I was chasing a weird sound in my truck and after realizing it was under the hood searched some posts and found it is the IAC.
The sound is like a dying beast that's just loud enough to get anyone's attention within a few feet.
Anyway, I priced the IAC at Autozone and Checkers to find it at $150 and $110. I took a shot on ebay and found one that looks like mine with the application of my truck for a cost of $32. Description doesn't say new, can the IAC be rebuilt?
At $32 it looks a whole lot better than $110 but it seems almost too good to be true. Has anybody seen or done a rebuild on an IAC?

 

It could just flat out be used, not rebuilt. A lot of junkyards sell used parts on eBay. If you post the link to the ad we could probably give you a more definitive answer.

 

Here are a couple of listings. I have a 4.6 but I'm thinking it would be the same as a 5.4 right?



2002 2003 2004 FORD EXPEDITION Idle Air Control Valve:eBay Motors (item 190357499220 end time Jan-10-10 18:27:07 PST)


97 - 04 Expedition 5.4L Idle Air Control Valve AIRTEX:eBay Motors (item 390119846127 end time Jan-16-10 08:07:56 PST)

 

The good news is that both of those say "New" next to "Condition". However, the bad news is that the IAC for the 5.4 and the 4.6 are not the same.

Here's a listing for the 5.4 IAC
2003 FORD EXPEDITION Idle Air Control Valve

Here's a listing for the 4.6 IAC
2003 FORD EXPEDITION Idle Air Control Valve

As you can see, they have different part numbers.

 

Just my luck the 4.6 is almost twice the cost of the 5.4.

In trying to search for the cause of my problem I've seen posts from other users on different subjects and if their idle speed is mentioned I've seen anywhere from 550rpm to 650rpm. Mine was anywhere from 800 to 1,000 and would fluctuate but thought that it was normal.

I took off from the plant an hour or so ago and just to see what would happen I unplugged the pigtail. The idle was a smooth 650. In fact it was so smooth that I thought it was dying out as I came up to an intersection but the idle was so smooth and quiet I couldn't believe it. Could it be possible that this has been a long time problem? What exactly does the IAC do?

 

It's a valve that is basically just a small computer controlled throttle, not unlike the one the gas pedal manually operates. The difference is that the IAC only operates when your foot is off the gas and it opens and closes to regulate the idle speed. It is possible to take the valve off and clean it with carb cleaner. Many times this will solve a bad idle issue only because the IAC is still good, it's just that it's a bit sticky so the plunger doesn't move smoothly. At the same time you would make sure the two air passages that the IAC covers are nice and clean too.

 

Thanks alloro I appreciate your time and info on this.

I'll give the valve and inlets a good cleaning. Worst that would happen is I'm in the same boat I am now and a few minutes of my time is way cheaper than the cost of a new one.

Thanks again as always good help on this site!