How does the pintle come out? Do I just pull really hard, or is there a trick to it?

 

Rock it back and forth as you gently pull on it...and be careful you don't loose the spring under it.

 

An easy, but potentially risky way of removing it is to remove the connector, unscrew the IAC from the throttle body, reconnect the electrical connector, and place the connector into a plastic bag with the pintle pointing toward the bottom of the bag. Install a jumper between the 'A' and 'B' terminals of the ALDL, tunr the ignition ON (but DO NOT start the engine), and allow about 10-20 seconds for the IAC to fully extend and drop the pintle.

That sometimes doesn't work if the pintle is really dirty or the spring is weak. There is also a risk of losing some of the parts if the catch bag is not secure. Rocking it back and forth while lightly pulling is a good method, since you have to install it in a similar manner, and will get practice by removing it that way.

 

Great. Thanks a lot.