Idle Control Valve Alternatives

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

As above I'm looking for a possible idle control valve alternative, I have thought about removing it completely but cold starts could be a pig. My idle control valve at the moment is slow and lazy, I'm feed up with the standard unit having replaced it time after time. Should add this is on a 6 lump

[welshpug 1,666]

are you replacing with new original equipment quality items and are 100% sure that is the cause of the issue?

 

I have never needed to replace one.

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

never replaced with new if im honest.

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

I don't see why removing the icv would make cold starts any worse, if you unplug them it usually just raises the idle speed slightly but everything else remains the same.

 

I've junked the SAD on my car with mp3.1 & it starts just as well.

 

g

[welshpug 1,666]

its a gti6 lump Graham.

 

the 8v you can simply jack the throttle open further or wind out the air bypass screw, neither an option on a 6.

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

if i do completely remove the icv i can open the throttle on the throttle body to adjust the idle speed. ive checked service box and at £123 i dont think ill be buying new

[glenwah 20]

You can't just remove it, it will rev flat out as your leaving the bypass hole completely open, will need blocking off, even then it won't idle great, will be all over the place.

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

Yes I know I need to blank it off ha, I'm running omex ecu so it won't run all over the place.

[Anthony 1,003]

Depends how good the idle control via ignition advance is on Omex I guess - I've no experience of it to comment.

 

Emerald works quite well though without any form of ICV or SAD whenever I've set it up, and when it's all working as it should has been happy to start and idle on the button.

 

With regards yours being a pig, I wonder if you've over-reliant on the ICV and that's half the issue - I personally try to set it up so that it will idle well without the ICV, and the ICV is merely there for minor adjustment and supplying extra air for cold start fast idle etc. ICV's aren't the quickest acting things in the world, so if you're relying on it to keep an otherwise unstable idle going then it's never going to be a nice.

[petert 601]

Two things spring to mind. First, it may just need a clean. When they get clogged up with carbon they get very lazy. Run some carb cleaner through it, or better still, Subaru upper cylinder cleaner. It's magic stuff, approx $20 for a can. Second, your Omex may not be very good at controlling that type of ICV. The four wire type are usually brilliant. I've run them on Haltech's and never had any problems. Where as earlier 2 wire type are a pain. I'd talk to support at Omex about the settings.

 

If you do decide to remove it, the idle can be manually adjusted via screw once you block the hole. To help with cold starts, add extra ignition advance at low coolant temps.

Edited March 6, 2013 by petert

[Vili 18]

It probably is because of your settings in Omex.

Having said that does anyone know what pwm frequency should I use for GTI-6/XU10J4 type of ICV?

[petert 601]

As it's a four wire, stepper motor, it doesn't have a PWM frequency. That is only for 2 wire types.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

On my old mi16 with Gti-6 inlet on an emerald ECU, the I cv was using (mi16) was useless and therefore I unplugged it and it was perfect, idle, cold starts etc.

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

You can't just remove it, it will rev flat out as your leaving the bypass hole completely open, will need blocking off, even then it won't idle great, will be all over the place.

really?

 

My DTA set up runs without a ICV, bit grumpy for 10 seconds when it's cold/damp but fine otherwise.

[petert 601]

A table like this will help to improve idle at cold temps when not using an ICV or with TB's.

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

Thanks for the replies, I've spoken to guy at omex he wants to see a logging file but he also suggested to reduce the function on the icv so it's only really used for cold starts etc and use the throttle body to determin the idle speed.

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

Ah, now more becomes clear, its not on standard 6 management either.

 

its a gti6 lump Graham.

 

the 8v you can simply jack the throttle open further or wind out the air bypass screw, neither an option on a 6.

 

Yes, you can do it simply but I've had to do neither of these on mine yet it still starts first go & idles fine without any assistance.

 

g

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

Pretty much sorted now, reduced the icv function on the omex, it's now only used for cold starts now, throttle body now determins my idle speed. Much better and engine seems much happier.

[Vili 18]

As it's a four wire, stepper motor, it doesn't have a PWM frequency. That is only for 2 wire types.

 

Ok, then there's a difference between S16 and GTI-6 ICVs. I have the S16 one and it is three wire type and is PWM controlled.

Have you used any of those?

[petert 601]

I haven't used the S16 type, but yes, it's still PWM. Connect +12V to the centre, BAC to one side and BAC slave to the other side. If it works in reverse, then reverse the two outside connections. Bring the frequency right down until it starts to oscillate, the take it up until it stops.