Help disconnecting IAC harness (5S-FE)

[baltomiata]

Hi all,

I'm trying to fix a cold-idle problem on my parents '96 camry, 5S-FE m/t, but can't get the electrical connector off the IAC. I'm trying to do the fix outlined here: http://yotarepair.com/Engine.html The connector is in a terribly inconvenient place and I couldn't seem to pull it off. Is there any trick to removing this connector, or is it just a brute-force item? It doesnt seem like this should be holding it back...

tia

a miata guy in foreign territory

[Mike Gerber]

Try it without taking the connector off and without starting the engine. I clean my throttle body and idle air control valve this way all the time. Just remove the snorkle and spray some carb cleaner or throttle body cleaner (do not use anything that is not oxygen sensor safe) into that square hole at the bottom of the throttle body. Let it soak for a couple of minutes and do it again. While you are waiting clean up the rest of the throttle body including the back side of the throttle valve. It would help to have someone inside the car holding the pedal to the floor for easy access to the back side, but you can do it yourself by manipulating the throttle yourself from inside the engine compartment with your other hand. Now put the snorkle back on and start the car. It will be difficult to start with all this cleaner in the intake plenum, but it will eventually start. It will want to die on you several times, so hold your foot slightly on the accelerator pedal once it does start. Now take it for a ride for 10-15 minutes to clear out all the cleaner. Your cold starting problem should be gone. If not try to do this again. The car will also idle smoother from cleaning up the throttle body. I just did this procedure last Wednesday on my 94 5SFE.

PS: I spend a lot of time on the Miata.net forum too. I own a 90 and have owned it since October of 89. It get's stored for the Winters here in Chicago. It's a little cold here for top down driving this time of year and my Miata has never seen salt.

Merry Christmas.

Mike

[Daniel M. Dreifus]

I agree with Mike - clean it without disconnecting the wiring, but --- after a couple of years doing this, I finally replaced the IAC valve, along with cleaning and adjusting the throttle body off the car as described in the FSM.
Problem is, hard starting cold returned even with the new factory fresh IAC valve after a couple of months.
When I had the old one removed I took it apart and found some scuff marks on the drum shaped portion that turns, so I have been spraying with Tri-Flow teflon bike chain lubricant and that seems to have completely solved the problem, so --- once you have cleaned the IAC with carb cleaner, if the problem returns for you, might want to try the Tri-flow as a follow up.

[baltomiata]

thanks for the replies guys, I'll get O2 sensor-safe TB/Carb cleaner at the parts store tomorrow and try it without pulling the connector. good to know about the teflon lube, i'm pretty leery of shoving random cleaners/lubricants down the intake, glad this stuff works and is safe.

it's funny, my mother's '94 has never had this problem, yet my dad's been battling the issue with his '96 for a year. similar mileage, exact same car. strange.

Mike: I've got a '94C daily driver, E-stock autocross machine. I've wanted one since they came out, finally got one last spring and have spent the last seven months doing all the maintance the previous owners neglected. I just have to rebuild/replace the rear brakes (corroded slider pins), then I can start spending on fun stuff like Konis and sways miata.net is a wonderful, terrible addiction...

thanks!
Peter

[Mike Gerber]

baltomiata,

Did you get the throttle body cleaner and clean the idle air control valve yet? Did it work for you?

PS: When you do the rear brakes on your Miata, read up on the job first. There is a small bolt under a rubber cap on each rear caliper. After replacing the pads you have to remove the rubber cap and screw in the bolt all the way until it seats. Then screw it out 1/3 of a turn. This adjusts the parking brake.

Mike