Jeep Idle Air Control Valve?

JEEPGC77

MEMBER
1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
191,000 MILES

I haven't driven my car (1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo) for about two days, it's been very cold out and I went to start the truck this morning. The engine cranks and right when it sounds like it's going to fire it dies. The only way I can get the engine to run is if I lightly press on the accelerator, and keep it there around 2k RPMS once I take my foot off it dies again. I suspect it's the Idle Air Control Valve so I went and got come carburetor cleaner and cleaned it out.

In the process of detaching the air sensor(link deleted. Not allowed) from the carb/valve I lost one of the screws holding it in place. And now it's a little loose and my engine still doesn't idle/start, could it be that being loose is now causing the engine not to start?

Also, I had my oxygen sensor replaced a month ago, being that one day my car would not start after work one night. And when I would first start the engine I would have to take my foot off the gas and back on so I wouldn't stall for only the first quarter of a mile. Thoughts? Could it be the oxygen sensor acting up again?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Oxygen sensor will not cause a no-start unless it is shorted, then it will cause a fuse to blow. It doesn't even do anything until it has reached 600 degrees.

Holding the gas pedal down about 1/4" to keep the engine running is typical of what happens after the battery was disconnected or run dead. The Engine Computer loses its memory. It must relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when it must be in control of idle speed. You also will not get the nice idle flare-up to 1500 rpm for a couple of seconds at engine start-up.

To meet the conditions for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.