Q: Can bad idle air control valve cause problems at highway speeds?

asked by on November 22, 2016

Idle became erratic and engines shuts off and on at speed. Problem is intermittent and does not show check engine light
My car has an automatic transmission.

Idle Control Valve Replacement $162.54 - $1028.01 Get a Quote

As you know, the idle air control valve reads the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and at idle. When the engine RPM drops below the normal range of 750-800 RPM (for most cars), this often times will cause the engine to stall indicating a dirty or faulty idle air control valve. Depending on the severity of how dirty the valve may be (in your case, maybe not enough to register the check engine light), this may be intermittent or erratic. Although normally the idle air control valve monitors air intake at low or idle speeds, this may affect the the functionality of it in the case of driving down the highway and quickly letting off the gas pedal. As you know, part of the job of the idle air control valve is to slowly bring the engine down to an idle or low speed when reducing engine RPM’s. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and repair your idle air control valve.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I change the language?
You can choose what language you would like your vehicle’s display to be in with just a few steps: 1. Press the Trip Computer switch until the settings menu shows up. 2. Rotate the Trip Computer switch to Language, then...
Car not accelerating
Hi there. The two most common causes of this vehicle not accelerating are either a transmission failure or a clogged catalytic converter. If the engine seems to just lack power, then it may be the converter. If the engine power...
Steering wheel vibrates at higher speeds
The tire pressure system fault indicator can stem from a variety of sources: an air leak, sensor malfunction, even water in the tires. Furthermore, vibrations often arise with aftermarket rim and tire sets, especially if they do not come close...
Loses power 60 mph
Hi! I believe your problems are unrelated and not caused by one another. I think it's more so awkward timing that both present problems than anything else. You may be in need of a tune-up (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/tune-up). I suggest that you...
Fuel problem
Hello. A fuel system leak such as the one you describe can be caused by a few different things. The injectors are pulsed on and off by the engine computer. If you have already replaced it then it may be...
white smoke
Hello Mr. Anderson, thank you for writing in. Lets start by saying that most vehicles will produce a small amount of white smoke right when starting. This is happening because condensation builds up in the exhaust and engine compartment. This...
My BMW starts, then immediately stalls
The first thing I would look for is air leaks. Your car uses an air flow meter to measure all the air going into the engine. The controller uses this information to decide how much fuel to inject. If there...
My security light is on and my 2005 Chevy equinox will not start..what's going on
Check to see if your battery voltage is low, that is below 12.6 volts. If the battery is discharged or faulty, the immobilizer system might set. If battery voltage is normal and you suspect the immobilizer system is on, to...
My 1995 Dodge intepid 3.5L 158K miles keeps overheating. Can that problem be solved once the motor has some wear?
If your engine is overheating and replacing the water pump stops the leaks and gets coolant circulating again through the system then you should not have a problem even with a high mileage engine. If you overheated engine several times...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford F-350
With With Ford’s stiffest chassis to date, the 2012 F-350 is one of the most reliable heavy-duty pickup trucks on the market today. With the quiet cabin and plush ride, though, you’ll feel like you’re driving in the comfort of...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Just Retired
Here’s Here’s a cruel, hard fact – car manufacturers no longer target seniors. Instead, they devote their time and energy to appealing to the 18-45 demographic. Still, some features make certain cars more suitable for older drivers. We have evaluated...
Top Five Selling Cars in Colorado in 2012
Colorado Colorado offers a varied climate depending on where drivers are located. Those in lower elevations see plenty of sunshine all year, while those in the mountain areas can see as much as 300 inches of snow. Due to this,...