Post #9 of 10 (2879 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

Had to go pick my car up at the repair shop. He's had it 3 weeks.. He said it never died on him for him to be able to scan it..So far the "ignition module"..."coil pak"..."starter"..."crank case sensor" and the "ICV" has been replaced.Do I need to purchase a code scanner for my 1989 Buick Park Avenue and leave it plugged it for when the next time it stops on me? And if you agree with this which code reader do I need? Thanks everyone...Pete


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 19, 2011, 2:40 PM

Post #10 of 10 (2870 views)
Re: Bad Idle Control Valve Motor Sign In

You can't use an OBD2 code reader on your car because it's OBD1. That requires a professional scan tool for big bucks.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







 
 
 






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