97 Civic DX is having power loss problems
I have a 97 Honda civic DX. The car has 135k miles on it. When i put the AC/Heat on i lose power until i hit 2nd gear. The check engine light is not on and I have had the transmission and engine checked and there are no problems with either. I have done some research and everything i read say it could be the main relay or a short somewhere that is interfering with the fuel pump. But before i start ripping things out i would like to know if anyone has had this problem before and how they fixed it. As everyone knows trying to track down a short in the harness can be insanely time consuming. Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

Clean IACV and full tune up.. Start from there...

 

I would agree but the idle speed is good and it only happens when the AC or Heat is on.

 

Only AC should affect power not the heat, since the AC uses a lot of engine power. Are you sure it is heat as well, and the AC button is not on?

 

IACV adjusts air intake when the engine is under load (ie ac is on). Takes 5 minutes to clean it and it should probably be done anyway. idle speed and the iacv are two different things... your plugs are probably shot and causing a lack of power in the low end...

 

I thought 96 and on no IACV's

 

96 and below have fitv i believe... i know my 99 Si w/ b16a2 had an iacv on the back on the intake manifold... havent looked at my 97 cx hatch with a d16y7

 

Correct. ALL 92-00 Civics have an IACV. Only 92-95 Civics also have an FITV.

 

Woops I confused them.