Uh oh. Cleaned IACV and now car won't start...

[SnowgodCCR]

I cleaned my Idle Air Control Valve yesterday and now my car won't start. I don't have a scanner, so I can't read any codes. I had a CEL before the cleaning, so I have no way to tell if this is throwing a new code (it most likely is) or not.

The ONLY thing I did was unplug the harness at the ICAV, remove the valve, clean it with isopropyl alcohol, and put it back together with a new gasket. I also unplugged the sensor harness next to the ICAV in error, thinking it was attached to the part that needed to be cleaned, but everything is plugged back as I found it, except much cleaner.

The engine turns and turns, but doesn't start. I have a brand new battery. Please help! My 20 minute project has turned into a two-day nightmare.

[My25RSL]

maybe unplug the battery to reset the ecu and see if it starts?

:dunno:

not familiar with IAC stuff...

[apkarian100]

What Jon said and make sure that plugs in all the way till you hear a click.

[SnowgodCCR]

maybe unplug the battery to reset the ecu and see if it starts?

:dunno:

not familiar with IAC stuff...

Tried that, no dice. I'm going to try starting it with the IACV unplugged, then try with the MAF unplugged. Then have it flatbedded to Kinetic when neither of those work.

[SnowgodCCR]

What Jon said and make sure that plugs in all the way till you hear a click.

It's plugged in all the way.

[My25RSL]

did you unplug the sensor or plug it back in when they key was in the on position?

[SnowgodCCR]

did you unplug the sensor or plug it back in when they key was in the on position?

Nope, I always except for always have the keys on the dashboard when I'm working on the car.

[My25RSL]

hmm....and youre sure EVERYTHING is plugged in ALL the way?

it seems like something is missing...

[SnowgodCCR]

hmm....and youre sure EVERYTHING is plugged in ALL the way?

it seems like something is missing...

I only unplugged two connections, I'm pretty sure that I didn't miss one when I put it back together :unamused:.

I'm going to check all my fuses today, it occurred to me that when I moved the goo around the first time and stuck the IACV, it might have tried to draw too much power and blew a fuse(s). It's always best to start at the cheapest solution, right?

[Motive]

Don't forget to check the harness/IACV connectors for broken or loose pins/spades.

[SicRedGt]

Spray some carb cleaner in the intake and see if it tries to run. Did you check EVERY fuse?

[My25RSL]

I'm going to check all my fuses today, it occurred to me that when I moved the goo around the first time and stuck the IACV, it might have tried to draw too much power and blew a fuse(s). It's always best to start at the cheapest solution, right?

well thats why i asked about the key being in the on position....but you said the key was out and on the dash, which means the sensor had no power going to it. so it shouldnt have popped a fuse....but its always good to check...

[toomanytoyz]

It would seem to me that the IAC may cause a rough, high, or hunting idle, but not a "no start" condition. It'd still run, or at least try to. I'd look real hard in the area you were working and see if you disturbed a connection completely unrelated to what you were working on.

Check for fuel pressure and spark if all fuses are good.

Didn't you have a pcm issue recently?

[Motive]

It would seem to me that the IAC may cause a rough, high, or hunting idle, but not a "no start" condition. It'd still run, or at least try to. I'd look real hard in the area you were working and see if you disturbed a connection completely unrelated to what you were working on.

Check for fuel pressure and spark if all fuses are good.

Didn't you have a pcm issue recently?

Agreed - "no start" sounds like cam/crank sensor, completely loose ground, fuel/spark. What else were you working on or near?

[SnowgodCCR]

Spray some carb cleaner in the intake and see if it tries to run. Did you check EVERY fuse?

I just visually inspected EVERY fuse, even the ones that shouldn't have anything to do with start up. I tried starting it with the IACV unplugged, with it plugged in, and with the MAF unplugged as well. Nothing. I disconnected the battery and tried it all again. Crank crank crank, but no start.

[SicRedGt]

You need to start with basics. Spark , fuel etc.

[yaya]

You need to start with basics. Spark , fuel etc.

^+1

Crank, crank, crank, no start. Check fuse #11 under the dash...

[My25RSL]

when my car cranked, but wouldnt start, it was cuz the ignition died......but i HIGHLY doubt yours is dead...

hmm....im not sure where else to point you to look at at this point besides the obv...fuse, connectors, broken wires, etc etc, which you have already looked at most of...

confusing.

[SicRedGt]

Quick spark/fuel check; spray carb cleaner into the intake and see if it fires off.

[snow05gtRI]

is isopropyl alcohol the proper thing to use for cleaning these types of electronics?

[boxer3maine]

the last I messed with a gadget related I blew resistor R1 in the ECM. right on the circuit board.

that was 1993, I don't know what today would call it. still not as extreme as it may seem. it is very easy to do.. disrupt a clock fed circuit. low volts or not, it is still hertz needing a path.

anyway, I hope it is simple.

[SnowgodCCR]

I'm definitely getting fuel - I had my girlfriend try to start the car while I sniffed the exhaust. Fuel is being put into the engine.
Fuse 11 is the first one I checked, it's fine.

What's a simple way to check for spark?

[SnowgodCCR]

The car got towed to Kinetic today :-(
If it's that ****ing crank position sensor I'm going to be...upset. If they can fix it by Friday there's still hope for me AutoXing on Sunday :-D

[My25RSL]

any news yet?

[SnowgodCCR]

It was fixed in under an hour at Kinetic.

Apparently someone who fancies themselves a mechanic did some terrible splicing on some wiring for the crank position sensor and when my IACV went and caused the engine to shake around it wrecked the splices the rest of the way. All soldered up and running again.

As soon as they got it running, my IACV **** the bed. I drove around for the last two days revving my engine at everyone and getting lots of dirty looks at traffic lights. Then Bulldog dropped off a new (to me) IACV for me at work yesterday and she's running like a champ now. Idle is rock solid at 800 rpm and my CEL hasn't come back on, which means that I get an inspection sticker on Monday! Yay!

[toomanytoyz]

Good news! :)

[axis]

Glad to hear it got resolved.