My '02 TL-S has been snowbound for 5 weeks....the weather here has been snow rain ice rain ice flash freezes snow snow ice...you get the picture.


Had the car dug out today. Didn't want to start, but start it did !


Now the question/problem :


Idling rough, like she's missing. This smooths out at higher revs but still slightly noticeable. This is while in park, as she's still not movable. I let it idle a half hour or so and noticed some mild improvement.
Check Engine lamp, VTA and it's companion Hazard ! lamps are on.


Does she need to just get free and go for a good honk down the highway to dry and thaw her out completely, or is there something more.... sinister at play here ?


Thanks for any input, and c'mon Spring !


Cheers, Mike

 

AFAIK, you should get the codes before deciding if it is just a matter of going for a run or something needs to be tweaked/fixed first.

 

Yeah check the codes but I'm thinking maybe some moisture in the fuel

 

Idling rough = IACV you can start there.

 

I agree, sounds like frozen carbon in the IACV, as well as old cold wet fuel = throw some seafoam in at 2 oz per gal fuel, that will move the water thru, stabil does an excellent job at this too
BUT
were the lights on when you parked it, or they came on immediately after startup?
You may have a bad speed sensor or whatzit

don't forget to ck the PCV valve for clogging

Definitely make your first drive to the parts store for code read- report back here!

 

Thanks all for the input, appreciate it.

We're putting some fuel stabilizer in it later, and adding some fresh gas tomorrow.

My mechanic suspects either the fuel or the IACV as well.

No lamps on when parked all good. Not sure what tripped the VSA lamps, perhaps mild spinning when trying to see if she was free to move ? Shouldn't have tho.

 

No pics?

Man I love Novia Scotia!! There is a daily driven NSX up there, with almost 400K miles I believe.

 

ahhh the wheels were spinning,,likely at unintended high speeds and differing traction side to side = there's your false codes!

but get them read..
need someone to send you an obdi2? 150$ gets the best one Harbor Freight Tools has

 

Also, check for any vaccum leaks,rough idling can mean this as well had the same thing happen with An Accord that was sitting.

 

short update : my father put fuel stabilizer in today, and reports a great improvement in idling, nearly normal he says. Also, the VSA lamps are out, with only check engine lamp on solid.


I'll add some new gas tomorrow, and think about how to remove the 7 foot ice mound behind the car....can't get her out until that is gone. Buddy tried to take it out with his pickup truck plow...but said no can do.
Mother Nature may have to do the work....


"No pics?

Man I love Novia Scotia!! There is a daily driven NSX up there, with almost 400K miles I believe."


Sorry man, no pics taken of the poor thing encased in a mound of white ice. It was just a snow mound, car was hidden completely !


RE the NSX, I have indeed seen one tooling about here in Dartmouth a couple times, not sure if it's a local car or not. I would enjoy a ride in one.

 

Ok 2012wagon here's a couple poor pics I remembered were on my primitive phone.


The first one show a glimmer of a vehicle residing under the snow/ice after at least a couple feet was washed off in cold winter rain.


The second one with the full reveal was after a 3 hour hack and dig job. Hired a guy for $60 to do the work, money well spent sez I.


Still a 6 foot obstacle in back of the car, but that's the next project, LOL


She's now running smooth as silk. The Check Engine lamp is still on solid, but I'm thinking a reset might be all that's required.

As soon as I sat in the TL, the seat welcomed me back like an old friend and lover....warm and fuzzy memories...sniff....

When I got back in the TSX the little imp said lets get outta here and break the speed limit somewhere together....Once again I crumbled and fell under it's spell. Temptress...


Thanks all for your great input, there's lotta great knowledge out there.

 

Mice probably used the engine bay as shelter, Look for broken wires at each ignition coil. But definitely get the codes read for clues.