Possible idle control valve issue?

azibux1 · 3 Apr 2013 at 21:10

Hi,

My brother has a 58 plate Audi S3 and only recently it has started not to idle smoothly, it is as if you keep gently pressing the accelerator and releasing it and the revs keep going up and down slightly on there own.

This does not happen when driving, only when idling

Am I right in saying this might be the Idle Control Valve just needing to be cleaned?

Is this an easy thing to access and clean? Or best taking it to a mechanic?

Brookert · 3 Apr 2013 at 22:32

Doesn't have an idle control valve. The throttlebody controls the idle, so have a look to make sure it's clean, it shouldn't be dirty on a car of this vintage. Could be a vacuum leak. For a car this recent, I would probably take it to Audi in all honesty.

azibux1 · 3 Apr 2013 at 22:41

Brookert said:
Doesn't have an idle control valve. The throttlebody controls the idle, so have a look to make sure it's clean, it shouldn't be dirty on a car of this vintage. Could be a vacuum leak. For a car this recent, I would probably take it to Audi in all honesty.

Ahh okay, I assumed all cars had an idle control valve

I think he'll probably get it looked at by audi or a mechanic then. It is going to Audi to get serviced soon anyway in a couple of weeks

Shouldn't do any harm driving it like this until then, right?

Brookert · 3 Apr 2013 at 23:04

No no real problems, as long as the engine light isn't on. Will just make it run a little rich, but probably won't be noticeable.

azibux1 · 3 Apr 2013 at 23:06

Brookert said:
No no real problems, as long as the engine light isn't on. Will just make it run a little rich, but probably won't be noticeable.

Okay thanks

Will get it looked at

yosamuel · 4 Apr 2013 at 08:00

My (much older) A3 had similar issues; whilst waiting at lights it would idle incorrectly, sounding as though it was about to cut-out then go back to normal.

Turns out it was just a dirty air filter.