After a few minutes of driving, the red "PGM FI" light illuminates. Since the car ('86 Accord hatch) has difficulty starting with about 1-2 gallons left in the tank, the fuel pump is suspect. Would a bad fuel pump or clogged filter trip the "PGM FI" light?

Also, the idle surges 500 - 700 RPM. At a stop light, idle speed flucuates between 1300 - 2000 RPM. However, with the a/c activated, idle stagnates normally. Would this indicated a fauly idle air control valve, or be somehow related to the fuel system problems.

Thanks!

 

What code are you getting on the computer. I think that the 86's may be like the 86 Civic SI in that you have 1 to 4 leds on the computer that light up , or flash, codes when the PGM FI light is on telling you why the light on the dash lit up.

 

Is the car getting a little hot that could make it lope( the R.P.M. going up and down) mine did, and the car will idle high when it is warming-up now if it idels down to 1300 I think that is still high. Now about the PGM-FI light I think it is cheeper to get the fule line flushed, and if that doesn't solve the problem then I would go for the fule pump.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner, so can't pull codes.

Regardless of engine temp, the motor surges. So would a bad fuel pump trip the light a cause the idle to surge? Thanks!

 

Hmmm, on later cars you can get the check engine light to flash the error code by jumping the maintenance jumper, but I don't know about 80s models.

 

fast idle valve is bad

 

I don't think that'd explain the "PGM FI" light. Sounds like the 3rd generation version of the CEL, and fast idle control and thermo valves don't trip CEL codes for us. Actually, i think i have seen codes in the Helms, but never seen a CEL on cars having problems with fast idle.

 

it could be a combination of both, but it also could be affecting the IAC as well to trip the code.....

 

So a bad fast idle valve adverselty affects the IAC, tripping a CEL?

Either that or the fast idle valve is bad in conjunction with another problem.


BTW, how much does the FAV cost? Vendor recommendations? Thanks again for all the help!

 

Check out http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com for parts or http://www.hparts.com if you have the part number.