C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

IAC Ajustment PLEASE HELP !!!!!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2009 | 12:15 AM
  #1  
arrested609's Avatar
arrested609
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default IAC Ajustment PLEASE HELP !!!!!!!

I have a 1988 Corvette with the L98 engine. What is the ajustment specs on the IAC. How can you tell if it's working right. After running my car for a while and getting it hot, I went to a parts store. I left the parking lot and was approaching a stop light, when it idled down it was fixing to die so i had to keep my foot on the gas. After leaving the light i started getting on it , it seemed like it would surge sometimes. Everytime i would slow down and let my foot off the pedal it would want to die. If i let it sit for a few hours and restart it, it will run fine. This is driving me crazy. Could this be that i have a bad IAC or it needs to be ajusted. Its brand new from O'reilly's , it's been on the engine for a few months. Your help would be appreciated. Craig.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2009 | 02:41 AM
  #2  
K87ZZ4's Avatar
K87ZZ4
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
Default

I don't believe IAC motors or valves can be adjusted. But, they can stick, which can cause the kind of problems you are mentioning (dying at idle or failing to start without applying some throttle to allow air into the intake).

It's tough to tell if it's working right. It doesn't throw a code if it's stuck. If the IAC valve is stuck closed, there's no way for enough air to get into the engine at idle and it dies.

It could be a bad IAC, but the first thing to consider is if the throttle body was cleaned when the IAC was replaced? I found a lot of carbon built up in the throttle body where the IAC seats and cleaned it out thoroughly when I replaced my IAC.

And yes, this kind of intermittent problem drives you crazy! It drove me nuts for months and months (one wonders if I ever fully recovered ;-)
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2009 | 02:52 AM
  #3  
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Default

A simple check for operation is to remove the valve, connect it to the harness and turn on the ignition switch. (no start the motor) The pintel should unscrew itself and pop off the valve body. For this reason, place the valve in a plastic bag so you don't have to hunt for the flying parts....
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2009 | 06:10 AM
  #4  
vette079's Avatar
vette079
Pro
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
For this reason, place the valve in a plastic bag so you don't have to hunt for the flying parts....
Speaking of experience...?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2009 | 06:40 AM
  #5  
floridamale's Avatar
floridamale
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Default

The distance from the tip of the pintle to the mounting surface of the IAC should not be greater then 28mm or 1 & 1/8 inch. The IAC adjustment automatically occurs after it’s on the motor, and is re-set after the motor has been started and shut off. I believe some scanning software will allow you to reset the IAC counts through the ECM. Take it apart and clean it measure it and see if that helps.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2009 | 09:26 AM
  #6  
Midnight 85's Avatar
Midnight 85
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Default

The IAC will not cause it to surge. When was the last time you replaced the fuel filter?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2009 | 02:09 PM
  #7  
basselope's Avatar
basselope
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Ohio
Default

keep in mind that this is the "Idle" air control. If the surge you described after "getting on it" continues while you have your foot on the gas (i.e. off idle) then the IAC would be eliminated from that particular issue. The other symptoms you describe could well be the IAC.

Good Luck!
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2009 | 12:27 PM
  #8  
arrested609's Avatar
arrested609
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default Thanks everyone for your help

I pulled the IAC out today and found that there was a piece of thread sealer that was on the thread of the IAC that was on the Pintle end. I cleaned it off, and it idles like a champ. Thanks again.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 19, 2009 | 02:48 AM
  #9  
K87ZZ4's Avatar
K87ZZ4
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
Default

We'll keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't come back!

Reply
Old Aug 19, 2009 | 03:13 AM
  #10  
rodj's Avatar
rodj
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Default

Originally Posted by arrested609
I pulled the IAC out today and found that there was a piece of thread sealer that was on the thread of the IAC that was on the Pintle end. I cleaned it off, and it idles like a champ. .
Did you reset it after install ?

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...and+Idle+Speed
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2012 | 09:35 PM
  #11  
White81's Avatar
White81
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
From: Nashville, TN
Default

I have a 1988 35th that has a similar problem. Mine will run and idle fine but sometimes when I start it, it want idle unless I keep my foot on the gas. Just tonight, it would not idle and died 4 times. The last time I turned the key off/on, restarted the car and it idled fine. Is it correct that once the car is turned off, the IAC will readjust? If that is the case does it not readjust once it dies and you restart it or only when it has been turned off? I will take it apart and clean along with replacing the fuel filter. Does anyone have pictures of this precess?
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2012 | 12:14 AM
  #12  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Stalling at idle is a prime symptom of needing to do a minimum idle adjustment, which consists of adjusting the throttle plates and TPS sensor. Instructions are here:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=55&TopicID=2
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To IAC Ajustment PLEASE HELP !!!!!!!





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:34 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE