Idle control valve?

[bhuff30]

I beleive the idle control valve is going bad on my 97GT. The past 2 days, the engine won't start unless I give it some gas. I have to keep giving it gas, until it is fully warmed up, and even after that it will idle at about 500-600rpm instead of 750 like it should. Sometimes, it wil start working perfectly again, idleing correctly and such.. until it sits in the cold and freezes up again.

1. Nearly certainly the idle control valve, correct?

2. Is it common for these valves to have build up, to where a simple cleaning is all that is needed, or should I just replace it?

3. Anything special about the installation I should know, or is it a simple bolt up with no adjustments? On my 88, there is some adjustment to be done to ensure the voltage at idle is ok. I don't happen to have my shop manuals handy at the moment.

I'm hoping to fix it tomorrow. I don't have 3 feet, and it won't be so easy to drive with a BAD idle valve on the sheet of ice we are currently receiving.

One thing I found very interesting, is how quickly the rpms drop during shifts without the idle control valve. The rpms just plumbit and even with a fairly quick shift, the rpms are below where the rpms will end up after the shift!

 

[Jacob_Royer]

I always have to turn the key let off turn the key again then m y car fires?? same problem? i've seen this on many 4.6 stangs....

 

[bhuff30]

Hmm, it doesn't really fire on the 2nd try like that. Actaully, it will fire and then very quickly die because it isn't getting enough air. With a little throttle, it stays running.

I'm very certian it is that idle control valve.

I always have to turn the key let off turn the key again then m y car fires?? same problem? i've seen this on many 4.6 stangs....