OK, took off the throttle body to replace the fuel charge harness today. "While I was in there", cleaned the throttle body with copious spray solvent. Coating of black gunk disappears from throttle body and butterfly valve. Put it back together and it won't start.
Three tries, then I push the gas pedal while cranking and it catches, runs, as long as I have the gas downn, dies when I let it up.

Searched on IAC, sounds like the proper symptoms. However I ran the code scan and got a 'system passed' - no active codes.

SO the question: Could the gunk from the TB be washed down and gum up the IAC? (not sure where the IAC is located relative to the TB).

Also the Ford manual says DANGER DON"T CLEAN YOUR IAC WITH SOLVENTS! Could the TB spraying have washed down into the IAC and killed it? (BTW is that warning hogwash?)

Or is the IAC completely isolated from the TB.

Also, the FAQ for TB cleaning says you may have to start with the throttle pusehd down until it settles down, if I've run it like that for 4 or 5 seconds and it still died, should I assume there's a larger problem?

Thanks!

'95 Contour GL, Zetec/ATX Repairs: * wheel bearings * sway bar stop * CV joint * alternator * shift interlock * heater tube * VSS * tensioner * ingition coil * wire harnesses * ball joint * Why do I still love it?