Electrical, erratic idle

ZEDRIK ARCILLA

MEMBER
1992 HONDA PRELUDE
2.3L
MANUAL
220,000 MILES

Hi, good day. I just wanted to ask some few question. Firstly I got this car as a payment from a friend. It happened the third day I had it. It is an Si. I was test driving it to see if it still good. It runs smooth for the day but the next day, I was gonna use it for work suddenly it wouldn't start up as in no electric current even on the dash so I changed the battery but still was not doing anything so I left it for the day. The next day it started right up. What could be wrong?

Next thing happen was I tried to start it again but it sound like a flickering relay but I figured that the sound was coming from the viper alarm. Should I have the alarm replaced or removed?

When I drove it the first time, I noticed that when I am on a full stop, my RPM goes up and down. I replaced the IACV already but still doing it. Help

And lastly. I took it to a smog place and it didn't pass because the guy told me that my RPM on 15 and 25 mph is about 10 points higher than it should be.

8 Replies

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey ZEDRIK ARCILLA,

For the erratic idle please follow the guide below and check for vacuum leaks:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Also the video below shows the process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5pcM-5bso

Let me know if you find anything or have any questions regarding the process.

Please be careful when spraying carburetor cleaner around the engine bay, it is flammable so keep it away from the exhaust and have a fire extinguisher to hand.

Removing the aftermarket alarm would rule out this causing the issue, if it is intermittent it could be hard to pinpoint the cause.

Regards, Joe

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Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 AT 12:08 PM

ZEDRIK ARCILLA

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I will do that and let you know. Thanks

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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 7:50 AM

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey ZEDRIK ARCILLA,

Perfect, please do let us know how you get on or have any questions regarding the test.

Regards, Joe

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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 2:48 PM

ZEDRIK ARCILLA

MEMBER
5 POSTS

So, after work this what happened when I try to run the car it wont start. I heard one click while trying to start the car like a shorted sound but I checked everything even the fuse. There was no blown fuse or anything. So I tried to jump start it and tried to start it while the booster cable is plugged. Lights worked before I start the car. But when I start it everything shuts off. So what could it be?

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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 7:48 PM

ZEDRIK ARCILLA

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I remember earlier while checking for leaks, I replaced a hose somewhere on the top left side of the engine bay and I unplugged a sensor to get to the hose. Then when I replaced the hose I forgot to plug in the sensor then I started the car. Then everything went off.