Car Idles High After Cleaning Throttle Body

Introduction

If you’ve recently cleaned your car’s throttle body and now it’s idling high, don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a common problem that can be caused by a few different things. In this post, we’ll discuss the most common causes of high idle after cleaning the throttle body and how to fix them.

Causes of High Idle After Cleaning Throttle Body

1. Dirty Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve – The IAC valve is responsible for controlling the amount of air that bypasses the throttle plate. If the IAC valve is dirty, it can cause the engine to idle high.
2. Vacuum Leak – A vacuum leak can also cause the engine to idle high. Vacuum leaks can occur anywhere in the intake system, but they are most common around the throttle body and intake manifold.
3. Throttle Plate Not Closing Properly – If the throttle plate is not closing properly, it can cause the engine to idle high. This can be caused by a dirty throttle body or a faulty throttle position sensor.

How to Fix High Idle After Cleaning Throttle Body

1. Clean the IAC Valve – To clean the IAC valve, remove it from the throttle body and spray it with carburetor cleaner. Use a soft brush to clean the valve and then reinstall it.
2. Check for Vacuum Leaks – To check for vacuum leaks, use a smoke machine or a can of starter fluid. Spray the starter fluid around the intake system and listen for a change in the engine idle speed. If the idle speed increases, then you have found a vacuum leak.
3. Adjust the Throttle Plate – To adjust the throttle plate, loosen the screws that hold the throttle body in place and turn the throttle plate until the engine idles at the desired speed. Then, tighten the screws and reinstall the throttle body.

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing high idle after cleaning the throttle body, don’t despair. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can diagnose and fix the problem yourself.