Last week my Engine management light came on so i got a Diagnostic check done the car showed 2 faults a lambda sensor which was faulty and the idle control valve which showed a fault, Over the years i have posted and read posts of folk talking about cleaning throttle body`s to sort out rough idles and stalling at lights and a flat spot that i always had and had to be careful when pulling away in case the car stalled.

I have now changed the lambda which got the car running at the right mixture and yesterday changed the Idle Control Unit which i got of a certain Internet site, Once the Ecu adjusted itself by doing some crazy stuff it has all settled down now and has cured everything i had regarding my Idle problems this was a simple fix for £29.99

If it was not for the Lambda going faulty i would still be driving round with a dodgy idle i hope this helps anyone with similar problems.

Glad you got it sorted.

where did you get the Idle Control Unit (I assume you mean stepper motor?)

here is the link where i got the part

Link -http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260634938582&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

This sounds exactly like what is wrong with me cay - except I don't think a 2001 has an idle control valve :-( Can anyone advise?

Funkstar De Luxe said:

This sounds exactly like what is wrong with me cay - except I don't think a 2001 has an idle control valve :-( Can anyone advise?

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I'm pretty sure it is integrated into the throttle body. If so it is not available as a seperate item but grouped with the throttle body, available for £350+ oh and your old throttle body.

afroking said:

I'm pretty sure it is integrated into the throttle body. If so it is not available as a seperate item but grouped with the throttle body, available for £350+ oh and your old throttle body.

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I've changed the throttle body - no difference at all :-( What else is affecting idle?

Coil packs
Injectors
Lambda sensors
Exhaust leak
Inlet manifold leak
Air flow meter
Spark plugs
Fuel pressure
etc....

Checked all of those except fuel pressure. How is this possible? Is it normal to hear the fuel pump during normal driving?

You need to go to a garage with the official fiat/lancia/alfa examiner who also have the fuel pressure test attachment.

I heard my fuel pump all the time.

It doesn't need to be a Fiat garage, just any garage with a fuel pressure gauge that they can fit in the feed line.

HP. said:

It doesn't need to be a Fiat garage, just any garage with a fuel pressure gauge that they can fit in the feed line.

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Most fuel pressure test kits will not fit HP.

Really? All you have to do is take the feed line off and fit the gauge on a tee piece. The hoses are easily accessible on the cam belt side of the fuel rail.

If you do that, how is it possible to check for injector leaks?

Info which you could have shared earlier to clarify, thanks.

Testing the fuel pressure itself is straightforward.

HP. said:

Info which you could have shared earlier to clarify, thanks.

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I sense a hint of sarcasm, no need.

If you look at post #8 then you will see I mentioned injectors.

It would be foolish not to check the injectors for a leak.

As I said a garage with the Alfa/Fiat/Lancia examiner would be your best bet.

I prefer to use voltage insteard of visually looking at a dial, the voltage can be recorded (through fiat equipment for example) and studied at leisure.

It is an extremely useful tool...

Can those " idle control valves " not be opened and cleaned out?

early ones but not later (stepper motor) or fly-by-wire models