Bman409

I have an issue with not being able to adjust my idling speed on my '94 Civic Ex coupe with B18B1, OBD1. I've followed the instructions from this article from Team-Integra.net and when I'm adjusting the idling screw nothing happens at all.

When I disconnect the IACV, the RPM's drop, I get that, but when I go to adjust the idling doesn't really raise or lower, but I do notice that my SRI (short-ram intake) gets louder and quieter as I raise and lower it, but RPM's don't really move at all. Am I doing something wrong?

senor honda

How long has the idle speed been off?

What was the last thing done to the car before you noticed this problem?

Bman409

Last thing I got done to it is installed some steel braided brake lines and exhaust manifold gasket, but the issue was there before the work was done. It's been like this for about a month or two. I think it really started doing it when I replaced my throttle cable, cause the one I had on there was basically done for, I think the cable was too short to begin with but I eventually got around to installing it with a LS throttle cable, the correct one. I have a '94 Civic Ex coupe with a B18B1 and GSR transmission. It's basically stocked except for 4-2-1 headers, lowering springs and a stage 2 Competition Clutch and 12lbs flywheel.

What really bothers me is when I drive it hard, or even casually, and I come to a stop the car idle speeds drops drastically as if it's gonna stall out, but doesn't. It'll idle low for about 10 seconds and then go back up to regular idle speed. It doesn't do it consistently, it's randomly.

This is what I've done so far to correct the issue:

• Cleaned the original IACV, problem still there
• Replaced the IACV with a used working one, problem still there
• Checked for vacuum leaks, car doesn't jump idle or anything
• Checked for any coolant leaks, nothing
• Cleaned the throttle body, nothing
• Followed the article from Team-Integra, as far as adjusting the idle screw and resetting the ECU to relearn the idle, problem still there

The only thing I can think of is that my timing is off, which I haven't checked yet, but I was curious to see if there was anything else I was missing before I do so.. well attempt to do so because my knowledge isn't that great with the timing and I don't have proper tools.

senor honda

OK. The last things you did, did not cause the erratic idle.

My next choice would be a vacuum leak.

I would try making it drop off like you described, then when it has just done that, I would
try making it drop off again, so I would know it's "in the mood", so to speak.
I would then drive it again and when I stop, I would submerge the intake area with WD40.

Wondering about a bad gasket somewhere that when driving, air going in the intake
sucks it closed, then when stopped, the pressure to keep it closed is not there and it
loses some vacuum........and the idle drops.....

Intake manifold bolts all tight?

senor honda

I would try going through the reset procedure again
and I would also disconnect the battery ground before I did so.

and after the reset procedure I would disconnect the battery ground again.

senor honda

I really don't think it's the timing. The timing should not be coming and going
like you say the idle is coming and going.

Going back to the throttle cable.....wondering if the too short cable had a bit of pull
on it and now with the proper cable, it has some slack and that might be causing
lowered idle.

Wondering if there is a locknut on one end or the other of the cable that might be
vibrating itself loose and then vibrating itself tighter.

Thinking about the cable being tight when driving, then you stop...the cable now has
less tension on it....wondering if it could be giving itself some slack and idle dropping off.

senor honda

Seems like something is pulling on that cable sometimes and then
sometimes it gets loose.

Bman409

I've done that, I've sprayed around all known vacuum lines with carb cleaner and WD40 and nothing, idle doesn't jump at all at operating temperature.

I said the timing because that's the only thing that I haven't checked.

So my throttle cable controls my idling? I thought that my cable should have some slack to it and not suppose to be tight? I do have some slack to it but it's not to the point that I can literally take it off with my hand. I'll adjust and test that out.

senor honda

Let us know the results.
On my car there is an adjuster like a bicycle cable that allows me to
take the slack out of the throttle cable.

Bman409

Ok, I've tighten up my throttle cable a little more and ever since my idling hasn't dropped at all. Hmm.. weird. Thanks for the help though.