Hey all, my ma has a 97 prelude, stock motorand it has some problems. Well here we go, When the car starts up, it runs fine, soon as the car starts reaching normal temp. when u rev it or try to drive and the rpm drops down(ex. if i put it in neutral) the car jus wants to die, when she starts it, she has to hold the gas pedal to get it started and so forth, now ive seafoamed it, and it works ok but im stumped, The car drives awesome,pops vtec like mad but it just wont idle when i pull up to a stop... Can u guys help my ma,

 

It could be fuel or spark related. Change fuel filter, plugs, wires, dizzy cap and rotor, and see if that helps.

Also you might have to change the idle rpm and increase it a little. Procedure ... Start the car, let warm up, remove IACV 2P connector, adjust idle by using the idle Adjusting screw on the TB, set to about 550 rpm, shut the car off, plug the IACV 2P connector, Reset the ECU, and start back up. You should should be 750-780 RPM after the reset.

 

I'll try that and i'll get back to you, Thanks....

 

could it be the TPS? cuz i ran into that problem before... but did u do any kind of maintenance to it before all this happened?

 

but streets idea sounds like a good helpful hint to follow

 

the only mod to the car is intake, never messed wit the TB or the tps, could the tps calibration be off? i did what street said and it seems ok, i'll let u guys no if any thing changes, Oh by the way ksay, wat did u do about the tps?

 

im thinking you should get the cap and rotor checked out and do a complete tune up.. as in what i mentioned plus spark plugs wires... maybe the timing is off to id try that stuff first

 

one time i tryd checking the timing, engine warm, loosened the distributor bolts but as i tryd to turn the dist. it wouldnt move like how when i move my dist. on my sohc, is their a trick?

 

to the top please

 

to the top

 

After a tune up you might want to clean and check you IAC (idle air control valve). clean the screen and clean your trottle body. My screen was really gunked up and when I would stop at a light my rpms would go up and down like I had a vacuum leak so you can try that, my car ran better after a good cleanin.

 

well i already tryed that, would cleanin the egr make a differance, the idle just drops and dies out....help

 

*** on guys, would my fuel filter be the culprit?

 

It sounds like some sort of spark issue as stated above, how many miles are on the car? And for the fuel filter, its supposed to be life time filter, please correct me if im wrong about that one. I changed mine a while back it is a pain, check your ignition control module, it could be cracked maybe spark is jumping. Check and make sure your battery cables are good and tight also. Sorry if im not much help lol i don't know as much as i would like to know.

 

bump up to the top anyone else with a solution?

 

where is the car idling at when its warmed up? Also my car would just die out of the blue driving down the road ( ended up being the main relay ) also check for vac leaks

 

well when its cold i notice it will idle fine, as soon as i go to drive it and come to a stop, it begins to die out. When it idles normal, its around 750-850rpms. so it could be the main relay?

 

srry bout no respondin to ur post earlier did it ever die out once u let go of the gas cuz if thqt happens then it could be the tps most likely.. and there no way of fixin it i dont think.... i jus bought a new one

 

and for the main relay.. the problem would only be at start up... try givin it a couple taps with ur feet prior to start up and c wut happens

 

ya, when i drive, if i let go of the gas to come up to a light, the car will die out, so i have to hold the gas pedal to keep it alive....so if i can replace the tps, it should solve the problem?

 

My thoughts - When the motor is cold, the Cold air valve is opened. This is an automatic, thermal wax valve. As the motor warm, the CAV closes, but the idle air screw is set too low and the car dies.

Probably, unplug the Idle valve on the front of the intake. the idle adjustment screw is on the passenger side of the air intake. It is a recessed screw. If you try adjusting this while the engine is cold, you should see some change in the RPM. Try to get around 1500 with a cold engine. The real adjustment is done after warm up, but it can be tricky if the motor doesn't stay running when warm.

If you don't get any change in RPM, it may be plugged. Take the plastic air intake off and take the idle screw out. Use a pipe cleaner to get any oil or gunk out of the passage way. If it has junk in it, then your Idle Air Valve probably is caked as well. There is a really extensive thread on idle problems (I think it is listed at the top of the forum), any way, it covers this nicely.

 

thanks for the help all, i looked at that thread but it mostly dealt with fluctuating idles and things of that nature...one time i took off the IACV,cleand as best as possible, and ran better for a couple of minutes and crap.....i'll try cleaning the screw and see if that makes a difference.I'll keep ya'll updated. keep bringing the answers on please....

 

IMO id try doing everything else possible to fix the problem and maybe save u the trouble of buyin a new tps. but if all else fails then go get a tps from a junkyard they shouldnt be that much. or u can go big baller status and buy a brand new one then im pretty sure ur problem will be fixed

 

Def not fuel filter related because it would be worse when the car required more fuel.. I vote IAC or your tps sensor has a dead spot in it.

 

My lude is having the same kind of problem but it doesn't die when I come to a stop. My problem is, like yours, when I go to start it; I have to give it a lot of gas before it will stay on and then I have to slam it into gear. So it kind of sounds like your problem. On Monday I am replacing spark plugs, wires, fuel pump, altenator. I'll let you know if it helps anything.