Rep Power: 0

Car: 2001 Honda Civic EX Coupe
(If your too lazy to read skip to the bottom)

Ok so this was my first project I've done to my car besides changing the oil and some wheel stuff but I don't want to get into that much.

So I had rough idle problems so I looked around the web and found helpful insights on the causes, cleaning the IACV and TB was one of them.
I followed the procedure "DIY: forgotten tune-up mods" on this forum but couldn't get it quite as clean as the OP. I put everything back together but I had a hard time getting the air filter compartment on, it's the stock one which looks really beat up and is extremely difficult to remove without using force and even more frustrating to put back on. I got it back on there ok except one screw didn't fit, idk why but I messed with it for like 2 hours before I said eff it I'm going to leave it that way. I'm doing the idle learn process and of course it's not idling correctly but the check engine light comes on and I wasn't sure why but rumbling of the car didn't sound normal at all to me, it sounded more like a soft revving than an idle. I got scared so I came to post on here and I hope you guys can help me out and give me the 411 on this so I won't be deterred from another DIY project later :P

Summed up: Cleaned IACV and TB, reassembled, air filter compartment doesn't fit correctly oh well(2hoursoftrying!!!), idle learn process, check engine light comes on, idle sounds like revving, I get scared and stop project.
Did I mess up or will the check engine light go away by itself?

Thanx in advance for helping, especially if you read it all


Could a mod/admin move the thread to the proper location, sorry for the inconvenience

 
Rep Power: 284

I freaked out when my engine didn't sound right after cleaning out the EGR valve, all I needed to do was take it apart and add a new gasket in the end. If you don't have success with the idle learn process, which I would attempt again, then you still have a few options.

The first would be to take everything apart again, and reassemble it from the beginning. It might be simply that you put something on in reverse or not in quite right, and you could correct a problem like that by checking over your work. The next option would be to take the car to a local auto parts store and have them read the CEL codes for you, that would tell you exactly what is wrong and we could provide a solution from there.

I'd also suggest that you read over all the posts in forgotten tune up mods, someone else might have had this problem and already have the solution posted in the thread. I'm sure Gearbox will also be chipping in later, and he should be able to steer you in the right direction.

Don't get to frustrated with bolts not fitting or get scared when your engine makes a funny noise, its part of doing this type of work yourself, theres a reason why people take their cares to mechanics after all. The more experience you have the easier it will get!

 
Rep Power: 351

+1 rep for you mindbomber. how u are in the green zone!

double green since its from me!

 
Rep Power: 811

check the engine light at any auto store, it will tell you whats wrong. maybe you forgot to plug in a sensor or vacuum line. double check everything. check the throttle cable tightness, make sure its not too tight and can move in/out about 1/2 inch.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you guys for the fast reply and helpful replies! I double checked everything this morning and it turned out that I forgot to plug in a cable!!!
I guess that's what I get for working late into the dark. I plugged the cable back in and redid the idle relearn. The check engine light immediately turned off and everything began working as it should.
I feel like such a noob :P but like MindBomber said it's about getting the experience in.
Thanx guys you really helped me a lot!

 
Rep Power: 284

FINALLY!!

Thank you, I've been given rep a few times but I took me forever to get into the green!

 
Rep Power: 284

Happy to help man, its intimidating when your first start out and something goes wrong, but just keep a cool head and it will always work out. One thing I've learned, the calmer you stay the easier it is to work past a minor mistake like that!

Btw, getting the stock airbox on is a @#$%&!!!

 
Rep Power: 228

i did the same thing twice, lol. one was a cable next to the acv, the other i put all the clips back when changing my sparkplugs but one didn't click in all the way. i was soooo confused because they all looked like they were in and the car sounded f'ed! lol

 
Rep Power: 0

Ive been dealing with this same issue. I did the same things you did. What ive learned to understand is the sensors are just too sensitive for cleaning. I was blowing a IAC code, then went away after 1000mi then next came the IAT sensor from taking the airbox off multiple times to check for obvious signs. IAT sensor code went away after unplugging and re plugging the sensor in and going through idle relearn.

In sum, it took an honest ~2000 miles before all the sensors were happy and was able to have my CEL go away. Not sure if you used cleaner for carbon build up in the intake but i used seafoam and it made me blow a catalyst below efficiency code for ~2000 miles as well. It just magically became normal the other day and luckily got it in to pass inspection in time.

Lesson: dont mess with it if it is functioning. Or, buy new unit.