'Affordable' Idle Air Stabilizer Valve Source?

[snpower]

My '90 E30 started running somewhat rough a few days ago; the problem is intermittent but when I bag on this valve the engine smooths out. I checked resistance and also applied 12v to the valve and it did not close.

Anyway is their a source that remanufactures these? They are $179.00 at AutoZone, which is better than dealer price but still steep for me right now.

Thanks...

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

have you tryed just cleaning it? just use some Brake cleaner and soak the insides of it.... help mine for only $3.50 for the big can.....

[snpower]

Sprayed the hell out of it with brake cleaner. 12v forces the valve to operate one way; removing the voltage does not reverse the valve. Resistance reading is 43.7 ohms.

Reinstallation in the vehicle: engine runs fairly steady (for the time being). Tapping the valve causes the engine to cycle rapidly between 1200 and 1700 rpms.

Check Engine light comes on intermittently during vehicle operation.

[snpower]

Perhaps I should check the throttle switch as well.

[snpower]

I am now getting code 1222 out of the OBD I system pointing to (possibly) the O2 sensor. I put a new one in four years ago. Isn't that odd that one would fail so soon - with only 10k of driving in that time?

[darkhorse737]

u can take a chance on a used one from eBay, if the ICV is suspect. They're available for some $30-50.00

Two things about OBD1 codes.
1) just because it says o2 sensor doesn't mean it IS the O2 sensor itself;
2) could just be a glitch.

I would rather u clear the code at least twice and see if u get the same results before u conclude it is the sensor itself.

Re: o2 sensor. Check also the O2 sensor relay for proper operation. It's by the strut tower driver's side beside the Main relay

btw, what ICV do u have? 2 wire or 3 wire???

[snpower]

Thanks for the reply.

I checked resistance of the o2 sensor and it is at 5.5 ohms. I am getting 12v, 8v, and 4v from the harness and sensor sides of the connectors per Bentley's.

The ICV is the 'T' three wire version.

I depress the gas pedal for 10 seconds with the ignition 'on' but can't get the 1222 code to clear.

The check engine light is now on steadily. That's progress!

[snpower]

I still can't get the code the clear but I'm back believing the ICV is shot. I can't get it to cycle when power is applied; I took a flat head screwdriver and tried moving it manually and it felt and sounded like grime/dirt was inhibiting movement.

I've shot a TON of brake cleaner down in there; guess I could soak it as well.