Petrolhead159 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 hi all, need some assistance with my 2003 N/A 2.0L Forester, I keep getting P0159 fault code, I have taken out the Idle Control Valve solenoid & cleaned it 4 or 5 times now, fully cleaned the throttle body twice with a bigger clean at the weekend along with cleaning the K&N filter (didn't re-oil) & air box.I don't think i can get it any cleaner so after some guidance as to what to do next, new solenoid?Car performance is fine & no changes in economy.Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlag Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Please don't take this the wrong way, but, from the comments above, I'm thinking you have actually cleaned out the throttle body and the valve attached to it. If so, that's the throttle position sensor. The idle control valve is further down the manifold, passenger side. If I'm wrong and you have cleaned the idle control valve several times with no effect, it's probably time for a new one as it's the electronics inside it that won't respond to any amount of cleaning. Although, if it has no effect whatsoever on the running of the car, it's not an urgent job. Have you cleared the code after each time you've cleaned it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Hi Tlag, thanks for your reply, ok ive done this job... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-7eJOC7bM then ive also fully removed the airbox, started the car & sprayed carb & throttle cleaner into the buttlerfly valve on the throttle body (whilst keeping it from stalling). This is how ive always cleaned them, so any more guidance would be much appreciated. Yes, I have cleared the code each time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlag Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Ok, the video won't play for me but from the still picture, it looks about right. There is a test you can do on the solenoid to find the voltage but I've never done it. I've always just replaced the unit. If it's an electrical problem, cleaning won't help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Thanks Tlag, do you just get an eBay jobby or go to Subaru? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I'd go genuine parts try www.importcarparts.co.uk they are ooads cheaper than dealers and normally arrives next day, they also have a shop on eBay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlag Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Yep, agree with above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 excuse the language but holy moly are they expensive!thanks for the guidance guys, appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 See if you can get one from a breakers mos places will test stuff before sending it out. Save some money. How much is the unit new ? I know mines around 50 from subaru so I'm guessing it's going to be the same or more :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 See if you can get one from a breakers mos places will test stuff before sending it out. Save some money. How much is the unit new ? I know mines around 50 from subaru so I'm guessing it's going to be the same or more :-( on parts Gateway atm, not tried Subaru dealerships themselves only looked at eBay (£50) & importcarparts (£300+) I'm hoping importcarparts is wrong, they do not list my model exactly only turbo editions, so hoping mines a cheaper edition. going to ring Subaru tomorrow i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Sorry I was typing on my phone ment to say a new on for mine from subaru was 350 it was slightly cheaper on the web but still a massive hit to the wallet :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 ok thanks Stanton, will see what tomorrow brings i guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 taken a gamble & bought a ICV from Parts Gateway, fingers crossed!just reading a couple of guides that popped up on google it fully suggests that its certainly faulty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Have you managed to change it yet mate ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 waiting for Mr Postman to pop it through my door, will post up if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Ah sorry I thought you had it yesterday durr ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 replacement ICV arrived today, fitted it & reset CEL…fingers crossed, so it seems good, so much so it doesn't lurch & i hadn't even noticed that it did until fitting this replacement ICV.I must have got used to the car doing it. should know by the weekend if it has solved the CEL issue, seem to be a good service from Parts Gateway & supplier Nippon Autospares from Derby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 update, started this morning from cold & from the off the car revved & held at 3k revs, this fluctuated for the first mile but generally holding the revs high, then started to settle & then engine light came on.Im hoping its just bedding after the ICV being sat on the shelf for a while, will give it until the weekend & see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Hi mate, did you reset ecu after changing part ? May be worth starting car from cold and letting it warm up for 5-10mins and observe the idle. Did it start high before ? Maybe the car's throwing more fuel into the mix on start up to try and compensate for the fault before ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Morning Stanton, I never reset the ECU only cleared faults...I am hoping its just learning. it never started high before, well used to hover briefly around 1.5KIts sitting all day while im working so see what it does this evening & may disconnect the Battery when i get home & leave it off over night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 drive home was a PITA, revs holding high most of the way so the car was really difficult to drive.got home & the part numbers don't match, same physical size but seem to behave differently.original is 661 R02 F3462H New is 660 R00 F1388N emailed the company informing them of this & hoping they will come up with something tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 !Removed! [emoji35] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Did you manage to get the part swapped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 yes part is swapped, correct part number & don't want to tempt fait but its been on for 1 to & from work trip. I had best give it a week really.fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead159 Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 engine light came on this morning, same fault code showing. I have a distance where it seems to more commonly come on, about 3miles up the road slowing from 50 to 30mph, as soon as i dip the clutch to drop down to 4th gear CEL will come on. Do i base it on being a faulty used ICV or something else? since having this replacment fitted I have done 1 healthy commute & then flashed up CEL on 2nd, thats similar results to my original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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