How to Install Zx2 2.0 Idle Air Control

by Dan Ferrell

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The idle air control (IAC) valve in your Ford Escort ZX2 2.0 sport coupe controls idle speed and supplies air to the engine at idle through your car's computer. If your ZX2 IAC valve fails, the computer will not be able to control engine rpm at idle, you will have a hard time starting your Escort in cold weather and idle speed will fail to decrease in warm weather. Solve the problem by installing a new air control valve yourself in less than an hour with a few simple tools.

Removing the IAC Valve

Step 1

Go under the hood and detach the negative (black) batter cable using a wrench.

Step 2

Remove the air cleaner outlet tube, which is part of the air cleaner assembly that houses the air filter cleaner. This will give you better access to the idle air control valve. Use a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 3

Locate the IAC valve and unplug its electrical connection. The IAC valve is located to one side of the throttle body, which connects to the air cleaner outlet tube you removed in the previous step. The air control valve is a small, aluminum cylinder, about 3 inches to 4 inches in length, with a metal triangle on each side of the upper part of the body and an electrical connector at the bottom. Two mounting bolts hold the IAC valve in place on the throttle body.

Step 4

Unfasten the two air control valve mounting bolts using a ratchet, short ratchet extension and socket.

Step 5

Remove the valve and gasket from the vehicle.

Installing the IAC Valve

Step 1

Clean the throttle body mounting surface carefully with a plastic scraper, if necessary, to remove traces of gasket material. Be careful not to gouge the mating surface to avoid an air leak around the valve.

Step 2

Position the new air control valve over the throttle body along with a new gasket and start the two mounting bolts by hand to avoid damage to the threads.

Step 3

Torque the valve mounting bolts between 71- and 97-inch pounds (8-11 Nm) evenly and gradually using a torque wrench, short ratchet extension and socket.