Idle Air Trim

Idle air trim is designed to adjust the idle air control (IAC) calibration to correct for wear and aging of components. When the engine conditions meet the learning requirement, the strategy monitors the engine and determines the values required for ideal idle calibration. The idle air trim values are stored in a table for reference. This table is used by the PCM as a correction factor when controlling the idle speed. The table is stored in keep alive memory (KAM) and retains the learned values even after the engine is shut off. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is output if the idle air trim has reached its learning limits.

Whenever an IAC component is repaired or cleaned, or a repair affecting idle is carried out, it is recommended that the KAM be reset. This is necessary so the idle strategy does not use the previously learned idle air trim values.

To reset the KAM, refer to RESETTING THE KEEP ALIVE MEMORY (KAM) . It is important to note that erasing DTCs with a diagnostic tool does not reset the idle air trim table.

Once the KAM has been reset, the engine must idle for 15 minutes (actual time varies between strategies) to learn new idle air trim values. Idle quality will improve as the strategy adapts. Adaptation occurs in 4 separate modes. The modes are shown in the following table.