To both Jims: Igniter discussion

water temp sensor in the head.

idle air control system would be one.

if it's only at idle, it's not the igniter - igniter would be all across the rev range. describe again the exact symptoms and how they show themselves. if it's the idle control system, it's relatively easy to fix.

"jim beam"

Long drive at high speeds produces the following condition: Car warms up normally at full, steady idle. When at operating temperature, car starts to falter at low idle speeds. Often kills engine when slowing down to a stop. At it's worst, it died every time you stopped. Since replacing various items (coolant, PCV, spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, coil) I thought I had it beat. The problem reappeared after a few months of short (less than 50 miles) trips with no problems. Brought on by a drive on the highway lasting over an hour. Currently the car falters at low idle after slowing down, but usually "catches itself" and resumes a normal idle. I would like to do more highway driving in a few weeks and would love to solve this riddle. Your help is appreciated very much.

here's what i'd do.

1. check the iacv, idle air control valve. they have a wire mesh filter in them, and they tend to get caked with soot and grime. clean that screen and it'll make it easier for the valve to kick in sufficient air for the motor to idle properly. reset hot idle speed per the book [or google this group]. also, make sure there's no gotchas like timing being out, etc.

1. check the valve lash. unlike a lot of other vehicles, the gap on hondas closes, not opens, so valves stay open longer, and this interferes with idle behavior. if they close too much, a valve can burn, and this /definitely/ affects idle behavior! you'll need to replace gaskets when doing this.

2. once you've eliminated those, and checked the throttle body, vacuum hoses, throttle linkages, etc, go back to the ignition system.

for ignition, only use honda parts for the distributor cap, rotor and coil. plugs and leads we discussed before. [you used ngk or denso plugs, right?] make sure there's no fingerprints from sweaty fingers on anything electrical, and that there's no cracking or tracking marks inside the cap or on the rotor. i've had a brand new rotor cap be defective before, so while unlikely, bear that in mind.

let us know how that turned out. also, there's no codes in the computer, correct? if there are any, report back.

Thanks, Jim. That's a lot to think over. And, yes - there are no trouble light codes associated with this problem.

My book doesn't cover the iacv, so I'll google around and see what I can find. Any hints where to find that mesh filter? Thanks again, I will let you know what happens.

helminc.com. the honda factory service manual covers /everything/.

it's pressed into to one end of the valve body. it cleans up just great with carb cleaner and a q-tip.