Warm Idle RPMs is Low on 2000 Honda Civic LX Automatic 1.6L SOHC

My car's warm idle rpm's is low - below 200 rpms and sometimes very low all the way down to close to 0 rpms. I have replaced the air filter, the PCV Valve, changed the oil and filter, replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and distributor cap and rotor - and I still have low rpms when idling and the car is warm. I am not sure what to check next - maybe the fuel filter, fuel injectors, or the timing, or the the warm idle speed? Please advise? Would an exhuast leak cause this problem?

Finally, after removing the pcv valve, what is the best way to make sure it is seated all the way in when putting the new one in?

 

just turn the idle up

 

n MY car, it's either too high or too low.. I'm stuck in the same boat


EDIT.. I re-read the post and damn.. no I'm not that low in RPM but...err..

 

How do you turn the idle up?

 

look next to your throttle body there is a flathead screw... that's your idle screw

 

its at the back of your intake box. yours a d16y7 right should be at the back. it might have like a lil plug cover on it. take it off and you a a flat head style screw. have your car on when you adjust it.

 

do you think someone can post a picture of where it is at?

 

i would but i'm painting my car right now n can't exactly pop the hood with wet paint

 

i had to unplug my IACV b4 adjusting idle or it wouldnt do anything when u turned screw just so u know. When u unplug IACV ur rpms should drop if they dont then ur IACV (idle air control valve) is prob. bad If u know someone or can grab a chilton, helms, etc. manual it will help u out alot also search idle threads there's a ton they helped me.

 

I got the Chilton's manual but it does not have any pictures of the warm idle screw location. Can anyone be an angel and take a picture of where it's at and post it?

 

It's the screw with the rubber piece covering it.... Turn it to the left while the car is on to raise your idle.

 

for one, you cant be below 500rpms, you will stall out. The first notch on the tach is 0, the second one right by it is 500, you go below 500 you stall out. You want between the 2nd and 3rd line on the tach.

Most likely if it wasnt doing this before, and is now, its not your idle screw, its a dirty IACV and you should clean the screen out with a q-tip.

Adjusting the idle screw is not good because your just controlling a vac leak. If it was working fine before, then you should leave it alone.

3 thigns will cause an idle to "drop", PCV system (dirty valve/hose collapsing) IACV dirty, and FITV needs adjusting.

If you have a FITV then your coolant may need to be burped or changed


*edit, most low idles are directly related to the PCV valve/Grommet/hose. If this is plugged, or the PCV is capped off, you will have a VERY low idle, because this is also a controlled vacuum leak

 

First of all, yes you can, Honda specified Base Idle is 450rpm for manuals, and 700 for automatics. Anyone care to explain why?

I would inspect the IACV as well, make sure it is clean. Unplug the IACV and the engine should accelerate its idle, if the idle speed does not increase when you unplug it, faulty IACV. If it does increase, you may want to ensure your PCV is correctly routed and functional. If all that checks out, adjust base idle.

Make sure the CEL is not on, and that your timing, PCV and air cleaner is not restricted, if those are all good, turn the idle set screw (with IACV plugged in) until it reaches 700-750rpm, and then take a paint marker and mark over it, or use tape to prevent the screw from backing out. Perform this test with a full warm idle.

If that does not remedy your problem, read below.

Does it do this all the time? When its hot? Does it stall at all? If that is the case, the Torque converter clutch could be sticking on, causing a 1 to 1 lockup of the turbine and impeller in the torque converter housing. When was the last time you has the transmission flushed? And how many miles are on that car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slowcivic2k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First of all, yes you can, Honda specified Base Idle is 450rpm for manuals, and 700 for automatics. Anyone care to explain why?
.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Negative, 750rpm for a 5-speed on his engine model, not 450 base.

The Honda factory manual specifies base idle as 750rpms.

 

Wrong, base idle is the engines own ability to suck its own air, without PCM controlled sensors, your reading from an old service manual...

 

idle w/ IAC pluged in should be 670 w/o IACV plugged in it will be lower and u should adjust idle w/o the IACV plugged in somewhere around 450 then when u plug it in it should go up to the 670 RPM range.

 

Correct, I could post the diagrams for the automatics too, but I don't think that will be necessary.

 

Thank you guys so much for the help.

I am working on it. Now I want to clean the IACV. Does anyone have any advice on how to clean it correctly?

Thanks!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jojogalan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thank you guys so much for the help.

I am working on it. Now I want to clean the IACV. Does anyone have any advice on how to clean it correctly?

Thanks!</TD></TR></TABLE>

pretty simple here is a link...

cleaning the iacv
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1575913


since you are already at it heres something else you might as well do

cleaning the fitv
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1564019