So about a month ago i started getting really crappy start up idles. It would really struggle to idle normally anywhere under 2k rpms. On top of this i couldn't get the engine to rev beyond 5k rpms it would just bounce back to 4600 or so then go back to 5k and do the same thing over again. I went and got the code checked at a local auto parts store and the problem was a "Idle Air Control Circuit Low." I'm not sure what exactly i could do to fix the circuit but i had read that you can clean your valve, which is exactly what i did. I took it off, cleaned the **** out of it, replaced the gasket, and put it back on. This fixed it for quite a while... up until tonight.

The last few days here in my area of Colorado have been really cold and i think that's part of why it started acting up again. I drive a 04 Wrx and this was the year they changed how the valve worked so the only real solution i can see is buying a new one at 320$+ which is not in the budget for another 2 weeks minimum.

I guess my question to the community would be what kind of problems can arise if i decided to keep using it to get to work (necessary) and if there might be another couple of choices i can go about to fix my problem?
Thanks in advance!

 

Order a used throttle body from eBay. I ordered one for 75, came complete with IACV and map sensor. I bolted it in and it runs perfect! I recommend that solution compared to being sticker shocked by dealer's quote. 02-05 has same identical gasket and physical part. Part numbers can change year to year but still works.

 

That's a pretty creative solution, i wonder if i can find one soon. Did you throw the throttle body on or did you just part the IACV over? and if you did the latter did you just resell the body?

 

I just got a CE light for a idle control system malfunction followed diag procedures for that code and apparently i have to replace my ECM ...what my car does is at cold start the idle is at 1500 and fluctuates from 1500 to 1000 rpm every second and when its on D it jerks between 1000 and 2000 rpm... I have a 02 wrx with a complete 05 ej20t engine

 

@Lep04 - I just swapped over the new throttle body. Runs perfect and no issues. I kept the former part because map sensor still good and I would rather not search for a tiny part when it's still attached to throttle body.

@831Subaru - If you have AT model WRX. You can borrow a MT ECU to check if the code still pops up. I don't think you need to replace ECU. The car will run on MT ECU and if it came up with the exact code then and only then I would replace ECU. I have tried this myself. I do AT to MT conversions often enough to have experience. I would say its your IACV faulty not ECU problem.

 

Thanks for the info, gonna see what i can make happen!

 

P0508 solve by replacing the IACV or like i did was replaced the IACV motor with one that i had laying..kept the valve housing just swapped the IACV motor

 

Before u buy or try finding a replacement, try this cleaning method.....it worked in my case when my engine threw those codes and went into limp mode.....

My IACV cleaning writeup - NASIOC

Awesome thread....good luck!

 

So the 22650aa182 and the 22650aa181 are completely interchangeable and the same??? Cuz the aa181 is $200 cheaper on eBay then the aa182... Mine is the aa182 on my 05 WRX.