99 Honda Civic LX - Idle Problem

SKINNER

MEMBER
1999 HONDA CIVIC

About two weeks ago my car stalled while I was stopping at a red light. It restarted without a problem and I continued on my way. The problem quickly got worse and the idle got lower and lower. It got to the point where I had to literally have my foot on the gas at all times to keep it from stalling.

2 days ago I replaced the PCV valve and the problem "appeared" to be solved. I drove quite a bit over the last couple days and today it stalled on my again. It still runs better than it did before, but it is obvious the problem is not completely gone.

Symptoms: when slowing to a stop the RPMs drop too low. Causing the engine to stall. This does not happen all the time. Usually when I come to a stop the engine will slow way down to 0-300 RPMs. If it is able to pull through it, the idle will re-stabilize at 700-800 or so. It seems like the PCV valve was part of the problem. But what is the other culprit(s)?

Thanks in advance.
Connor

1 Reply

MIKEYBDMAN

MECHANIC
623 POSTS

The Honda models that I have dealt with usually have problems simular to yours when the throttle body is needing cleaning. Without having the engine on a machine, and no engine codes recorded, it is all a guess as to the actual problem.
However, if you take this car to a dealer, the first thing they will probably want to do is check the idle circuit including the IAC and the cleanliness of the therottle body.
Since you messed with the PCV and got an increase in performance, that can indicate something in your idle control is causing your problem. Be it a MAP sensor, or a dirty throttle body or IAC. Most of the sensors, when completly bad, will give an engine code and turn on the service engine soon light.