qjoshh

Tell me more about "replacing the IAC as close as you can to the initial settings". On my model (again, 1998 Subaru Outback 2.5) it looks as if this would have to be done electronically. How did you do that?

A warning to all those considering working on or even CLEANING their throttle bodies: As noted in a previous thread, I recently cleaned the throttle body on my 1998 Subaru Outback... the Subaru dealership recommended this as a part of their 150,000 mile service, but I was unwilling to pay $500 for the entire package, so I opted to do as much of it as possible myself. Having previously cleaned the throttle body on my 1990 Dodge Dakota with good results, I simply bought the can of cleaner, exposed the throttle body, and cleaned away. The car began idling at 2500rpm after that. I checked all hoses and any other trouble spots that I (or anyone else) could think of; with no signs of improving after a week, I saw no option but to take it to the dealership. $150 later, the mechanic tells me not to tamper with the throttle body because it is "factory set", and that it took him two hours to recalibrate it. How can this be? Is the throttle body THAT intricate on these models? Now I'm gunshy... what other seemingly routine procedures should I beware of performing?

Here's what I have so far... 1) A Subaru dealer told me that this is NOT a computer issue, contrary to what came up on another forum. 2) Suspicious that the plugs might have been the problem, I put the old plugs back in... same problem: still idling at 2000-2500rpm. It does not go down, even after sitting at idle for several minutes, or after driving for some time. 3) Of the possibilities listed so far, that leaves a vacuum leak as the other possibility. I have checked all hoses... everything appears to be in place. What else can the home mechanic do to diagnose and/or repair in this situation? These are seemingly innocuous repairs that I've performed multiple times on other vehicles in the past... strange that this one should go so wrong...?

A reply on another forum suggested that it might just be the ECU readjusting to new parts after having disconnected the battery, and that it should recalibrate itself after a couple of days. What's your take on this?

I have a 1998 Outback. I just changed the plugs and the PCV valve and cleaned the throttle body... now it's idling at 2200rpm (normal 600-800rpm)! What did I do that might have caused this to happen? From what I've read it looks like there's no way to manually adjust the idle speed on this model. Any suggestions?