My check engine light comes on for several days, then goes off for a trip or two, and then comes back on. I had Autozone pull the error code, and it was an Idle Air Control Valve error. They cleared the error but it came back on the next day. I find this surprising for my '04 imperza ts sport wagon, w/ only 40k miles.

 

Any advice besides take it to the dealer and shell out $400 for a new valve? btw, the car idles fine and runs smoothly. Maybe it just needs a clean (?)

 

Also, my seatbelts squeak pretty loudly when they are pulled? Anybody else have this problem?

What is the exact error code they pulled, i.e. P0123? I pour redline SI-1 injector cleaner into my IAC hose once in a while to clean it up; haven't had any issues with doing that (yet!). Maybe you have a vacuum leak somewhere? The IAC might be as closed as possible but the vacuum leak provides enough air to keep the idle too high?

Thanks for the tip. I'm a little strapped for cash, any possibility of long term or more serious damage if I don't fix this now?

Well the potential damage depends on what the problem really is. If it's a vacuum leak, you're sucking in unfiltered air someplace then and depending where the leak is some cylinders may end up running rich and some lean and then there's exhaust temps and stuff. If the IAC is just sticky, that might not be as big a problem.

See if this may be covered under powertrain and/or emissions warranty.