IAC sensor location

[patarusky]

Where is the idle air control motor sensor located? On my 99 it was located right by the air intake on the manifold but on my 2001 the layout is different & I don't know where it is. My idle flucuates up and down when I start the car and I think that's the problem. Of course it settles down right away so the is no check engine light either. And sometimes I get a high idle (2500 rpm) while going down the road and it drops abruptly to normal. Any ideas besides the IAC control that I could look at? Remember there are no codes. Thanks

[timd]

In my Haynes manual, it only refers to an IAC motor. Looking at the engine compartment from the front, it is located just forward of the transaxle dipstick. I don't have the Neon here to see for myself but the picture in the manual shows it to be under the ribbed hose (?) that runs from the front of the car, over the IAC motor and down past the transaxle dipstick. Between the dipstick and the IAC motor are two rubber coated cables. The replacement instructions warn that if you are installing a new IAC motor, "measure the length of the new IAC motor pintle valve (the plunger) before installing. The pintle valve should not exceed one inch (25 mm) in length. If it does, carefully push the pintle in while wiggling it until it protrudes less than one inch."
Hope this helps!

[patarusky]

You are correct . It is the idle air control MOTOR. I just think it's sticking since my idle bumps up & down at start up and then settles down. Sometimes on the road it races up to 2500 rpm or so. Has this happened to anyone else?? It doesn't last long enough to set a code. Thanks

[TheBobsHere]

While driving the IAC should be wide open in preparation for the throttle body slamming shut during stopping thereby avoiding stalling the engine. You may have another problem, have the computer checked for stored codes (the CEL doesn't always light up when codes are stored). The idle problem could be the IAC but it could also be the MAF or MAP too, not to mention vacuum leaks or an injector sticking.