Hey all,

Most of you know that I have a 2002 TL-S, but it's the same as the CL-S so figured I'd post here. I apologize in advance for the lenght of the post, but wanted to give as much detail as possible....

So anyway, I have my TL-S... about 73k miles on it. Back in March I had my 75k mile service and tranny recall done at Park Ave Acura. End of March I drove the car to Charlotte, NC from NY when we moved. After the move I drove it a bit around town, but I've probably only put about 300 miles on it since April 1... and I haven't driven it in a while, but it was fine during all of that time.

So the other day I start the car to move it so I can shoot hoops, and it won't stay at idle... it keeps revving by itself. Not revving high, but goes from idle to about 2.5k and back down.. up and down... and i'm not even in the car. I don't think anything of it... and I move it, shut the car down and shoot around. Later I move it back with no problems.

Yesterday I decide to take it out to keep everything nice and lubed up. Start the car and it's fine, go inside for 15 seconds to get something, come out, it's doing idle thing again. Figure no big deal, so I move the car out of its spot and into the middle of the drivewya to hose it off b/c it was dirty. I get out, get the hose, and it starts doing a quicker rev thing... again, by itself, similar to last time, but a quicker pace. I figure I just need to drive it... so I get back in... and the ! is on, the VSA text light is on, and the check engine light is on. I immediately think tranny and park it and take my wifes car... but how can it be the tranny? I've already been through one and I never had revving problems, just driving problems.

Soooo, I have no idea what it is. Is it something simple, or am I going to have to risk driving it to the dealer. Any ideas??

 

Check if the throttle-cable or cruise-control cable is too tight... give both some slack. The only way for idle to rise is for air to get in, so check for leaks; disconnected vacuum lines etc.

 

Do you have an aftermarket intake?

 

Sounds like something up with throttle body. While it's different vehicle, however my little brother had the same rev issue when he had a Civic. After replacement it disappeared.

 

It could be a vacuum leak, but you haven't touched anything related to vacuum then it is probably the Idle Air Control Valve. You could scan the code to find out or you could reset the ECU by taking off the negative terminal for about 20min. The ECU might be searching for a base idle and that is why it is revving up and down. Resetting the ECU might eliminate your problem.

 

Thanks for the replies guys!!

I do in fact have an Injen intake... but that intake was installed in December of 2001. I haven't been under the hood in 6 months... and I haven't driven much at all since I moved... so maybe I'll snoop around, make sure nothing came loose, then try to reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery.

 

Idle air control valve

 

Yup IAC valve has failed or is on it's way to failing .

Yeah I still read the pages I just live a little farther away than I used to .

Jens

 

IAC valve, located under the throttle body.

 

Just to reiterate, IAC.

And I was just about to be in Charlotte today. Ended up in Kinston, NC instead.

Hope your move to Charlotte has been a good on.

 

Hi Jens. Hope all is well in Germany. We miss your expertise on the boards.

 

I missed that until Allout opened my eyes. Hey Jens, good to see you around. I hope all is going well over yonder.

 

Glad to see our Acura expert is still lurking. Your cabin air filter instructions and other help have saved members $$$$ and preevnted anxiety. Thanks!

 

Hey everybody I just thought I would pop in and see what the nicest bunch of car people in the world are doing these days .Life here in Germany is excellent but contrary to a few posts I read I am no longer involved with the car industry .I actually work for GSK Biologicals (we make influenza medicine for example) .
I was actually wondering if I could post something here not directly car related I guess, but more a note of thanks .Please let me know if this would be alright as most of the poeple I know from the boards were directly from the CL pages so I though if I could post here it would get read by the people I know the best . Thanks again .

Jens

 

So you are now in the Pharma market eh... Is this a German GSK or a portion of Glaxo. If the later then I was near one of the RTP, NC facilities earlier today.

Anyway and again, good to see you here.

 

I personally would encourage you to post when you have the opportunity. You have a lot of friends here. I think the bonds you've made here go way deeper than the technical knowledge.

Hopefully, you're now able to use your knowledge of cars for your own personal enjoyment

 

Glaxo Smith Kline
<--- Works in clincal research.

Jens, Glad your doing well. I remember your most helpful posts, and glad to hear your doing well.
I don't think anyone would mind if you post that, as the powers that be here know you and would be interested to hear/read from you.

 

Of course you can, you're more than welcome... make a thread in Ramblings or if your more comfortable, make a thread in here in the 2nd Gen CL section, the choice is yours old buddy.

 

Yup GSK here too in Dresden aka. Sächsisches Serum Werk or SSW for short .

Jens

 

Wow... I got replies from Jens!! How awesome!! Welcome back If you want to post a note... you do it wherever you want. I'm sure everyone will be happy to see ya!!

Anyway, I think it's on it's way out. Finally had a chance to look at it.. and here's what happens....

As soon as I start the car the check engine light is on. Car idles normally at higher RPMs as the car is warming up.

Once the car is warmed... RPMs drop down to about 500RPM or so.. which is normal. Stays there for about 20 seconds.

Then the RPMs jump to 1500.... and the car starts quickly "revving". The RPMs don't move much.. probably goes from 1400 to 1500, but it just keeps doing that... and at this point the VSA light and "!" are on.

So that's where we are. I checked all connections all cables, made sure everything was nice nice... and it is... so I guess I need to get to the dealer to have the IAC looked at. Is the car driveable or should I have Acura tow it to the dealer, which is about 17 miles away one-way??

Thanks again all!!

 

Hey!! So far so good. We're loving it down here. If you are in the area, shoot me an email (juniorbean@yahoo.com). WOuld love to meet up for a beer and some grub!!

 

That failure you describe is typical for a bad (jammed or clogged) AIC valve .What hapens is the stepper motor cannot accurately move the air valve causing the idle to jump erratically .Since this sort of failure could potentially affect emissions the car is designed to throw the check engine light should this exact sort of thing occur .

Although I am no longer in the car business anymore (just another customer at Adam Alfa Romeo in Pirna )I am not going to be able to really help anyone with anything newer than what was on the road last year but I will keep an eye open here to see where I can chime in with some helpful ideas and things along that line.

I will try to post my letter to the membership as soon as I get a chance to actually sit in front of the laptop long enough to think about what I am writing .I am building a house here so my hands are sort of very full with chores and as soon as I move in (2 weeks at the most ) I will likely have no internet access untill T-Com gets it's act togehter to get some service to my house .So pleeeeease bear with me .

Thanks , Jens

 

had the same problem took it to the dealer and they replaced the IAC valve problem solved. really triped me out at first. get it checked.

 

OK, thanks for the replies again guys!! I'll contact the dealer today...

 

There is no need to tow it there. Your car is just searching for an idle. It will run fine just won't idle right.

 

Thanks for the confirm Josh!!

 

Well it only took about a month... but the traveling has ceased and I brought the car in today.

You guys were dead-on... IAC replaced, car runs like a champ now

Once the new title comes, for sale it goes

 

Jr. was the Intake Air Control Valve covered under Warranty? or did you say your warranty expired...

too lazy to read today...

 

same shit is happeneing to my car, gotta take it in