idle air sensor?

Idle Air Control Valve (IAC)

yeah. if you look at the throttle body underneath where all the piping is, you'll notice another passage between the plate and the intake. also, there is something resembling a stopper at the neck of this extra "pipe". the computer takes all the numbers like ECT (engine coolant temp) and all that stuff and decides if the motor needs more air to run better or to warm up faster (more air + more fuel= you get the idea)... and depending on how much air the ECM decides the motor needs, it can open the stopper minimally, or all the way, and everywhere in between.

how does the car act after it is at normal operating temps? (ECT on the dash shows "normal"...that'd be midway.. duh)