Idle Control Problem

[Ford Brat]

I have an 87 Escort 1.9L with 21,000 original miles......
I'm experiencing problems ONLY with the idle, it has changed over the last few months and now stalls frequently when making stops.
The problem is extremely worse in cold weather, it will not start or idle unless I give throttle like on a carburated vehicle.
Once the engines warms up it will idle smooth but still below the normal rpm range that it should.
While driving to work one day I had to slam on the brakes to avoid a
#$&!#$!, the car suddenly idled up and operated normally for several miles of travel but reverted back to the slow idle.
Is there some type of valve or solenoid that could cause this problem?
Any hints at fixing this problem would be appreciated!
Thanks

[bigrod118]

mine does that too. I bought it from my buddy and he said it alwasy had a low idle, but it does get relaly low when its cold. but ine willi dle at around 250 - 300 rpm, yet the car wont shake or sputter or die at all, it just idles that low and is perfectly fine about it. but sometimes it will idle at around 800-1000 rpms, which is where it was normally when I bought it. I ilke it idleing lower, but mine is very inconsistant too, so I hope you find a fix to it, and if so, share it.

[Creepyjon]

Easy fix, on top of the throttle body is a clyinder with a plug on the back of it. It will be right next too or on top of the butteryfly valve. Take that part off and clean out all the carbon with some carb cleaner and put it back together. IF it keeps doing it then the IAC motor is bad. Thats short for idle air control, but some parts stores call it a by the GM name.

[Ford Brat]

I found some online info at Chiltons website showing an idle control motor mounted on the throttle assembly.
I pulled the breather this morning so I could get a look at it and check for plunger operation, it failed to do squat when I started the engine! It didn't hum, click, moan or groan so I removed it and pried off the rear housing where the motor is located. Using 12vdc I applied power to the motor and the shaft extended fine, reversed the polarity and it easily retracted too! At this point I'm scratching my head and then decide to look at the connector plug.......the pins were semi-shiny, I noticed there was some light oxidation on a couple of the pins.
I coated them with some Contact-Kote and then put the assembly back together, plugged the connector back in and started the engine.
Guess what? It worked just fine! I guess it must have been the plug contacts causing the problem all along!
No more cold starts for me this winter guys.......now I can add a remote start and forget about the frosty windows in the morning!

Ford Brat