Search results

  1. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    I didn't do the tests so I don't have the results. I stopped in after the mechanic pulled the spark plugs after he smelled oil. One of the plugs had oil covering the first couple of threads above the electrode end. The mechanic did the leak down test the next day (as he works on many cars...


  2. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    If the car didn't look and run well I would have pulled the plug when I burnt a valve two years back. Certainly the process was a headache but it was educational too. I have a mint shape 1991 Accord too so it wasn't a lack of vehicle situation. Bottom line is I now know the culprit to a very...
  3. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    OK boys I'm back for an update here in October of 2017. Had the car at a Honda dealer who didn't find jack. They suggested changing the throttle body which I did.....didn't change a thing. Also tried a thermostat and another O2 sensor that was OEM. No luck. My last hail Mary was cleaning...
  4. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    Thanks for all your help boofoo. Let me answer a couple of your points. IAC VALVE.....When I disconnected the Idle Air control valve it was one of the rare times I could get the car to go into it's bobble mode ...not hunting....but bobbling as if the car is going to stall. I disconnected it...
  5. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    Haven't touched the idle speed....the car idles perfectly 99% of the time. When I disconnected the IAC plug during a rare time it was bobbling the idle drops down to 450 and holds perfectly...no bobbling. Cooling system was bled/checked by mechanic...ECU light works, It's the original stock...
  6. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    I know I never had this problem before since I am the original owner. I'm wondering if a wiring harness was jostled when I had a burnt out valve serviced...thus possibly triggering the above issue. With no codes after this long a period I'm down to the TPS or Map sensors and they are not...
  7. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    4/6/17 update....I noticed a post on a Honda Technical Forum that talked about a service bulletin 91-031 that was issued back in 1991. It pertains to my vehicle and talks about erratic idle performace after coming to a stop with the throttle fully closed. It states the probable cause is...
  8. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    OK boys here's the 3/22/17 update on the mystery idle issue. I was getting antsy for spring and we finally had a 50 degree day so I tried an experiment. I got the car to go into it's bobbling mode after warming up for 10 minutes. As usual it would bobble for a little bit and then correct. I...
  9. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    The O2 sensor had already been changed thinking maybe the tip was gunked up....no difference.
  10. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    No Raven I haven't. My understanding is the Map sensor will throw a code if bad. Also am not experiencing any fuel economy issues or power loss or ANY other issue. I believe my mechanic checked the voltages out on the Map sensor when he looked at it last. I see this part can cost upward of...


  11. J

    Repair Rust Around Wheels: 91 Civic

    Also get rid of that rubber molding they put around the inside lip of the fenders. That traps the road deicing gunk and helps destroy the fenders faster. They call the stuff they put on the roads around here "Truck-B-Gone" ...and for good reason!
  12. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    The battery trick did not work for me as I noted above...the issue came back. Let me know how you make out. I live in the Northeast and the cold definitely lessens the instances of the idle bobble. Is it cold where you are now and do you notice the same behavior? I'm pretty much on hold...
  13. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    Thanks in advance for everyone's help. Here is the 1/7/17 update. Thought I was out of the woods with the "reboot" of the ECU. Went 4 weeks without an issue and then it bobbled temporarily at a stop light and recovered. Went another 2 weeks without an issue.....and then we had a 55 degree...
  14. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    OK here's the 11/22/16 update. Changed the IAT sensor as it was cheap and easy to do. Sensor looked pretty burnt. I was lookin good for two days and then we're back to the occasional bobble. Again the computer corrects the issue immediately. Had a long talk with my mechanic....without...
  15. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    Thanks Raven....Not sure if that sensor normally throws a code...I know the Map Sensor is supposed to when it's bad. Think we'll start by pulling the sensor and cleaning it up and see what that does.
  16. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    I have a MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) sensor that supposedly checked out OK voltage wise. I don't think the car has an Air Intake Sensor, but someone tell me if I'm mistaken. I think the Accords of my vintage had them.
  17. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    That's sort of the opposite of what mine does. I have ZERO issues when it's cold or starting vehicle....in fact it takes longer for the problem to develop in cooler weather. My idle does NOT surge. It will "bobble" or "cough" like it is going to stall AFTER warmup....the idle will bobble...
  18. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    Thanks for the responses...car is at mechanic now. That picture is of the fast idle "screw." I did see a video of the tightening down of that white part with a flat blade screwdriver. My understanding is that this will correct hunting idle where the idle swings from low to high constantly...
  19. J

    Intermittent idle issue: '88 Civic

    Have a 1988 Civic LX. After car warms up I will get an occasional low idle bobble issue. Will be sitting at a traffic light and the idle will start bouncing between 500 and 750 rpms. The engine then corrects the issue back to normal idle, but it can reappear. Sometimes having the AC on will...
Top