GunSamir

Hello everyone,
Since before yesterday, my 2004 Civic EXi, D15Y3 engine, 110000 km, started having unstable idle.
When it first started, I drove for about 80 kms, and right before arriving home it throwed a CEL. Also, when I release the gas pedal the rpm drops down to zero then up to about 600. I turned it off then restarted it, the CEL disappeared but idle is still low. When it is started, it goes up to 800 then drops to about 500 making vibrations, then up to 600- 700 rpm. If it is at idle then I press gass and release it drops to zero (almost stalling) then up to 600. Same thing when driving and pressing the clutch to change gear.
It did this for about a day then yesterday and today it was normal. Then this afternoon it throwed the cel again and did the same thing.

I was thinking it is because of the fuel because I had just fueled up a full tank unleaded (first time I use unleaded since I have it) but now I am thinking more it is the iacv dirty.

Do problems related to iacv start suddenly like this? I thought it is something that gets worse gradually.

Thank you in advance.

Boostpyro91

Thats possible, the iacv could be dirty - start there by cleaning that out. I had serious idle problems after hitting v-tec in my teg, after slowing to and idle it would pulsate from 1k to 2k rpm. it turned out my fitv valve was bad - replaced it and it worked perfectly, but who knows. Just do some research, it seems impossible to fix but no worries, its something stupid and minor im sure.

It Wasn't Me

As noted, start with checking/cleaning the IACV. It also wouldn't hurt to check the fuel pressure. When is the last time you have done any maintenance on the car? Plugs, filter, etc. ?

If the MIL indicator has turned off, there is still the possibility that the codes are stored in memory. If you don't have a code scanner, take the car to a local parts store and have it scanned. Many places will scan it for free. Then post the code(s) here.



Wait.. .. what?
If this is the first time you put unleaded gas in the car, what have you been using up until now?

GunSamir

I have removed the IACV and cleaned it. It was not very dirty though. Put everything back in place but the problem is still there. When first started at cold. It revs very low before going up to 1200 rpm (fitv is working fine I guess).
When warmed up, it idles between 700 and 800. However, if gas pedal is pressed and release, it drops down to below 500 making serious vibrations for about 3 seconds then it setteles toaround 700.
Same thing happens if I turn the steering wheel at idle. Rpm drops and sometimes it stalls.
Same thing when A/C is turned on then off.

May be the system requires some time after IACV cleaning to sets to normal behaviour.

Do you think of anything else that may be causing the problem?

Thank you.

GunSamir

I was trying to locate the connector that needs to be shorted for reading the malfunction code. I found a 2 pin connector under dash on the passenger side. It is not free it was connected to another connector. Is it the right one to short for reading codes?
For info, the Civic is a 2004 JHM ES8 model.

Thanks for the help.

It Wasn't Me

The connector you're looking for is under the dash on the driver's side, right next to the center console.

GunSamir

The car run OK for the whole day except the first start in the morning when it was cold. For the first 5 seconds when cold idle was too low and it vibrated a lot, after that no problem for the whole day. This afternoon, I let it sit for about 3 hours, it cooled down, and it started OK.

I hope this puts an end to the problem.

Thank you

GunSamir

Same problem when first start in the morning. Once warm, everything is OK. I drove it for about 100 kms no problem.

I have another question, does anyone know the code for the radio? It asks for a code after having removed the battery.

Thank you.

It Wasn't Me

A couple other people had relatively the same problem. Their car would not run well while it was cold and while it was warming up, but once it was warm it ran okay. The problem was one of the o2 sensors.


About the radio code:
That link can also be found in the FAQs

GunSamir

This morning the engine vibrated again on first startup until the FITV pushed the rpm to 1200. Right after that, and in less than 10 seconds from first startup I turned it off and then on, it starts OK no problem.

It looks like the IACV gets stuck somehow when the car sits overnight, but as soon as it gets released all the problems disappear. This is how I am looking at the problem now. Does anyone have other thoughouts?

I am planning to clean again the IACV as I suspect that it was not cleaned out properly last time especially on the sides where it rotates.

Aboiut this IACV, I would like to understand more how it works. Is is a valve that gets adjusted based on the signal received from ECU or does it work the other way around, meaning when it is manually adjusted it stays ther and it only tells the ECU about how much It is open?

Thank you.

portaman03

EGR?

GunSamir

Hello,

I have some videos showing the idle problem I was talking about.

This first video shows the first day when the problem started.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Gi3...eature=related

Notice on first startup how idle drops down to near zero then up to about 600 rpm hich is still low! then it dies.
On second startup idle is better, but notice how it drops to zero after it revs, and sometimes it dies. and at the end it died due to steering.

GunSamir

This one shows how bad it vibrates when gas is released

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK_0n3b69yg

GunSamir

And this third video was taken after cleaning the IACV. It got better escept on first startup in the morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Mdb2IPLQM

GunSamir

OK, here is my throttle body. Does this look like it has an FITV or it is just an IACV? I removed the one on the left and cleaned it thinking it is IACV. Now i'm thinking my problem of first start in the morning might come from the FITV, if I have one.












Another question: What's that sensor to the right of the throttle body?

Thank you

GunSamir

The IACV before and after cleaning

letsgocigs

That's TPS.
And ES8 does not have FITV.
Remove your IACV assembly from Tbody, clean it thoroughly, when you're done pour some in it & let is sit for a while. Also clean Tbody & everything attached to it. There's intake mani right underneath, take a piece of cloth dipped with gas & clean everywhere your hand can reach. Your engine has run some good numbers so should find enough in there to make you happy. Make sure your O2 & MAF are good.
That should get you going.

GunSamir

lazlong

It's the EVAP Purge Valve.

Canuck99

I think you are jumping in way to deep...Do an Idle relearn first. Check what code you have and go from there, if you had the Batt disconnected you need to re learn the idle, or you will have all kinds of idling and stalling issues...Also, I thought leaded gas was banned about 15 years ago? And yes what were you using before????

GunSamir

Tried the method of pressing buttons 1 and 6 then turn radio on, it gave some series of numbers. wonder if it is the serial number.

Now the help that I need is this:
We do not have official Honda dealers here in country, so i'm pretty sure no parts vendor can give me the code. If I post the S/N here, can anyone of you please call the dealer in his area and get me the code based on the S/N?

I appreciate the help.

Thank you.

GunSamir

Is anyone willing to help me on this radio code please?

Thabk you.

ken9

Damn.. Your engine bay very dirty. I think the dealer can give you the radio code.

GunSamir

You know, that is my whole problem. There is no local dealer here in country. Honda is not represented here. That is why I'm trying to get help here.

It Wasn't Me

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but are you not able to call a dealership? Even if it's not local, you should still be able to contact one. You would essentially be doing what you're asking one of us to do.


On a related note, your car should have come with a little plastic card (the size of a license or credit card) with the radio code on it.

If you go ahead and post the serial number, someone might look it up for you.