How Many Years Does an Idle Speed Motor Last?
2 Answers
The lifespan of an idle speed motor is consistent with that of the car, meaning it lasts until the car is scrapped. Under normal circumstances, the idle speed motor does not need to be replaced. The idle speed motor is a component that controls the idle speed of a vehicle and is inherently not prone to failure. Therefore, there is no precise or uniform answer to the lifespan of an idle speed motor. If you need to clean the idle speed motor, it is essential to go to a professional auto repair shop or a 4S store and have it cleaned by professionals. Cleaning it yourself improperly can easily lead to issues. If the idle speed motor is damaged, it can cause intermittent idle stalling, where the engine sometimes stalls at idle but runs normally after restarting. This situation can have certain impacts on driving. For example, if stalling happens to occur during emergency braking, it can cause significant hazards. Once the engine stalls, the brake vacuum booster will not function, and the power steering system will fail. Combined with the driver's panic, this can easily lead to accidents.
Speaking of the lifespan of idle speed motors, based on my over ten years of driving experience, they generally last about 7 to 10 years, but it's not set in stone. In cities where traffic jams are frequent, idling tends to accumulate dust, and some fail within 5 years; those driven more on highways can last up to 12 years without issues. The key lies in maintenance—like cleaning the throttle body every two years to prevent carbon buildup from jamming the motor, and regularly replacing the air filter to reduce dust intrusion. Don't ignore signs of unstable idle speed—if it fails, the engine will shake, affecting safety, as I've learned the hard way. Overall, prevention is better than repair, and a bit of proactive care can save you several years.
