'92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
I just had some major work done on my '92 Civic DX Hatchback
(automatic transmission, A/C, NOT a VTEC, the regular engine) at my local Honda dealership. Car had been running well. Have ~85,000 miles (I'd don't drive much). Now I have a very frustrating idle problem (the engine randomly almost dies) that no one can figure out. Here's the story: 1. In May, the engine began sputtering occasionally at stoplights, especially when trying to accelerate from a stop. Led to a few close calls with oncoming traffic, as the engine almost died mid- intersection. 2. After this happened ~3 times over ~3 days, the engine just died, wouldn't restart (cranked OK), & had to be towed to Honda dealer. 3. Codes revealed a faulty Idle Air Control Valve (IACV), which was stuck shut. IACV was therefore replaced. 4. Also had other major maintenance performed (it was time anyway): 90,000 mile service, including Valve Clearance Adjustment, timing belt, water pump, new plugs & air filter. Now the trouble really began... 5. Car didn't perform well at highway speeds (hard to quantify, but engine just seemed louder & less powerful at high speeds, ~80 mph). ALSO, at idle, in gear, at a stop, idled roughly, and it seems like the motor is cutting off for a split second. Almost dies, then recovers. Seems to happen more when it is warmer out (~75-80 oF). Rarely happens if either the car is in Park/Neutral, or if the A/C is on, or if you're actually moving. 6. First the dealer's mechanics couldn't observe the idle problem, then didn't believe it was an issue, then asked if I was sure it wasn't happening before I brought the car in the first time, etc. They also said that the IACV had an "adjusting screw" that was improperly adjusted, and that it was now adj. properly. (Next time, I was told that the IACV does not have any adj. screw!!) Did NOT fix the idle problem. 7. Back again to dealer. Service manager is trying his best, and replaced the PCV valve and its hose. No change in idle problem. 8. Back again. Manager discovered that the valve clearance had been adj. too loose, and timing was 5 degrees retarded. Fixed the clearance, rechecked timing, idle speed, etc. Also cleaned out the throttle body (they said it had some carbon buildup). All this now seemed at last to improve the high speed driveability somewhat. Possible improvement in the idle problem (seems less frequent), but still not gone. 9. Now, the idle dropout happens like this: a. Car is idling, and fan comes on. This kicks up the idle speed a bit. b. Fan shuts off. After ~7 seconds, idle speed drops back down. c. After ~20-25 seconds more, engine drops out...idle speed for that split second makes like it is trying to go to zero. d. Cycle of a, b, c repeats (for as long as you're willing to sit and wait). The specific timing of the problem described #9 makes me think it is unlikely to be plugs, SP wires, rotor, cap, etc. (Wires & cap were replaced ~2 yrs ago (non-Honda).) Coolant-temperature related? Some other kind of sensor? What else could it be? A faulty, new IACV? Other things I've seen mentioned: coolant temp. sensor; Throttle Position Sensor, coil, igniter, SP-etc.. Sorry to be so long-winded, but figured I'd give you experts all the info I have. Desperate for help!! Thanks!!! |
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