I have a 2000 civic dx with an idle problem. first it was a hesitation in the idle so i changed the intake manifold gasket cause i had a vaccum leak, i know i didnt use the proper gasket and when the problem persisted i changed the entire throttle body after cleaning the IACV with no luck and now when i drive at times my idle would fall completely off stalling the engine forcing me to have to start the car again or i would pump the gas pedal continuously and the idle would rev up and go back to normal for a bit. I've been reading about people resetting their ECU after installing new parts but i dunno, can someone help me PLEASE...whats the problem here?!?!?!?!?!?

 

I had a similar problem (with the idle dropping off) and it turned out to be my fuel filter restricting fuel flow to the engine.

You can reset the ECU by unplugging the battery for a few (like 10) minutes. Just take off the negative terminal, you will need a 10mm wrench.

As for the idle stuff, are you throwing any codes? I would check and see if you have any vacuum leaks with a can of carb cleaner and spray it everywhere that might be leaking (gaskets, hoses, joints).

You said you used the wrong gasket when changing the intake gasket... Have you fixed this problem? Did you get the proper throttle body gasket?

I'm not sure I understand the problem entirely. Is your idle low, erratic, high, surging, what?

 

One way to test for vacuum leaks is to take off the air cleaner and put your hand over the throttle body. If the car stumbles and idles low but still runs, you definitely have a vacuum leak.

 

Im not throwing any codes, no check engine light at all

yeah i used a fabricated gasket made of cardboard for the intake manifold gasket and i recently just changed the fuel filter like last week

the actual problem was at first it was erratic until i changed the IACV, now when im driving sometimes the idle just dies.

 

You need to use a proper gasket.... Simple as that. Also make sure your IACV isn't leaking or anything like that because it can only compensate so much.