On not only the Accords, but lots of other Honda vehicles there is a IACV (idle air control valve) that controls the flow of air into the intake at idle. It is supposed to compensate for a load such as A/C, rear defrost, headlights ect.. If the screen gets dirty or clogged the PCM will try and adjust the idle to compensate for the load but can't because air is not able to pass through the screen into the intake. On this model the IACV is located on the back side of the intake. There are two 12mm head bolts that fasten the valve to the intake. It is a little tight to get a wrench in there to break the bolts free, but it is possible. There is also an idle adjustment screw on top of the throttle body located right above the intake boot. A flat blade screw driver will fit it. It usually has some sealant around the screw to prevent it from backing out, so I usually spray some carb cleaner on it to help removal of the sealant. I your idle is a little lower after the job is completed, you can adjust that screw to the specs which are between 750-850 RPM/no load. Adjust when fully warm and under no load. When you adjust some, apply a load such as the A/C and see where the idle goes. The videos were taken at idle in Park. Here is a link to videos on the typical problem a customer has when it arrives at the shop, and the outcome after the IAC valve is cleaned:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3143471...7627230213005/

 

Took the IACV off of my '97 4cyl EX this past Sunday for a good cleaning.

Excellent results! No adjustment needed to the base idle screw; only cause for concern was immediately following the cleaning. The idle is was VERY low initially after the car warmed up, it just took a bit for the ECU to re-learn the base idle.

I only mention it since I wondered initially if I had messed something up- just needed to give it a few minuted to re-learn.

/r

Allen

 

You should disconnect the negative terminal for about 30 seconds to allow the ecu to relearn from scratch as it goes faster than for it to change from its existing idle.

 

Did that... which was the "issue"

Nothing wrong, it just takes a bit for the ECU to re-learn once the engine was warmed up. It is just a little un-nerving initially.

Again, nothing wrong per se, it was just unexpected. Once the ECU reset it's baseline, it runs like a champ!

/r

Allen

 

I have 1997 Honda Accord se
when I turn on the car in cold the rpms yo to 2000 rpms and then down to 1700 stay there until the temperature up the rpms down to 500-700 rpms
I owned this car for 2 year and I haven't clean or replace the idle
how I can clean the idle

 

Check that the throttle blade is not overly coked with soot. Wipe it clean, especially the edges and the throttle body throat. IAC will compensate for idle loads, but if the throttle body itself is overly gunked up this will affect idle speed as well.

 

That's normal if the rpm's hang around at 700 during idle and no accessories are on. When accessories are on it will jump up to around 820 or so. Keep in mind the big white line after 0 is 500 not 200.