skinney6

On hot days when the engine is warmed up it has a hard time keeping the idle. It likes to die, especially when the i've been driving for a few min and come to a light or something or when i've been running for a while, turn the car off and turn it back on within a few min (engine still hot). when the engine goes to settle into its lowest idle speed it just dies. i'll roll two of the windows up and down to put some strain on the engine hoping to kick in the idle control valve that seems to help sometimes.

Former User

CEL codes?

Is the ignition timing set to spec? If so, clean the IACV and then adjust the idle speed, if necessary. Next reset the ECU so it can relearn the idle speed control.

skinney6

i has code P0420 catalitic converter
i've cleaned the hell out of the iacv
i messed with the warm air idle screw a little but i'll mess with it some more
i couldn't tell if had any affect

Former User

Ignition timing???

What engine and transmission? Messing with the idle screw is not the proper way to adjust the idle speed. See FAQs sticky.

skinney6

oh, timing is fine
1.6L auto trany
FAQ's in yous signature?
i'll check out. I know it's not the proper way but i'm running out of ideas.
My AC compressor is going bad. I wonder if it's dragging on the engine
the iacv would compensate for the ac load but he compressor would have to be on huh?

Former User

How do you know? Give details.

D16Y7?

Yes

If you know it's not the proper way, then why would you be running out of ideas? A low idle problem is generally relatively simple to fix. You just need to provide precise information and be open to advice.

Do you only have a low idle with the A/C on? As I mentioned, give details.

skinney6

-I checked the timing with timing light as per the manuel
-D16B5
-not sure about the engine - how do i find out?
- i made warm idle adj as per the manuel except i dont have a tac
- it's had to tell what the idle is doing whith the a/c on because it makes the engine surge when it's on

i really should get a/c checked at the shop

Former User

Dang, I should have known the GX has a D16B5.
What idle adjust procedure did you follow as I couldn't find one for the D16B5?

Do you have an idle problem when the A/C is off??

It is normal for the idle speed to rise when the A/C is turned on.

skinney6

I just followed the chilton manuel
get engine to op temp, unplug iacv, use a tac (i dont have) and make 1/4 turns to the screw untill you get abt 600 rpm. shut off, unplug neg bat cable to reset the ecu

sorry, i'm at work. ie on this computer does not like this site. keeps crashing

a/c is always off cux the pumps not well

today is much cooler and i just made 20 mile round trip and she ran great!
seems like it's only on hot days

Former User

So are you saying that there is an idle problem ONLY when the A/C is running?

skinney6

no, i dont run the a/c because the pump is going bad
i wonder if the pump is binding up even when a/c isn't turned on causing excessive drag on the engine
sorry, i'm having a hard time putting this into words
my car can't hold idle, it dies when i've driving for awhile on a hot day.
when i stop at a light or something the rpss drop, then its stars to drop again to settle into its lowest idle speed. that's when it dies. when it tried to settle into that final lowest idle speed.

Former User

If there's no abnormal noise made when the A/C is off, then the A/C is unlikely to be the problem. If you aren't convinced, it's pretty easy to remove or cut off the A/C belt.

How many wires are in the IACV plug? Are there three or two?

Does the D16B5 lack VTEC like the D16Y7 engine?

Can you post a picture of your engine from several different angles?

skinney6

i'll post pic tomorrow
non vtec

skinney6

iacv is three pin

Former User

Thanks for the excellent pics! GXs are so rare. I've never seen a GX or its D16B5 engine. Is there a GX tag in the rear of the car?

To me, the D16B5 looks like the D16Y8 engine. And it does have VTEC - VTEC solenoid is directly above the distributor connectors in picture #4.

Does your GX have a regular auto transmission or the CVT?

To adjust the idle speed, did you follow this procedure:



If so, there are more idle speed related questions I need to ask you.

skinney6

glad you like em.
it has a GX tag. got it at a auction. State and county gov like to use them in fleets. i love it. very inexpensive to run.
regular auto trans
I'll look at the procedure. if i didnt follow it ill try it
that little solonoid right below the pcv is vtec?
wow, i had no idea.

skinney6

that's not what i did.
i haven't checked the PCV system.

Former User

Good. The procedure in the diagram I posted seems to be the best fit for your engine and transmission. You will need to hook up an external tachometer for the procedure because the cluster tach is inaccurate in the low rpm range where the engine idles.

Yes, right below the breather hose (air intake system to valve cover). The PCV valve and hose are attached to the oil breather chamber near the oil filter and run from there to the intake manifold. You may also want to replace the PCV valve because, when clogged, it can sometimes reduce the idle speed.

Former User

The diagrams posted below provide crucial information about the rare Civic GX. This information should benefit you and other owners of the Civic GX.

The diagrams show unique features of the GX, especially the fuel system (e.g., fuel injector relay, fuel pressure regulator, fuel tank internal solenoid, and fuel injector control by the PCM).

The last two diagrams in the next post additionally show that the Civic GX has an OBD2b ECU.

Former User

The GX has an OBD2b ECU. Here are the connectors and their pin outs:

skinney6

wow, i thought it was up on the valve cover. i'll replace it
is there an external tac you'd recommend?
one that is fairly inexpensive

Former User

Digital rpm read out is best:

I use my Actron CP9180 scan tool to read engine rpm, but it's not inexpensive.

Some multimeters also can read rpms. This would be a less expensive option.

Analog rpm read out is not as accurate but would work:

A basic tachometer can also be attached to the tach connector located in the engine bay near the driver's side lower corner of the windshield.

Former User

Make a separate thread if you want to troubleshoot the A/C problem. It's possible that it's just a compressor clutch problem, which does not require replacement of the entire compressor to fix.

B20b_civic_93

Might be a long shot here but have you tried to
enhance or retarded the distributer

skinney6

Damn! Thanks for the info!
I think everything is the same in the 98 GX as the 98 LX except for the fuel system.
Just FYI fuel injectors are sensitive to clogging and are expensive to replace.
Rockauto.com has some after-market that are less than dealer ($500) but still about $250 a piece.
There is a "return and rebuild" service for $30 that’s great but you have to catch the failing injector before it’s completely dies.