# Erratic idle on 1996 dodge avenger **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** avenger, dodge\ **Created:** [March 15, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/erratic-idle-on-1996-dodge-avenger/46125 "2010-03-15T02:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rymonroe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/22d042/32.png) [@rymonroe](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rymonroe)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/erratic-idle-on-1996-dodge-avenger/46125/1 "2010-03-15T02:53:20Z")
My 1996 dodge avenger started idleing erraticly and stalling sometimes if I dident maintain the idle with the gas pedel. I did some research and thought it might be the idle air control valve. I took out IACV and cleaned it and the problem was solved for a couple of days before it started doing it again. I then replaced the PCV valve and again the problem was solved for a couple of days before it started back up again. The next thing I want to do is replace the IACV but don’t want to spend the 75$ before im sure thats the problem. Does anyone have any idea what the problem is? Thank you for the help. ---
**Author:** ![joe71c10](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joe71c10/32/867_2.png) [@joe71c10](https://community.cartalk.com/u/joe71c10)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/erratic-idle-on-1996-dodge-avenger/46125/2 "2010-03-15T04:42:25Z")
Check for vacuum leaks as wellaround the intake, vacuum lines, etc. Is the check engine light on? If so, have you had the codes pulled? ---
**Author:** ![rymonroe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/22d042/32.png) [@rymonroe](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rymonroe)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/erratic-idle-on-1996-dodge-avenger/46125/3 "2010-03-15T19:17:03Z")
The check engine light has never turned on. How would I check for vacuum leaks? With soap and water?? Thanks for the help. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/erratic-idle-on-1996-dodge-avenger/46125/4 "2010-03-15T20:29:55Z")
The next time it idles erratically, tap on the IAC valve with the handle of a screwdriver. If doing this effects the idle replace the IAC valve. Tester ---
**Author:** ![joe71c10](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joe71c10/32/867_2.png) [@joe71c10](https://community.cartalk.com/u/joe71c10)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/erratic-idle-on-1996-dodge-avenger/46125/5 "2010-03-15T23:03:13Z")
I usually use WD40. Just spray lightly onto vacuum connections and around intake gasket(s). If the idle drops at a certain spot, there is a leak. Just be careful not to spray any electrical components or plug wires/coil packs. don’t want to start a fire ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/erratic-idle-on-1996-dodge-avenger/46125/6 "2010-03-16T00:00:14Z")
Do not use soap and water. The vacuum - as vacuums do - sucks stuff in. If you do that and have a leak you’ll be sucking soap & water in. Lots of people use carb cleaner or something like it. WD-40 is fine. I use an unlit propane torch. A good and wise mechanic will find out whether or not to bother with a vacuum gauge. My guess, however, is that you’ll get farther giving the IAC a whack as Tester suggested below. In addition to actually whacking the thing, also jiggle its electrical connector to see if anything happens. If it shows definite signs of being involved I would put a multimeter on it first to make sure the power supply is right (i.e. first verify that you don’t have a wiring problem. Autozone’s website has online repair manuals that should give you the voltage specs. Go there, register, plug in the cars info & find the repair info section.