Notices
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

Old 09-07-2013, 12:50 PM
  #1  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
symblmusic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

Got a weird issue. I have a 94 civic DX with a y7 swap. Its converted to OBD1 using all the old d15b7 parts which include the ECU ( P06 ). Few things are new. Alternator, Injectors, fuel rail, distributor, ECT, rad fan switch, and the standard stuff like 02 sensor, plugs, wires, fuel filter, but the rest is pretty stock. I do have a short ram and cat back on it.

Here's the problem. I'm guessing ground? It idles higher when I turn the running / headlights on. Its also really hard to start. Timing is good ( that I know of tho it might be 1 tooth off. The white mark doesn't exactly sit right in the middle of the wedge when the head is in the 'up' position. ) cos it'll idle around 700 rpm or so once its started. I have to crank the hell out of it to get it to start tho ( I think the fuel pump is going out 'n I plan to change that anyways before my next swap ) It also gets a lil too warm before the rad fan kicks on ( According to my aftermarket temp guage - 215 approx. ) Cooling system leaks coolant somewhere, but I'm taking care of that soon when I do a cooling system overhaul ( new hoses, rad, etc etc )

I've searched the net up and down, and I've tried just about everything I can aside from ripping this thing completely apart and redoing it. I just want it to run and start reliably until spring, or until I decide to put the new swap in. Whichever comes first.

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Old 09-07-2013, 12:54 PM
  #2  
The Grumpiest
iTrader: (4)
 
grumblemarc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Oak Ridge, TN, USA
Posts: 28,333
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

Out of all that not one mention of how high the car is actually idling.
Old 09-07-2013, 01:01 PM
  #3  
Honda-Tech Member
 
B_Swapped93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto,Ontario
Posts: 9,721
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

You mean the high beams right ? if you do that as soon as you start it up that's normal if it jumps by 200rpms at first but it should go away not long after the car has run for a bit.
Old 09-07-2013, 01:08 PM
  #4  
Honda-Tech Member
 
crxtech87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Grimsby, On, Canada
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

Idle can be irratic if the coolant is low and the idle may change a bit anyways due to the extra electrical load.
Old 09-07-2013, 01:51 PM
  #5  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
symblmusic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

The idle jumps to about 1k. I also have the coolant lines bypass the IAC if that affects anything. The idle doesn't pulse like it would if the IAC was dirty. It just jumps when I turn the lights on. Found it odd.
Old 09-07-2013, 03:07 PM
  #6  
Honda-Tech Member
 
NZXTInerTia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

lol, this is completely normal. Electrical load is increased when anything is turned on creating more strain on the engine. The engine adjusts the idle to compensate. How is that odd what so ever?
Old 09-08-2013, 10:19 AM
  #7  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
symblmusic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

Because it didn't do it before. I thought that maybe the hard starting was related some how. That's why I posted about it.
Old 09-09-2013, 08:56 AM
  #8  
Honda-Tech Member
 
crxtech87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Grimsby, On, Canada
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

Test the battery
Old 09-13-2013, 12:50 PM
  #9  
Honda-Tech Member
 
strategy400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Victorville, CA, USA
Posts: 1,127
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Re: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on

IACV compensating for increased electrical load on the alternator. With the hodge-podge of parts you've bolted together its doing pretty good. The 1.6 is prolly over-revving a little with the increased intake intended for a 1.5 (the 1.5 prolly needs it to "step on the gas" a little more for the same effect).
Actually I have a stock B7 bored .020 over and it does the same thing with a lot of accessories running.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RAWRmy79
Honda Accord (1990 - 2002)
3
09-15-2011 06:03 PM
jdm_bones
Acura Integra
5
04-24-2006 02:57 PM
B16aSir2
Hybrid / Engine Swaps
0
12-29-2005 02:04 PM
92integraVTECgsr
Acura Integra
5
08-30-2005 10:39 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Really weird problem - Car idles higher when I turn the lights on



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:51 PM.