Okay, first off:

'96 accord EX automatic (non vtec) w/ 2xx,xxx miles.

The car idles dead on at 500 rpms when warmed up. It does its usual idle down when you start it cold and then idles at 500, which is just low enough of an idle to make the whole car shake a little bit, which drives me nuts.

So today I whip out the handy dandy Haynes manual and start going through the idle check procedure. Warmed the car up, shut it off, unplugged the IACV, started the car up, and it proceeded to die immediately. Okay, so I back the idle screw out half a turn and try again. Car starts, then dies. I turned the screw out *4 full turns*, start the car up and it barely stays running at 300 rpms. I think 4 full turns is a bit far, so I plugged the IACV back in, unplugged the battery for 2 minutes, plugged it back in and started the car. Idles dead on 500 rpms, and the car shakes a little bit (I realize that the motor mounts probably aren't in the best condition).

So whats the problem? 4 turns is a helluva lot for what little rpm I got.

TIA

 

Clogged idle port and/or passage?

 

Do I have to remove the TB to clean that or can i just remove the idle screw and jam a rag or a q-tip in there or something?

 

IAC Valve clogged?? Might need cleaning or just need replaced?? Or it might be the Fast idle thermo valve??

 

I don't think its the IACV, because when its disconnected electrically the car dies. If the IACV was plugged shut, there would be no difference between it being connected or not. If it was plugged open, the idle would be higher than it should be.

As for the "fast idle thermo valve" isn't that only supposed to open when there's a load on the motor (like when the air con, or defrost is turned on)? I didn't have any load creating items on or anything.

How many turns of the idle screw are usually required to adjust idle?

Again TIA

 

I don't think you need to disconnect the TB. Start with q-tips and a pipecleaner, use some throttle body cleaner spray on them. If they come out covered in soot and stuff, then you might need to do some heavier duty cleaning -- for that, you'll need an advice from someone else how to do it right: I have a '92 Accord, where things are a bit simplier

Also try completely unscrewing the idle screw -- maybe it's o-ring just got stuck or something...