Car has low RPM when in drive and dies occasionally!

HELLFIREG4

MEMBER
HONDA CIVIC

1998 Honda civic LX 110,802 miles 4 cylinder automatic. After I start my car it sounds normal until I put it in drive then the RPM drops to 500. Once there it starts to shake with a low wierd rumbling sound. But once I hit the gas then its sounds normal again.
Also on occasions the car shuts off while driving but its so random its hard to say under which conditions. It usually happens when I stop at lights or when or stop to wait for a passanger.I think the two problems might be linked to each other. Thanks in advance for your advise!

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

For a start-check the idle speed control device and open up the EGR and clean it-need more help comeback. Is it throwing out OBD2 code/s meaning check engine light flashing or steady.

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Saturday, September 15th, 2007 AT 6:26 PM

HELLFIREG4

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4 POSTS

[/quote]For a start-check the idle speed control device and open up the EGR and clean it-need more help comeback. Is it throwing out OBD2 code/s meaning check engine light flashing or steady.[/Quote]

Ive disconnected the batterys power, removed the whole throttle body, cleaned the idle air control, took out the TPS cleaned the thread(I put it back with the same rotation in the original postion)and the throttle bore/plate and the RPM is now normal when in drive. It even accelerates much better.I have to tell you THANK YOU. But now I have the check engine light on. Is that normal or did I do something wrong?

Also where is the EGR located?

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Thursday, September 20th, 2007 AT 4:12 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

EGR

2.3 at rear of intake manifold
3.0 rear of engine on coolant passage.

Good Luck

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Thursday, September 20th, 2007 AT 4:21 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

You need a scan tool to adjust the TPS value from closed and opened values to ID a problem with TPS.

In the book it should explain the procedures checking initial voltages in key on engine off. Try doing this first. You might want to check the MAP and CPS sensors.

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Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 AT 4:09 PM

HELLFIREG4

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4 POSTS

I have clean out the IAC and the car idles fine but still stalls.I check the honda site for any recalls for the same make/model and found out that hondas 1997-2002 had ignition switch problems that cause stalling.I changed the ignition switch(electrical portion only) and now the car is running great thank for all your help!