Hey everybody...I am new to the forum and don't really know much about cars. Anyhow, I just bought a 1995 honda accord ex wagon from a honda dealer (using this car as a commuter) and just started to notice that the rpm needle is above 1 when i start the car and also when i am at a stop sign or at a red light. I am pretty sure this is not normal, right? Is this an idle problem? If not, anybody know what is wrong?

Anybody know what can possible be the problem, if any? And is this an expensive fix? Did i get ripped off from the dealer?

 

This shouldn't be a big problem. If you just bought it from a Honda dealer you should be able to take it back to them and have them adjust it for you free of charge. The base idle for your engine type is listed on panel 3 of the diagram I posted bellow.

If you don't want to take it back or they try and charge you for it you may be able to fix the problem yourself. It could be as simple as the idle being set too high.



The image below shows the brass idle adjusting screw circled in red.


If manually setting the idle down doesn't seem to work. You should look for a small vacuum leak in the hoses or gaskets. As well it could be that the IACV is dirty and trying to over compensate. There is a good thread in the Accord FAQ's on how to clean your IAC valve.

 

Thank you for the info...since I don't know much about cars, should i take it to a dealer?

 

You can also check the plugs and wires, they may be old and needs to be replaced. Did you notice this when you test drove the car?

 

Just the other day, I was cleaning my IACV on my H22(my sig) and when I assembled it all back together, I notice it idles at 1.5K. I was like "something's not right." Then a few days later, I found out that I unplugged one of the vac hose from the Intake Manifold and it was sucking air in for almost 2-3 days now. I was like "Oh my god, Stupid me" and problem fixed. You might have a vacuum hose open or something; otherwise, adjust your idle screw like mentioned above.

 

thank you all...i will check the vacuum hoses and all and try what i have been instructed to. No, the problem wasn't there when i test drove it