Idle Motor Control Issues

[drivernuts]

Just finished getting my timing belt changed out on my '99 LS and the mechanic said my idle is a bit erratic. I didn't notice this until he mentioned it. The mechanic said I need a new idle motor control which comes as part of the throttle body. Not sure that is accurate since I have seen the control listed as a separate part on the net. In my searching I also found there is an idle air control which may be the same thing.

He cleaned the throttle body and tried to clean the motor control to get it to work properly but the cleaning didn't work. The idle is somewhat erratic and mostly I notice that the RPM's don't drop as fast as they should when I let off the gas. almost as if I was in cruise mode. The RPM's drop of course when I put on the brake.

For me, this problem doesn't rank up there with war, pestilence and famine, but I would like to start gathering some info so I know what to do and/or look out for when gathering parts.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[landar]

Well, you have Electronic Throttle Control which severs the mechanical link between the gas peddle and the throttle plate (among other things). There is an electric motor driving the throttle which gets its commands for the ECU depending upon the position of your foot on the gas peddle. Maybe the peddle sensor is on the fritz. It can wear out in certain spots. In fact, there might have been a TB at one point but not sure.

It is also possible that the mechanic did not properly clean the throttle body and the plate is still sticking. Did it idle erratically before you replaced the timing belt?

[drivernuts]

Thanks for the info...I didn't notice it until the mechanic pointed it out to me. I only had the car a week or so before I had the belt replaced so drove it very little.