Idle control valve or TPS?

[VTS123]

My VTS has developed an idle problem whereby it often takes quite a while for the revs to drop to normal idle speed. They will sometimes intially be about 1500rpm but drop to normal after about 15 seconds, or be about 1000 for about the same amount of time before dropping to the correct 850.

I am 99% sure it is due to either the idle control valve or throttle position sensor (TPS), the reason being that I removed both for cleaning (using WD40) and it has actually made the problem worse! It's either that the idle control valve is taking a while to close or the TPS is taking a while to register the correct trottle position.

I don't want to replace both as they are quite expensive.

Also, does anyone know if they can only be bought from Citroen?

[spencer_cammedvts]

alright mate. have you tried adjusting the throttle cable screw? sometimes they can "unscrew" themselves slightly with time. dont think it is the idle control valve mate as that doesnt work untill the revs drop below 1050rpm and if its idling at 1500 then the icv hasnt even started to work yet. so that eliminates that. it may be your tps but if you try altering your throttle cable via the screw on your throttlebody you will know if the tps is woking correctly as the adjusting of the screw wont affect the idle if its faulty

hope this helps? either way its doing it because its getting slightly to much air in.

[VTS123]

That's useful information, thanks. I haven't got a socket that fits the adjuster screw at the moment but I will try that when I have. Thanks again

[Seery_VTS]

Im having the same problem with my vts only mine sits on 2000rpm from time to time, then when u press the accelerator the revs initially drop then pick up. also sits on 1500 rpm aswell. quite anoying.

[VTS123]

I also wondered if it was the MAP sensor causing it. If the bits weren't so expensive I'd change them one by one. I know you can get a pattern MAP sensor, Facet make one, and they're about £50 but £50 is still a lot to waste if it makes no difference!

[gibs-rallye]

have u not got someone near by with a vts who could trial fit the sensor from there engine to diagnose the problem. if that fails scrap yard mission strip a few sensors and only tell them u got 1 or 2 put the others in ur pocket out of sight.

( i do not condone theft from a scrap yard if u decide to do this it is on ur own shoulders) lol

[VTS123]

Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a VTS to try swapping sensors. I do keep an eye on my local scrappy but whenever a VTS crops up in the yard, which isn't very often, the whole engine has been taken out! I've had a thorough look over other cars in the yard to see if any others have the same sensors but haven't had any luck.

[Ben_L]

i had a similar problem, i squirted some gt85 in the conectors on the coil pack and idle control valve and ht leads. it seemed to have done the trick so far. thats on a 1.1 though

[VTS123]

Sounds like a good one to try, Saxmanic. Can't do any harm. Thanks. I was also going to remove and clean the flywheel sensor and see if that made any difference