Everyday my car idles at about 450 rpm's which I don't know why I don't think it is the idle control valve because it was just replaced. I also just had a whole new crower valve train set in so it's not a bent valve. My whole motor is basically brand new and it was done right. But when I'm driving the car will just shut off, it won't catch when it's coming down it doesn't do it often but enough to make me angry. The car starts right back up and doesn't look normal could it be an 02 sensor because one time the check engine light came on but the car wasn't driving any differently but when I was trying to figure it out so I just un hooked the battery but when i rehooked it the cel was off and it hasn't come back on. I'm confused and I have spend a lot of money on this car and just need to fix this problem.

 

i was experiencing the sample problem, and i did everthing i can think of (cleaning the idle valve, throttle body, etc) and nothing worked. Finally, in desperation, i replaced my spark plug and everything's ok again... so... check your spark plug, i guess

 

check the idle screw to see if it is tight enough, if not then bring it to a mechanic and say wtf?

 

Definately check the idle screw. If you are idling that low, then the screw must be wayyyyy to tight. Also my car idled at around 450-500 rpms for a few days after i bought it, then i replaced the spark plugs as well, and nwo it runs better than before. IMO i would not take your car to a mechanic for something this small. Talk your problems out on Honda-tech, and i am positive you will get the help you need.

Kris

 

my car looks like it idles that low also but i had one of the guys check it out at the dealership and they said it was right on the money 700. they had some type of meter that reads the rpms

got this out of a helms hope it might help i wrote it up and ive got it on a few sites to help out and hopefully someone will find out what the hells wrong with the idle situations, why the 4th gen VTEC guys are not having this i cannot understand.

ok i cannot copy and paste it for some reasion so ill manual type in what it has to say:
Troubleshooting procedures:
Symptom chart
Listed below are symptoms and probable causes for problems that do not cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on. Troubleshoot each probable cause in the order listed (from left to right) until the symptom is eliminated. The probable cause and troubleshooting page reference can be found below.

cold fast idle to low 7,8,9,6,17
cold fast idle to high 7,8,9,11,10
idle speed fluctuates 9,7,8,11,10


6. Intake air temperature sensor circuit (IAT)
7. Idle air control valve (IAC)
8. Fast idle thermo valve
9. idle speed adjustment
10. throttle body
11. throttle cable
17. air cleaner

if anyone needs to know what (IAT) is heres the info on that: The IAT sensor converts intake air temperature into voltage and singnals the ECM. when intake air temperature is low, the internal resistance of the sensor increases, and the voltage singnal is higher.

also it gos on to say Possible causes:
-IAC valve Mechanical malfunction
-fast idle thermo valve malfunction
-throtle body clogged port improper adjustment
-intake manifold gasket leakage
-vacuum hose leakage
-ect sensor incorrect output

Checking the IAC Directions:

disconnect the 2p connector from the iac valve ( which is grey)
Does the engine speed drop or the engine stall.

-no = Replace the IAC valve.
-yes = Adjust the Base idle speed. clean the ports on the throttle body:


(Questions i have when i started up my car this morning the idle went up and down and when i disconnected the IAC connector the idle was steady and i got a check engine light. Now this talks about speed drop does that mean that it stops going up and down, this manual is confusing.)

Checking the fast idle thermo valve directions:

turn the ignition switch off, remove the intake air duct from the throttle body. start the engine and let it idle, put your finger on the lower port in the throttle body. Does the engine speed drop?

-yes = check engine coolant level and for air in the cooling system. if ok replace the fast idle thermo valve.
-no = put your finger on the upper port in the throttle body

does the engine speed drop?

-no = check for vacuum leaks, make sure the throttle valve is completely closed, and repair as necessary.
-yes = adjust the idle speed, if its impossible, replace the IAC valve.

 

On my 92 H23a with only 57k on it i had the same symptoms. I had the Fast Idle Valve replaced and the problems all went away.