Hello,

I have a 2002 Stratus R/T (3.0 engine) with 57,00 miles on it. The car has been sitting for a few years and is not on the road. I've removed the fuel pump and removed all the old gas and replace it with fresh. The problem that I'm having , is that the car will " Only Start When I Step On The gas pedal". It will continue to run as long as you hold down the gas pedal, but as soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal the car stalls out.

My next step was to replace the air idle control valve, to see if this would solve the stalling problem. Now here's my next issue , I went to replace the contol valve but was only able to remove 2 of the 3 phillip screws. I'm not able to remove the one screw on the bottom toward the firewall. I've tried everything... I'm almost tempted the cut the whole control valve out.

Any suggestions on how I can get this screw out?

 

Is the throttle body off the car? They are small screws that like to strip out. When off the car youll have access to either use a small hacksaw to cut a groove for a flathead screw driver, or grab the head with some vice grips.

The OEM IAC is expensive, and the aftermarket ones are hit or miss. You might try just unplugging it and see if anything changes to see if thats the problem. You could also have a bad mass air flow sensor. Dont try to clean it, you'll damage it if it is good.

 

Thanks for the reply!
I wound up taking a small flathead screwdriver and scoring the ear on the IAC. Once I did that, I pried the IAC and the ear broke allowing me to remove the valve. I then sprayed the rusted screw with penerating oil and removed it with a vice grip. I clean the throttle body and installed the new aftermarket IAC. The car started right up and Idled great. Thanks again!