Idle speed eratic

[Dave W]

I have a 1.8 Petrol, 2000 model. The idle speed has been problematic for a few months. Initially I took it to our usual mechanic and he decided to change the Idle Air Control Motor. The problem persisted, so I took it back and he cleaned something, told me it seemed to be ok, but it wasn't ok for long. I have taken it on myself to have a go, but I must stress that I know very little about mechanics. Having done a fair bit of research, I have learned about the Throttle Body, the Idle Control Valve and the MAP Sensor. It seems to me that my initial action should be to clean these parts. I have armed myself with a can of Throttle Body and Air Intake Cleaner and am ready to go in, trouble is I don't quite know where to go in. I am confident that I have identified the Throttle Body and I think I can see which part is the Idle Air Control Motor, so I will attempt to take those apart and clean them. I have no idea where the MAP Sensor is. Could anyone help me in locating this or offer any other advice please ?

[Tree]

Be very careful. I'm not up to speed with the berlingo (yet) but when I was in to my Ford Focus the small "reed" switch on the throttle body needed to be cleaned with care. They were very sensitive to what they were cleaned with, if at all you ever cleaned them.

One thing that did cause erratic tick over was the throttle position sensor. Again I must remind you that I'm not up to speed on the lingo yet so hopefully someone will chime in here and give some better advice.


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[Col]

Also check for air leaks around inlet area and vacume pipes including to servo. You can listen for a hissing noise with engine idling. Use a length of rubber or plastic tubing as a stethascope to help pinpoint any noise.

[Dave W]

Be very careful. I'm not up to speed with the berlingo (yet) but when I was in to my Ford Focus the small "reed" switch on the throttle body needed to be cleaned with care. They were very sensitive to what they were cleaned with, if at all you ever cleaned them.

One thing that did cause erratic tick over was the throttle position sensor. Again I must remind you that I'm not up to speed on the lingo yet so hopefully someone will chime in here and give some better advice.  


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Thanks Tree, I'll be very carefull. Won't be able to do it this week, work is getting in the way, very inconvenient, I'll do it next week and let you know how it goes.

[Dave W]

Also check for air leaks around inlet area and vacume pipes including to servo. You can listen for a hissing noise with engine idling. Use a length of rubber or plastic tubing as a stethascope to help pinpoint any noise.

Thanks Col, I'll give that a go as well, I'll let you know how I get on.

[ffrenchie]

I had the same problem with a Sportage before we got the Berlingo and it was the throttle position sensor. Before I fitted a new one it would rev up to 3000 rpm at the traffic lights then drop to almost stalling. The MAF sensor in the pipe between the air filter and throttle body can affect it as well, try disconnecting it and run the engine see if it levels off.

[Dave W]

I had the same problem with a Sportage before we got the Berlingo and it was the throttle position sensor. Before I fitted a new one it would rev up to 3000 rpm at the traffic lights then drop to almost stalling. The MAF sensor in the pipe between the air filter and throttle body can affect it as well, try disconnecting it and run the engine see if it levels off.

Thanks ffrenchie, mine idles anywhere between 900 and 3500 when It's having a funny 5 minutes, but 80% of the time it behaves, it's very intermittent. I'll have a look at those as well, I'll let you know how I get on.

[Dave W]

Success ! I exposed the throttle valve, removed the idle control valve, removed the MAP Sensor and removed all the electrical connections. The throttle valve and idle control valve were quite clean, so I just gave them a bit of a wipe with some cleaner on a cloth. I squirted all the electrical connections with some contact cleaner. The MAP Sensor was very manky, covered in oil residue, so this is the component that I suspect, I gave it a good clean with the Air Intake Cleaner and then left everything to dry for an hour. I put it all back together and Bingo ! It works, no more problem. Thanks Tree, Col and ffrenchie for your input and support, much appreciated.

[Col]

Well done and thanks for the feedback. It's nice to know the outcome of these issues

[Dave W]

My pleasure, and thanks again.