Dodge Journey Stalling Fix: Idle Control Valve Swap

Had similar issues with my 2015 Dodge Durango. Have some experience working on cars but needed professional help with this one. The symptoms were exactly like yours, unstable engine idle and stalling. Took it to a workshop after trying basic troubleshooting. They found the air intake system was heavily contaminated, affecting the IAC valve operation. The idle control issues were caused by restricted airflow through the system. The repair involved: Complete cleaning of the air intake system, Testing the IAC valve function, Adjusting idle control parameters, Final testing to ensure proper engine idle Total cost was 425€ and took about 3 hours to complete. Since then, the idle has been stable with no stalling issues. Before suggesting specific fixes, could you share: Current mileage, When was the last air intake service, Any recent work done on the engine, Other symptoms besides stalling, Does it happen only when the engine is cold or also when warm This information would help determine if your issue is similar and whether you might need the same fix.

Currently at 110220 KM and just had the annual service done last month. Your experience sounds very similar to what I am experiencing with the engine stalling. My throttle body and air intake were actually cleaned during the last service, but the problem persists. The engine idle remains unstable, particularly after the engine warms up. The stalling happens most frequently when the engine is warm, especially in slow traffic. I have noticed the idle speed drops significantly just before the engine stalls. Based on what you described, I might need more than just a cleaning since my air intake system was already serviced. Would still appreciate input from others who might have dealt with persistent stalling issues even after cleaning the intake system.

Thanks for providing those details. After my previous experience with intake cleaning on my Durango, I actually faced a similar situation where the stalling continued. It turned out the IAC valve itself was failing despite the clean intake system. When I went back to the shop, they performed a specific diagnostic test on the idle air control valve and found it was not responding correctly to engine idle commands. The valve was sticking intermittently, causing the unstable engine idle and stalling, especially noticeable when warm, just like your case. The complete IAC valve replacement solved the issue permanently. The repair cost was 280€ for the part plus 150€ labor. The replacement took about 2 hours. Since your symptoms continue after the intake cleaning and match the classic signs of a faulty IAC valve (dropping idle speed before stalling, worse when warm), I would strongly suggest having the valve tested. The fact that your problems are more pronounced with a warm engine is particularly telling, this is typical of a failing idle control valve. The annual service and clean intake eliminate the simpler causes, making the IAC valve the next logical component to check.

Based on what you shared, I think this has helped narrow down my issue. The symptoms perfectly match what you experienced with the faulty IAC valve, especially how the stalling gets worse when the engine is warm and the idle speed drops just before it dies. Since my air intake system and throttle body were already cleaned during the service but the problem continues, I will focus on getting the IAC valve tested and likely replaced. The repair costs you mentioned (280€ for parts and 150€ labor) seem reasonable for this type of work. I will schedule an appointment with my mechanic to specifically check the idle air control valve. Your experience has been really helpful in identifying the likely cause of my engine stalling issues. Will update once I get it fixed in case others have similar problems with their vehicles. Anyone else with direct experience replacing an IAC valve on a Journey, please feel free to share your repair outcomes.