Idle surging/pulsing rhythmically until fully warm

Tiny
BEN LEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I've been working on fixing my Honda's idle issues for a couple weeks now, but no improvements yet.

When I start the car cold, the idle is a little high right from the beginning at around 1,500rpm or sometimes a little less, but not terribly high for it being cold. After running for just a few minutes it will usually start to surge up and pulse up and down in a consistent rhythm, usually between 1,000 and 2,000 to 2,500 or so, but it has already surged up to 3,000rpm a few times. It feels just like I'm pressing on the gas and letting it back off every 2 seconds. This problem has been going on for about 3 weeks, but there have been times that I have driven it in the last week and it would not do the surging/pulsing at all, so it is not consitent, but it does it more often than not.

Last night, for instance, I started it cold and it idled at about 1300 for several minutes and then suddenly, with it still in park, it started the surging, which continued for more than 5 minutes. It finally stopped after I held on the gas around 2,500 rpm to help warm it up (that was the lowest rpm I could get out of it while holding the gas as little as possible. Any less and it would go back to surging), and I also noticed that if I put the car in reverse it would stop surging immediately and would go to regular idle speed, but as soon as I would put it in park or neutral it would start surging/pulsing again. After about 15 minutes of driving or just letting the car get up to operating temperature, the idle runs perfect at around 700rpm and there are no issues at all when FULLY warm, so it is just about always when the car it not fully up to operating temperature. There have been times where I only drove for a few minutes and the idle problems stopped, and there have been times where it won't stop until after at least 15 minutes of driving. And there are even times where it seems to run mostly fine, right from the cold start. I have also had the car run well for a short 5 minute trip (from cold) and then when I get to my nearby destination and put it in park, it immediately starts to surge up and down in the rhythmic pattern. It was running fine from cold, and only started the puling after I put it in park 5 minutes later. The engine probably was not up to full operating temperature yet, but it seems strange that it would be running fine until I put it in park after a short 5 minute trip. That happened twice this past weekend.

Also, about a week ago I had my first stall, which was while I was driving down the street around 40 mph. This was in the afternoon when it was warm out, but after only about 5 minutes of driving, so the engine was probably not up to full operating temp quite yet. The rpm went way down and the engine shook and then it stalled. It immediately restarted, but idled very rough and now, also for the first time, had the check engine light come on at that moment. Even though the car would start back up and idle very rough and low, when I pressed on the gas it would not respond and would barely more. I managed to get pulled over and turned the car off and sat there for a few minutes. When I started it again it idled normally and ran just fine and I proceeded to drive it home with no problems at all. It ran and idled perfectly for the next 20 minutes all the way home. The code I pulled was P1129 MAP Sensor Signal Higher Than Expected. The car had already been doing the poor cold idling and surging for at least 2 weeks at this point, but it had never stalled or gotten close to stalling and had never giving a trouble code up to this point. I cleared the code after doing some of the work that I'll mention below, and the check engine light has not come back on since about a week ago, but the problem still persists.

Here is what I have done already:

-tested the map sensor by backprobing and checking for the correct voltage with key on, engine off
-removed the map sensor and connected 2 of the pins to a DVOM (backprobed with electric connector still attached) and then applied vacuum to the sensor and watched the voltage go down (as it should) as vacuum was applied, and go back up as vacuum was removed

Based on these tests resulting exactly as they should, I ruled out the MAP sensor

Here are the other things I've already done:
-removed intake and thoroughly cleaned the carbon buildup off the inside of the intake chamber and egr passages
-thoroughly cleaned the bore and plate of the throttle body
-thoroughly cleaned the idle air control valve and made sure the flap was able to move freely
-bled all air out of the cooling system
-tested the egr valve according to the haynes manual: tested for continuity with the electrical connector attached (backprobed)
-tested the egr valve by removing the electrical connector, then starting the engine and applying battery voltage and ground to 2 of the terminals and the engine immediately stalled (which indicates that the egr is working)
-checked the air filter and it is pretty clean and only a few months old
-replaced the PCV valve
-checked for vacuum leaks (smoke test)

None of these tests pointed to any issues, since all the parts tested normal and no vacuum leaks were found, and I smoke tested twice and used multiple different vacuum locations each time I tested, just to be extra thorough.

All the parts that were cleaned thoroughly with carb cleaner did not seem to change the engine idle issues at all.

The only thing I can think to try next is to just throw a new MAP sensor and Idle Air Control Valve at it to see if either of those fixes it, but I hate throwing parts at it and also potentially wasting money, but I don't know what else to try.

Thanks for your input!
Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 7:55 AM

33 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge. Check any grommet for cracks where they can leak air. Auto parts rent gauge but you may need a pro to do it as it m ay need an adapter. You should have no air leaks on engine or duct work leading from air cleaner to throttle body. I t might be throttle plate or if cable operated either of those could be binding. However do not change any parts prior to scanning for codes or checking fuel pressure. This seems to be happening when engine is cold which is not in closed loop then. So it may be something that is heating up and sealing. So check for loose vacuum lines also check pcv valve for operation.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
BEN LEE
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I scanned for codes last night, but there are no pending or stored codes. I will see if I can get a hold of a fuel pressure gauge with the necessary adapter for my honda, since my fuel pressure set does not have the adapter I would need.

I have checked for vacuum leaks by smoke two different times about a week or so apart and could not find any leaks anywhere. I checked on both sides of the throttle plate, so both on the intake manifold side and on the air duct side before the throttle body, but got no smoke leaks anywhere.

I also just replaced the PCV valve last night in hopes that would improve it, but no change at all.

You mentioned open loop vs closed loop. When the car it cold and in open loop before the engine, coolant and O2 sensors warm up, what changes does the computer make to the engine's operation after it is warmed up and goes to closed loop?

Thanks!
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
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If there are any leaks like air or vacuum the computer automatically richens the fuel mix to take care of it. But when in open loop it doesn't. If no codes you really should h ave a pro scan it and check voltages while running something may not be working right when cold.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
BEN LEE
  • MEMBER
  • 66 POSTS
How does an air leak differ from a vacuum leak? I'm familiar with vacuum leaks, but where would I expect to find an air leak?
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 12:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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  • 48,601 POSTS
Like I said in another reply all grommets on engine duct work leading form air cleaner to engine etc. It screws these cars up with that stuff. If you duct work has ahole in it especially between maf and throttle body it will do what is happening.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
BEN LEE
  • MEMBER
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Thanks, I'll double check the duct work, but strange enough, this Accord actually does not have a MAF sensor for some reason
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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Then it uses a intake air temp sensor. One thing you might try when this happens is to slowly turn ignition switch to off but not off see if stops meaning the surging, if it does it may be the ignition switch. Also if you have an IAR solenoid which you probably do see if it's sticking open from crap in it or something like that.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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I screwed up on last reply there is no iar solenoid on yours I put wrong year in manual. Test the air intake bypass control valve.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
BEN LEE
  • MEMBER
  • 66 POSTS
Some of the text in the instructions you attached are cut off. Can you post them again
Thank you!
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
BEN LEE
  • MEMBER
  • 66 POSTS
Changed the MAP sensor and started it cold and it hung at around 1200 rpm for about 5 minutes in park at idle and then slowly started to go down to normal idle speed. It had one very small surge up to maybe 1500 or so, but it was just a single surge and it didn't do it again. It went down to normal idle of 750ish and stayed there as it warmed up to operating temp. So far so good, but the check engine light came on and this time put up a new code, which was P1519 for idle air control valve circuit fault.

Do you have any suggestions
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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It sounds like the IAC needs replacement or the throttle bore needs service, also check the egr valve.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 AT 6:22 AM
Tiny
BEN LEE
  • MEMBER
  • 66 POSTS
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Hello. I'm having some very erratic idle issues on my Honda Accord. About a year ago, the car would sometimes idle low when stopped at a light, and for a few seconds it would dip down to only about 200rpm, but would not ever actually stall. It did not do this regularly, but I removed the intake, throttle body, and idle air control valve and cleaned them as best I could, and that solved the problem.

Now I'm having idle issues again about a year later, but the issue I described above has only happened one time, and there are other new issues that I have not experienced before. When starting up the car cold, it idles at about 1,500, which is higher than normal, even when cold. Today I was in a hurry and did not let it warm up, and when I let off the brake it moved forward before I even had to push the gas. It continued idling at a minimum of 1500 for at least the next 10 minutes, even after the thermometer gauge showed the car was warmed up to normal operating temp. During the first 10 minutes of driving, it would sometimes hold an idle of as much as 1800, and at times the engine would rev up and down in a pulsing pattern. Sometimes it pulsed up as high as 2800, but would immediately come back down. Most of the time, pressing the gas would not help to even it out, and it would just rev far too high even when only pressing the gas very lightly. It would easily go above 3,000 when just a small press on the pedal while sitting still at a light when my other foot on the brake or with the car in neutral or park. Many times I could let off the brake after sitting at a light and the car would easily move forward as if I was pressing the gas.

After about 10 or 12 minutes of driving like this, the car must have finally warmed up, because then it idled perfectly at 700rpm for the next 20 minutes of driving, and the pulsing was gone and the high idle was gone.

It has done this once or twice before in the last week or so, but not as bad as today, and many days over the last week it would idle a bit high while cold at the start of driving, but would quickly even out and go back to normal within just a few minutes, and no pulsing/revving and no really high idle, so the issue is not consistent.

I was planning to smoke test for vacuum leaks as my first step, and then probably remove the intake, throttle body and IAC to thoroughly clean them out to see if that solves the problem. If that doesn't work, then I would probably replace the IAC, but I wanted to get your input here before I start any work.

Thanks very much for your help!
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
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Try cleaning throttle plate on both sides and iac hole with choke cleaner.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BEN LEE
  • MEMBER
  • 66 POSTS
I'll give that a try before I replace the IAC, and I'll also check for vacuum leaks. Thanks
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JHOENIG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
I have a 2001 honda accord ex 4 cyl automatic. It currently has 112,000 miles. About a year ago I had the timing belt and spark plugs replaced. About 6 months ago I began having some idling problems. It wouldn't happen all the time, but while idling at stop lights, it would occasionally drop to about 300-400 RPM. Also, a total of a handful of times, while starting the car, it would start and immediately putter out. I took the car into my mechanic and had them try to diagnose it (difficult since the problem was sporadic). They really couldn't find anything wrong. Ultimately, they replaced the radiator cap (unrelated, but the old one was cracked), and blew out the intake line. For whatever reason, that seemed to solve the problem for the most part. My car is still idling a little lower than I'd like, somewhere near 6-700 and seems a little sluggish. I know very little about cars, but I keep feeling like it might be the fuel filter. Could this be it, or do you have any other ideas?
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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When was the last tune-up?

Clean the throttle body plate and check the idle air control valve. Also do a fuel pressure check
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JHOENIG
  • MEMBER
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The last tune up was with the timing belt change. Thanks for the help
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PETERO966
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,000 MILES
Hi my honda have a problem with the idle it is gone up and down when the car is on and stationary, or moving. I can feel it idle but the rpm gauge doesn't move from its normal idle range(800). Maybe its electical or a gas valve problem?
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Do you have a check engine light and when was the last tune-up?

Check the idle air control valve /throttle position sensor and fuel pressure.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PETERO966
  • MEMBER
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First thank you for fast answer and response.
No sir there is no check engine light and I tune up 2 month ago I just change the plugs, wires, air filter and I replace the PCV valve.I take it to the dealer and chek it and they said all honda is like this but my friend have the same what I have and it is very quite. Please can you tell me where is the idle air control valve to change it? Thank you
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM (Merged)

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