I own a 97 Prelude. Ok. Before anybody jumps on me about this, I have searched and found everything on fluctuating idles and low idles but nothing on high idles. My car always idles around 1000-1300. There is no bouncing or anything like that. It just stays around there. Some people say to play with the idle screw and some people say not to cause doing that is gonna mess something else up.

Could someone please tell me exactly how to lower my idle. A picture or good description of the location of the idle screw would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

The idle screw is here on top of the the throttle body...


It will only bring your idle up/down about 200rpms, so if that doesn't fix it, you probably do have a vacuum leak. When was the last time you replaced your intake manifold gaskets? Mine turned out to be soaked in oil from the PCV system and leaking...

 

I just bought this car last week so I dont know the service history on it. I'm in the process of changing all the fluids and sensors and what not. The idiot that owned it before me had automatic trans fluid in it! It shifts through the gears sooo much better now that I put honda MTF in it. Thanks for the picture. So messing with this idle screw isn't gonna mess something else up is it? Thanks again

 

No, just go mess with it and see if you can bring down the idle enough for your liking...just don't give up trying to find the real cause of the problem.

 

Maybe the throttle cables stuck, give it more slack.

 

The cable actually has too much slack as it is. But that's a whole new topic. I'll get this car running tip top again soon.

 

yea adjust that and mess with the idle screw.

 

i have same car. mess with the screw. it will fix it

 

The idle screw fixed the problem. Now I just have to figure out how to adjust the cable slack. Thanks guys

 

there is a nut on the end of the cable right where it mounts in front of the intake mani adjust the slack from there

 

Thanks. I'll adjust the cable when I get home tonight. By the way....on the way to work this morning my idle is still too high. It was idleing last night around 800, and this morning it is back up to 1200. PLUS.....every now and then at stop lights the idle bounces from 1200 to 1800. It won't do it at every stop light. Mostly after getting off the expressway. Man I hate little problems like this.

 

Vacuum leak is calling your name.......

 

yea. check your lines

 

its your cold start valve that creates the vaccum leak most likley. There is a write up on this. Use the search button. Messing with your idle adjustment screw is going to create more problems.

 

valve adjustment?