89 CRX idling issue

XXRABBITTXX

MEMBER
1989 HONDA CRX

89 honda crx dx 1.5l 166,000 miles *roughly

i am tryen to get her smogg'd on the high rpm check it was fine. Stellar if I may say. BUT. On the idol check is where we run into an issue. Now I have already gone thru her and did the basics oil change, spark plugs wires, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs**propperly gapp'd no less** and here and there I still keep getting a slight idol bounce mainly when she's cool/ cold like right after start up. Now when I changed the spark wires I noticed on the far left plug, i'll just for the sake of this particular question name this one plug #1 ** not sure if I am right in this or if i'm wrong on the number it REALLY is, not really caring for right now** Confused

but the far left wires connector to the distributor cap was corroded with a green corrosion. Now I think I need to clean that portion of the cap out before I get to crazy. But that really can't that simple can it?

now here is exactly what is happening after I start car:

idols is a lil high while it warms. Then it may sit at 500-600rpm's for a few then it will bounce down to zero and then back to 700-800 and back and forth a few times then will act normal. It may do this for a few seconds to a few minutes then stop for a few seconds to a few mintues ** longest was about 20 minutes of sitting without it acting up, then I revv'd the engine a few times and sometimes it will act up and then level out and sometimes nothing at all will happen. I'm just not sure what to do next, I just need it to act right so I can get it to pass smog mad frigging ca smog laws

update:

i noticed if I put a draw on the electrical system or make the idle raise to about 800-900 rpms the drop off/bounce/ sputtering stops all together!
i was also reading this issue may be caused by my eacv but. Lol my manual shows this item on a si model not a dx. So i'm haven a lil trouble locating it.

3 Replies

KIN CHAN

MEMBER
453 POSTS

Honda use 5-7 different ctrl to make sure their cars idle perfectly smooth. Even u loss 1/2 of the compression but at idle.U probably can;t tell. The 1st thing came to my mind when I took honda class was idle air ctrl valve. It only have about a few hundred rpm authority to ctrl the idle. Now do this. Look up info on where is the valve.U gonna have to do a li'lo research on this site or other internet sites or some1 in the dealership parts dept who can print u a pic. Disconnect the electrical connection when it start to wandering and act up. Chk engine lite is gonna come on but the idle should stablize. If that do the trick. Well.U on ur own then.
2nd. Smog test have nothing to do with idle on dyno. Cuz is a 5 & 15 mph load test. If u can't pass that 1.U gonna need professional help. Even regular general repair shop have problem in those area. We save tons of crying customers from flunking and chain corp lube /inspection place can't fix it.