My car (1995 Del Sol S - D15B7 - 156k miles) threw a code today and the CEL light came on. It was idling at a light, the idle speed dipped momentarily and he CEL came on. When I got where I was going I turned the car off and the CEL went off and hasn't been on since. The car has been idling high then low (ranges between 600-900, occasionally (rarely, like when I pull in the driveway) it goes up to 1100-1500.

I changed the timing belt and plugs 20k ago, checked the valve lash last week, all looked ok (the clearances had been opening up the last few adjustments, which were done about every 6 weeks, but have stabilized since switching to Mobil1). I change the oil every 3300 miles/6 weeks.

I drive the car 160 miles round trip to work daily, up and down a mountain pass (Cajon) at continuous high speed, around 80 mph.

The only thing I can think that might be wrong is the cap and rotor.

My questions are:

1. Could this just be a glitch because the idle dropped low for a second?

2. Will the ECU keep the code stored even if the light goes out?

3. If so how do I read the codes?

4. Could a worn cap and rotor be causing this problem?

 

Just do an all around tuneup.. whats it going to hurt?
next time the cel comes on just put a paperclip or wire in the jumper by the ecu.. Its a little plug.. 2 wires.. then turn the key on.. count the number of times the cel blinks.. First short, then long. Then either look up the code online or buy a book.

 

sounds like an IACV (idle air control valve) problem

as for your questions

1. unlikely
2.yes
3. go to your local auto parts store and they can check it or go here
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1901557
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=682412
4.unlikely to cause idle issues

 

1.No
2.Yes
3.Local auto part store will do it for you and they can erase the code from the ecu after but it will just come back unless you have fixed the problem.
4.No

Sounds definately like IACV problem... type in the search box IACV and see how many people have posted on here with this problem and how they fixed it. My guess is it just needs cleaning... very common problem and very easy to fix.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by punkinbeck &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just do an all around tuneup.. whats it going to hurt?
next time the cel comes on just put a paperclip or wire in the jumper by the ecu.. Its a little plug.. 2 wires.. then turn the key on.. count the number of times the cel blinks.. First short, then long. Then either look up the code online or buy a book.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the quick replies.

Yeah, the only thing I haven't changed/checked on the car are the cap, rotor and wires. I checked the ignition timing (w/ the service connector jumped). Not sure if the previous owner ever did anything to the car, I'm sure the timing belt and valve adjustments were neglected. I suspect they were never touched.

Guess I'll have to hit the Honda stealership and drop $100-200 on parts. I needed some ATF anyway.

 

I'll check the IACV too. Thanks.