So I was asking for help with this problem a few months ago, and now I'm back to trying to find the problem.

Our mechanic sprayed carb cleaner around the top of the intake manifold gasket area and the car shuddered like the engine was going to fly out of it. He suggested that either the gasket is on wrong or the nuts aren't tight enough. Now I know for a fact that I got the gasket on right, as there's only one way it could possibly go on. And I tightened those nuts to the head REALLY good.

I was testing the circuit at the harness connector and I found that there is no continuity between IAC connector pin #1 and G101 when there should be. Would the valve even still operate with this wire open? Or could there now be a vacuum leak where there didn't use to be one, seeing as I cleaned the throttle body before reassembly?

Any pointers are appreciated. This problem is driving me nuts!

 

What wire color are you testing for ground?

 

The No. 1 wire on the harness connector which, from what I could tell, was black/blue stripe.

 

You have the numbering backwards. The black wire should have continuity to G101. The blk/blu wire is the signal wire to the PCM.

 

What is the problem with your car?

 

The car idles a little higher than it should, and it occasionally bounces up and down for a bit and then smooths out. I tried replacing the IACV but it only made it worse. Our mechanic sprayed along the top of the intake and the car almost stalled. But it's a brand new intake manifold gasket, as I replaced all the upper end gaskets as part of a head gasket repair, and that gasket can only go on one way. And the mounting nuts to the head are really good and tight.

 

You have a leak. The source needs to be found and corrected before chasing other things.

 

The funny thing is, I sprayed along the top of the intake in the same area, and nothing happened. Trying to find a vacuum leak is a pain!