The idle air control valve on the 2001 Ford Windstar can be found on the top of the upper intake manifold next to the throttle body. It is one of the few idle air control valves that cannot be cleaned but must be replaced when it stops working. The idle air adjusts the idle speed in fuel-injected vehicles, including the Ford Windstar. The power control module (PCM) sends a duty signal to the idle air to tell it how much to open to allow air to bypass the throttle plate so the vehicle can maintain idle speed.
Unplug the wiring harness connector on the idle air control valve.
Remove the two bolts that hold the idle air control valve onto the intake manifold with the appropriate socket. Pull the idle air control valve off the manifold.
Install the new idle air control valve onto the manifold then tighten the bolts firmly. Plug in the wiring harness connector.
