Chrysler Repair: 00 2.5 V-6 idle air control fault code, 4 digit numbers, voltage gauge

Question
I was wondering if I can clean out the idle air sensor on this vehicle or do I have to replace it. The auto parts store told us that was the problem(code reader) Also at the time we were checking it out, the bolt on the right side of the alternator( possibly the positive wire) starting glowing orange. We were once again told we would have to buy a new alternator to fix that problem. Do you know if they are right or is it a wire we can replace?  Thank you for your time

Answer
Hi Shalon,
The idle air control motor (not sensor) has a couple of coils, thus 4 wire connections. Do you happen to know which code # the parts store recorded? You might be able to get it yourself using the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on", doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the the odometer window to see if the mileage reading changes to show any 4-digit numbers which are the fault codes. Let me know. It might be that local heating in that area may have melted some insulation on the wires and caused a short, rather than that the iac motor is faulty. Code for the iac circuit (either the motor or its wires) is 0505. If you have a volt-ohm meter you can check to see if any of the 4 wires is shorted to ground (shows 0 ohms resistance to the ground (any shiney metal surface of the engine) or shows 12 volts, either of which is a wiring problem. Otherwise you can check the resistance of the two coils by measuring between the two outer pinx and then between the two inner pins of the iac plug to see if the resistance readings are similar or not. If not, then a new iac motor would probably solve the situation.
On the wire glowing, that could be an issue with the alternator or it could be wiring problem such as a short circuit to ground or the wire being corroded and carrying too much current for its effective size. Tell me the color of the wire insulation and also is the voltage gauge reading in the normal range on the dash board or is the charging warning light illuminated?
You would do well to have a manual such as the Hayens #25015 that is very helpful in telling you how to change out these parts, and test them.
Roland
PS  Sorry for the delay but I just found your questionin the 'pool' to which it had been referred by the other expert.
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