Why is my idle running high(about 1500 rpm) and sometimes it goes up and down ?

125

Asked by xisanx Apr 13, 2008 at 01:31 AM about the 1992 Honda Civic LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Is it expensive to fix ? Also, sometimes I have to gun the gas to bring down the idle and than it goes up than down.  Thanks.

12 Answers

sounds like a bad throtle position senser or a vacume leek.

36 people found this helpful.
125

Thanks for the reply. How much do you think it would cost to repair either problem ?

10 people found this helpful.
83,745

Probably under $150 depending on labor rate and diagnosis time involved.

3 people found this helpful.
165

it may just be the automatic choke, does this happen on colder days?

16 people found this helpful.
215

wow, ok. well its your fast idle thermo valve. its full of carbon. just take off your intake tube and there is a hole on the bottom left. clean out that hole with carb cleaner and maybe some intake cleaner and keep your car running manually or it might die. then let it run for about 10 or 15 and you should be good. otherwise you need a new one

20 people found this helpful.
165

Idle air control motor are notorious for messing with the idle speed happened to a buddy. Easiest solution junkyard little time and 20 bucks. Cheapest way to try to resolve the problem if you need a new one. I call it an Idle air control motor the post above may be the same thing.

9 people found this helpful.
6,885

Make sure the coolant is full, Hondas can have surging idle speeds if the coolant is too low.

19 people found this helpful.
170

My 1999 civic lx is running at 1500 rpm while parked. Changed the idle control valve and it ran good for two days , I replaced a bad alternator and when I drove the car it ran steady at 1500 rpm . Any suggestions?

17 people found this helpful.
20

any idea where can I bring the Honda city lxi for the rpm dropping....at auto shop...

2 people found this helpful.
90

I have a 99 civic lx. Had the same problem. I got a bottle of fuel system cleaner which I put in my gas tank and then filled it up. I drove the car around a few days and its all cleared up . My civic is now idling 600 rpm.. I have also stopped buying the cheap gas. And only use permium 91-93. Strangely the car runs smoother and faster. I have been using the same fuel system treatment every 2 months on a tank of gas My Civic runs like new no check lights. Also change your air filter at least as scheduled.

9 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Civic

Looking for a Used Civic in your area?

CarGurus has 4,034 nationwide Civic listings starting at $440.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    ColdinMA
    Reputation
    2,370
  • #2
    Guru9CNGV
    Reputation
    2,110
  • #3
    GuruDMD1V
    Reputation
    2,090
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
50 Great Deals out of 973 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Corolla
135 Great Deals out of 2,300 listings starting at $103
Used Toyota Camry
46 Great Deals out of 1,149 listings starting at $2,500
Used Honda Civic Coupe
13 Great Deals out of 268 listings starting at $3,800
Used Hyundai Elantra
157 Great Deals out of 3,058 listings starting at $1,995
Used Ford Mustang
37 Great Deals out of 1,639 listings starting at $8,800
Used Nissan Altima
25 Great Deals out of 680 listings starting at $3,795
Used BMW 3 Series
64 Great Deals out of 1,204 listings starting at $2,500

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.