No hoses connected to it or right near it, I might pull a few hoses around the throttle body and give them a clean.

 

Ok so I replaced the valve a few weeks ago and it was running smoothly without issues until a couple of days ago, now it's throwing the same code and running horribly (at times).

Any ideas on what to try? I might pull it out but it shouldn't be jammed up after only a couple of weeks.

 

I'm not familiar w/the 'plumbing' on the newer IACs but there should be a hose (or two) connected to it. I'd check them for 'gunk' that may be messing w/the IAC....it also has coolant lines connected to it (like the old style) make sure they are flowing freely.

 

I will add to that, The CEL came on this afternoon and stayed on most of the way home (15 minutes) where usually it'd come on once and go off when going downhill, changing gear with the CEL on it was noticeable that the IACV was sticking, revs wouldn't drop when coming out of gear like they should.

And firing the piston out, I did that but knew it may happen so I made sure I had a bag over it first to catch it.

 

Yeah, I've cleaned it and the throttle body as much as possible but moving it by hand is very near I possible. I'm going to pickup another one. Cheers.

 

Subaru Forester legacy outback impreza IAC Air Idle control valve

Check out this POST on cleaing it. (And attached 4ever.)

Do be careful not to fire the piston out of the barrel as you watch it travel in and out. Such was my plight and where the piston ended up as it fired out at 70 miles an hour, only God knows...Ouch!! $350 mistake.

The actual Subaru P/N might be: 22650AA192
This is for the 1999- 2004 USDM Foresters, Legacy, Impreza w/the SOHC 2.5 and 2.2 . EJ22 and EJ251 / EJ253. Some '00-01 Legacy use this one-22650AA21B:

 

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm looking at.

 

Mine looks like this:

Unless I'm missing something and that's the wrong valve?

 

That doesn't look familiar. But it is the IAC, per the part number - a33-661-r02.

Is your 2.5 a DOHC or SOHC ?

In the USA, the '99 Legacy Outback was the last year of the DOHC 2.5, the one's w/the common internal head gasket leak.

But down under may have gotten the same as the Forester - the 2.5 SOHC.

I'd get another one from a salvage/wrecking/used parts lot and try it.

Here's a pic of it installed on the throttle body:

 

If your IAC looks like this:

the valve should be movable. IF the valve won't move it's likely covered in carbon buildup ....but if you've cleaned it, I'm not so sure.

Td

 

no, I dont recall

 

Cheers, do you recall what it was like to move the valve manually? I'm guessing it should be adjustable by hand somewhat, mine isn't.

 

i replaced the IACV and that solved the problem.

 

Did you ever find a solution to this? My '99 Outback is throwing error code 24, I've pulled the IACV out numerous times and cleaned it but the error has returned. Manually trying to move it in and out is near impossible.

I'm not sure whether it's related to the IACV but my Outback is near impossible to start at the moment, It's not battery or Starter Motor issues either.

Any suggestions before I go and buy a new IACV? What is the IACV meant to be like when functional? Is it easy to move, should it spring out, etc?