salimshah

Here is how it is all supposed to work

1. Many sensors send the signals to ECU which in turn sends appropriate voltage to IACV part of the coil.

2. The electromagnet moves the slug to open appropriate amount of air needed.

The DIY shows how to make sure the slug can move freely under the influence of the magnet.

You mentioned that the slug was stuck and I wanted to make sure it can move freely.

If the source of your problem was stuck slug then your problem should go away..

We can discuss the next if things fail.

If the coil and the slug is messed up, a new IACV will fix it.

If the sensors mentioned in 1 or the ECU or the wires to the IACV are bad.

Salim

dbarber45

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I understand the process much better now. I'll be able to test how well it starts tomorrow morning as the temps tonight are dipping down to a hard freeze for about 6 hours. Again, thanks for the detailed informative explanation.

dbarber45

I am happy to report that a cleaning of the IACV with throttle body cleaner did the trick. At least for now the car is starting on the first turn of the key in ignition and I am not experiencing any hesitation or engine dying when putting the car in gear. It strikes me as strange that I could have had IACV problems since it has only been around three months since I did remove and performed a thorough clean using the DIY post on CL. But I did. The slug was definitely not turning freely when the mechanic and I inspected it yesterday.
Thank you Salim and Hypervish and all the other forum members who made suggestions. Knowing, as they say, is one-half of the battle. A little knowledge of where to begin your problem solving is PRICELESS.