1995 Honda Prelude Surging in Park

1995 HONDA PRELUDE
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DRABEY9
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I have a 95 Honda Prelude. The problem is that when it's in park or neutral the RPM gauge jumps up and down. After doing this it also smells like something is burning under the hood. It just recently started doing this when it got colder. I was wondering what this could possibly be and whether or not it was serious. If anyone has an idea I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
Dec 6, 2006 at 2:42 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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Let me see if I have this correct. In park or neutral, the gauge jumps up and down, but is the engine going faster and slower as well? In other words, is the engine surging?
Dec 6, 2006 at 11:26 PM
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DRABEY9
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Yeah, that's exactly what it's doing. The engine is surging. Is this an easy fix?
Dec 7, 2006 at 1:15 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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You need to look for a vacuum line that is leaking. Have you had any work done to the intake manifold or throttle body? How about work done to the cooling system?
Dec 7, 2006 at 3:39 PM
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DRABEY9
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Well, about a month ago I took it to a mechanic and he had to replace the break pads. A couple days before that, my car had a "complete check up."
Dec 8, 2006 at 12:49 AM
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DRABEY9
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Where should I look for this vacuum?
Dec 8, 2006 at 12:50 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
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There are many small hoses on the engine, they dry and leak, they break, they fall off or become disconnected. Look at them all very closely. My ears suck and I don't hear as well as I would like but listen for any sucking sounds around the engine.

Check the coolant and make sure it is full. Then with the car good and warm, crack open a bleeder and see if the bleeder lets out air or steam. GEt the air out of the system.

You can take off the Idle Air Control valve and clean it completely.
Dec 8, 2006 at 1:40 AM

Suggested Repair

Inspect all small vacuum hoses for cracks, leaks, or disconnection, and listen for sucking sounds. Confirm the coolant is full, warm the engine, and bleed air from the cooling system. Remove and thoroughly clean the idle air control valve.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1995 Honda Prelude reports engine surging in park or neutral, with the RPM gauge jumping and a burning smell under the hood that began in colder weather. Recent brake and checkup work was noted. The expert advises checking vacuum hoses for leaks, verifying coolant level and bleeding air, and cleaning the idle air control valve.

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