I'm having some idling issues on my Malibu (among other things!) and after a bit of research it appears that it is probably a bad/dirty IAC. So I want to replace it, but would like to know if this is something fairly simple to access. I've seen photos of the location for other cars online, but don't have anything visual I can look at to locate it on my car.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

What engine do you have the 2.2 eco or the 3.4? If it's the 3.4 you may be able to clean the MAF and sensor and that may help. Go to www.grandamgt.com/forum and post the question (even search).

Here's a quick search result (http://grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77171&highlight=iac) This is on a 3.4.

And another (http://grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74335&highlight=iac).

the only engine available in a 2000-03 malibu was the 3100 v6. the IAC valve is pretty easy to access and take out. mounted right on the throttle body with two T-20 torx screws.

Well, it was an easy replace, but it didn't fix the problem. Let me explain it here and see if anyone has a clue was to what is going on.

The car was running fine. We moved, and spent an entire month doing a lot of highway driving. Near the end of the move, the car started to sound louder, engine-wise.

It sounded like it was straining, but there were no pickup issues (you gun it, it goes) and there were no gas mileage issues.

When it hits 40mph, that's when it gets loudest. After 50mph it's a bit "less stressed" but still is loud. It runs at 2RPM.

We replaced the IAC and it seemed to be a little better. RPMs went to 1 - 1.5. But, that didn't fix the problem. It is still "straining" and we're not sure where to go next. The engine light has never come on. any thoughts?

Interesting thing about the engine option. I thought the malibu was the same platform as the Grand Am/Alero. Oh well. I have no idea what else could be causing you issues, but I would still clean the MAF screen and sensor and see if that helps. Also, hit up grandamgt.com/forum. There are tons of people with tons of knowledge.

I'm gonna mention a couple of sites you might go to, there's one memeber that's on there regularly that could answer your problem and give you a run down on possible things to correct this issue, www.unitedmalibus.com and www.mpracing.org/forum . One problem though is that you need to be a little more precise in explaining this issue or make a video and post it.

Interesting thing about the engine option. I thought the malibu was the same platform as the Grand Am/Alero. Oh well. I have no idea what else could be causing you issues, but I would still clean the MAF screen and sensor and see if that helps. Also, hit up grandamgt.com/forum. There are tons of people with tons of knowledge.

Yes, the malibu still does share the "N" platform with the grand am/alero/cutlass. grand am/alero are slightly different from malibu/cutlass though. I'm sure I could have worded that better but you get what I'm saying I hope.


OP: try unitedmalibus.com. good site there.

also, did you do the learn procedure when you changed the IAC?