Vindicare

We have a serious problem with our idle in our Civic. When we start the car, everything seems fine. We let it warm up until the engine is at normal operating temp (about 5 minutes in this weather) and then we start the hear the engine sound like it's going to stall but immediately brings itself back up to it's normal RPM (I don't know what it is because we don't have a tachometer... Need to get one installed). My dad put a screwdriver up to the injectors to listen to them and he says that they sound like they go dead when the engine sounds like it's going to die and then they come to life again. It waits about 10 seconds tops and does it again. Doesn't matter what gear we are in (Manual) as long as there is no throttle, it will do it. If we give it throttle, it acts normal. I've been told many things from different people but we think we have it narrowed down to the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). We think the sensor may have gone bad and it's not reporting the right RPM to the ECU and the ECU is telling the engine to stall. Can anybody help me out with this? We really need to figure this out. If you need to know anything, let me know. I havn't worked on a Honda yet so don't expect me to know these terms i've been reading. -_-

Noeladams

Well do this and see what sensor or what may cause it! I have a 97 dx also but have never had that happen.

http://www.vtecnik-si.com/engine_code.htm

Vindicare

My CEL doesn't turn on, tho... should I still do this?

pornstarSR

i am having a similar problem too...have changed lots of sensors and have come to the same conclusion, the TPS is probably it....

but i have still to find a diffinate GOOD 02 sensor to test the theory

oh yeah and my cel doesnt turn on either

Noeladams

Your Cel??? I followed the instructions and it worked for me.

y1ng1ang

i have a 95 cx and it does the same and i've adjusted the cable on the throttle body but ends up the same as before.. oh well i get my swap in soon

Vindicare

I was told that if the CEL (Check Engine Light) doesn't turn on, that little trick won't work because there is nothing wrong with the engine. Out problem is that it only does this when it's at normal operating temp but we really think it's going to be the TPS more than anything.

OKSolSi

I used to have the same problem in my Del Sol, fixed it by resetting the ECU which resets the idle RPM. Open up your fuse box under the hood and pull the backup fuse, I think its #20. Leave it out for 5 mins. Put it back in and start your car and let it run for 5 mins, turn it off, turn it back on and go for a drive. Come back and let your car idle and see if it still does it, and if it does, you need to start checking components like the Idle Control Valve.

97hb

Air bubbles in the coolant, bleed coolant. Could also be the iacv, but that is for cold start up.

EvilPhu

I had a similar problem before, somehow it was my ecu, took me hella long to look for the freaking problem, and something just pop in to my head and took another ecu, pluged in and it was find.

Vindicare

The bottle of injector cleaner seemed to help it run smoother but the idle problem is still there. My dad's girlfriend wanted to take the Civic into Honda because the SRS light was on and she didn't like that. While it was at Honda, we asked them to just LOOK at the idle problem. They said it was the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) and they wanted $300 to fix it. Rip-offs... Does anyone know of any places where I can get a new IACV and where I can find instructions for replacing it? Thank you very much.

infinatenexus

you have a vacuume leak

BlackDeuceCoupe

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vindicare &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honda... said it was the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) and they wanted $300 to fix it...</TD></TR></TABLE>
That would be my guess too - IAC is bad. Also, this might sound stupid, but make sure your gas tank cap is screwed down VERY tight. I've seen a loose gas cap cause the problem[s] you describe...

Vindicare

I've filled my tank several times since and I always tighten it. Thanks for the idea tho. And no, it's not a vaccum leak. Honda checked all the lines.

infinatenexus

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vindicare &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've filled my tank several times since and I always tighten it. Thanks for the idea tho. And no, it's not a vaccum leak. Honda checked all the lines.</TD></TR></TABLE>
1. Just because honda checked it dosen't mean ****.
2. Unplug your IACV, if the simptoms don't change you have found your problem.

E-Rok

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by infinatenexus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you have a vacuume leak</TD></TR></TABLE>

why are you so positive when its probably not even the problem? i have the rolling idle and I definately dont have a vaccuum leak.

infinatenexus

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rewsnaeht &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

why are you so positive when its probably not even the problem? i have the rolling idle and I definately dont have a vaccuum leak.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats the simptom aof a vacuume leak on a Honda. Go loosen the bolts on your throttle body,, and watch how it will idle

slvrcivic97

aaaaaaahhh...I had that same problem with my 97 dx.......I think it seemed to go away when I had my mini-me swap done...but not sure...good luck

otakueric

wheres the iacv?

Vindicare

It can't be a vaccum leak because it ONLY does it when the engine is warm. If it was a vaccum leak, it would do it all the time, yes? Plus, Where is the IACV? I'd like to try that trick, please.

pornstarSR

iacv - idle air control valve

its on the throttle body, its got 2 hoses coming off that run coolant to it...

Vindicare

Ah ha! I unpluged it and the idle problem went away! Success! Now time to find a new one and some instructions...

BlackDeuceCoupe

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vindicare &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ah ha! I unpluged it and the idle problem went away! Success! Now time to find a new one and some instructions...</TD></TR></TABLE>