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Idle air control acting up? Choke it. 700

After 2 attempts at cleaning my idle air control (IAC) using the disassembly method in the FAQ, I had to try something else (or lay out big bucks like I should). The unit checked out fine when I applied voltage, and didn't look dirty, but kept giving erratic idle speeds. I read one post where somebody bypassed the IAC completely - tried that, didn't work at all for me. But by unplugging the intake hose to the IAC at the plastic nipple coming out of the dict feeding the throttle body, I found I could change the idle speed by "starving" the IAC of some air. This led to the following (see photo). Here's what you do (but only if your main thing is the thrill of treading where only a Volvo factory designer-guy has trod before). Go to the hardware store and get some garden hose fittings with 5/8 barbs and 3/4 threads, including a plastic ball valve intended as a stopcock on the end of a garden hose. Oh, and you'll need a few inches of old heater hose to connect to that plastic nipple mentioned above. Slide off the gooseneck hose that feeds the IAC, insert the barb/ball valve assembly, and connect to the nipple. You now have an adjustable restrictor that reduces the flow to the IAC. No, you haven't solved the basic fault (which could be the IAC, AMM, throttle positioner, ECU.....) but for me, it cut the "hunting" range of that erratic idle speed way down to an acceptable level - very calm with only a rare hiccup. Hey, it's colorful, it's cheap, and it got me back on the road in no time.



Andy Crosby
87 744, 485K








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Idle air control acting up? Choke it. 700

Hey, you are a shadetree mechanic of the highest caliber! I had a 700 with a Regina system that did the same thing. I unplugged the IAC electrical connector, and gave it some voltage till it was at an acceptable range and it ran for years without any problems. There's more than one way to solve a problem.
:) Jon








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Idle air control acting up? Choke it. 700

It is good to know that there are others that "think outside of the box"! My 88 760 is now doing daily duty 3,000 miles later with the IAC removed and the throttle plate readjusted to compensate. It takes a little longer to warm it up, but losing the fear of it shutting down unexpectedly with the family in it more than compensates.

Regards,
--
Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, www.willdallas.com 86 245 DL 205K miles, 93 940 250K miles, 88 765 GLE 149K miles, 87 745 , 86 244 DL 200K Miles, 88 744T 200K miles







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