97 honda accord lx
automatic


iddle is perfect on P, but once i put the car on D, iddle drops really low feels like it is about to die?? what can be the cause and what are the things i have to look at??

thanks for the help in advance

 

What is the rpm with the trans in gear?
Does it stutter at all or just a really low rpm?
Is this new? If so was there recent work done?
If old, has the car ever stalled?

 

1- 400 rpm

2- no

3- no recent work

4- never stalled

 

Verify the base ignition timing is correct. Warm up the engine. Turn it off, jumper two wire blue connector. Connect timing light to battery/#1 spark plug. Turn engine on with no accersories on, no radio/vent/lights/etc. Base timing should be on the Red/Yellow mark with the front pulley and timing pointer, not white mark.

If the paint is worn off, the red/yellow mark for base timing will have three grooves/notches, TDC mark will only be a single groove/notch.

IIRC 96/97 does not have provisions for adjusting timing if it is off. Then you may need to check the camshaft timing belt is correctly set.

A dirty IACV may cause a low idle. Setting Base Idle
Verify that everything is in working order prior to readjusting the idle speed. Worn/dirty plugs/wires/cap/rotor may cause a low idle from weak spark.

 

sounds like weak ignition like you mentioned. sounds like the same symptoms my buddy's old escort had when it was running on 2 cyl. damn long *** 3 speed auto, and 2 cylinders firing, it took literally 30 seconds to hit sixty at WOT