I just had my timing belt/head gasket replaced and when I got my car back the idle jumps between 800 and 1500RPM. If I give it some gas at idle and then let off, it will stay idling at 1500RPM. Everything is fine when I drive though.

Also, my radio is showing "code". I bought the car used, how am I supposed to get the code?

Thanks!

 

Idle surge; Be sure the block/head is full of coolant and the air burped out thru the 12mm bleed screw at the T-stat housing.
next step would be to check that there is a little slack in the throttle cable, then you can open off the cover of the FITV and turn the adjuster screw in so you hear no air bypassing when the engine is warm.

Radio Code; look in the owners manual front cover or radio instruction page for a 5 digit number written in, or plastic credit card sized tag in the glovebox.
If you have to get the code numbers off the radio, [here's your top tech tip of the day] just remove the ashtray and it's supporting bracket, then you can use an inspection mirror and flashlight to get the numbers off of the label on the radio.
Then the dealership PARTS dept. can get you the code


Modified by hondadude at 1:32 PM 5/25/2008

 

Thanks. I got the radio working, but the engine is still bouncing.

I tried the bleed screw, and I also idled the engine for 5 minutes with the radiator cap off. But it still surges. When I first start up the car it runs perfectly at 500RPM, but if I give it ANY gas, it will rise up to 1500RPM and stay there until I put it into drive.

Is the FITV thing hard to do? What if it's a vacuum leak, which hoses to I check?


Thanks!

 

I fixed it.

It turns out, there was still air inside the radiator hoses. I just unscrewed the cap, turned the car on, and squeezed the hoses until no more bubbles came up.

Also, I fixed the 1500RPM idle by adjusting the throttle linkage. The accelerator pedal wasn't returning all the why to the top.


The engine now runs smoothly at 600RPM.