i have a 94 accord ex and when i start it up and its cold it it idles up and down until it warms up is this normal thanks

 

check the antifreez and check FITV

 

i adjusted my throttle cable so it always idle around 900 to 1000 rpm havent had any trouble since

 

If you used the throttle cable to hold the throttle open slightly at idle, you're only masking the problem. With throttle closed, there is supposed to be about 0.3 to 0.4 inches play in the cable between the pulley on the throttle shaft and the bracket that holds the cable sheath. Your problem is likely in the Idle Air Control valve.

 

I agree with the above statement. It's either the IACV or a vacuum leak, causing the erratic idle. The IACV receives a signal from the coolant temp sensor that gradually grounds it out to reduce the voltage to it, causing it to close gradually as the engine warms up. If you have erratic idle at cold startup, then something is funky with that system.

 

yes, check anit-freez level and check your vaccums and douple check the IACV...

 

Its not your IACV, its the FITV. FITV is there to control your idle at cold then when it warms up, then the IACV comes into play. Remove it from underneath the TB, and adjust the white wax ball down.

 

+1
thats exactly what i was thinking as i was reading this thread.

 

Another vote for the FITV here: OP clearly stated that the problem only occurs at startup when the engine is still cold, that is exactly when the FITV is supposed to do its work.

 

UNCLE! FITV! I haven't had trouble with either FITV or IACV on any of mine - I'll keep it mind if I do. Still shouldn't adjust the throttle cable to keep idle up.

 

^also a very true statement^ you should also not use the idle adjustment screw to try to fix it as i have heard of others doing.

 

Agree with what everyone else posted,also a clogged EGR can have something to do with this as well.

 

i believe a clogged EGR will generally make it either constant or more sporadic depending on how badly clogged it is. but yes it deffinitely could have something to do with it.