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2002 Ody: Idle going up & down

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OdyAngel

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello friends from Odyclub

I have been noticing a intermittent problem on my 02 Ody when waiting on a light, while holding the breaks. The idle starts going up (more about 200 rpm) and returns to normal for 2 seconds and starts going up again and so on. When driving, everything seems to be ok. The van has low millage (29,000 KM) and it's still like new.

I have brought the van for a oil change this morning and told the technician to check the problem. He thought it was the idle control or maybe something to do with the trottle cable but after verifying both he said it wasn't that. The mechanic took the van (without asking, arrrgh) for a drive to see if the problem would continue and used a sort of computer to see if a «code» would show up. After waiting for him for about 15 minutes, he came back telling me that the problem didn't occure and that he didn't have a clue of the problem. I went back home and It started to do it again.

As anyone experienced this problem or have an idea of what it could be ?

Thank you in advance for your help. Merci.

Louise
 
#3 ·
I had the same problem and was very intermittent when it first started. Eventually it threw a CEL and TCS code.

Turned out the be the IAC (idle air control) valve. Pretty easy DIY, the dealer wanted $280 to do it. The part cost about $100 and is located under the throttle body. It also could be the EGR or vacuum.

You can read about it here:http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16114

Good luck
 
#4 ·
If the rad is full, and the reservoir is half-full, could it be something to do with the Air Conditioning?

Another clue: Does it do it in Park, with foot OFF the brake pedal, or only when you're drawing vacuum.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Originally posted by GenOne

Another clue: Does it do it in Park, with foot OFF the brake pedal, or only when you're drawing vacuum. [/B]
Click to expand...
Thank you all for your help. GenOne, it does not happen in Park but only when holding the breaks on Drive. The Air conditionning is also Off. I still have the problem and no code yet.

Louise
 
#6 · (Edited)
I've had the same problem on my 2002 Ody now for over a year. It's intermittent and the idle goes up and down as you say 200 rpm every 2 seconds or so. I've been able to reproduce the problem by pushing or pulling on the intake manifold aluminum (plastic cover removed). So at first I though...must be an intake manifold leak. I took off all the pieces of the intake manifold, resealed every gasket with a little bit of silicon, but it didn't help. Tried using gumout and propane to find the leak everywhere, but found no evidence of a leak.

Then I read in the some of the forum postings that it may be the EGR, so I took that apart, cleaned it and made sure it moves up and down. I didn't think it was the idle air valve because I can induce the problem by pushing and pulling on the engine. Then I found that I didn't have to push and pull on the intake manifold to induce the problem. I can wedge a crow bar on the passenger side engine block mount and make slight movements and then the problem will occur. So I though...maybe it's the flexible exhaust joint near the catalytic converter that has a leak and causing a false reading on the oxygen sensor. So I replaced that as well. But still no fix.

I think I'm getting close to finding the problem, but in my case, I think it may be a bad connection or a loose wire. Could be some other loose mechanical part as well because small engine movements can cause this erratic idle to come and go.

I've ignored this problem for now because it is mostly just irritating, but I think I better look harder because it may cause it to fail the next smog check. If I finally find the problem, I'll post a solution, otherwise if anyone finds the problem before me, I hope they will post the solution.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I read a post once where the power steering pressure sensor, or it`s wire harness/connector, was at fault, causing erratic idling. This sensor normally does induce a slightly higher engine rev when the ps reaches it`s limit, to increase the ps pressure a bit. Maybe this sensor is located on the rack , near the passenger side, instead of on the ps pump.
Might be worth a check.
 
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#8 ·
Pauln, just a suggestion: call around and see if one of your local parts stores will pull codes with a scan tool. Many will provide this service free of charge.
 
#9 ·
I have already tried pulling codes. There were no codes stored. I could always take the easy way out and send the van to the dealer because it is still under warranty, but being the tinkering type that I am, the curious side of me have undertaken this as a personal challenge. I'll definitely take twiggy144's suggestion of looking at the steering pressure sensor and other wires as well. Thanks.


hlweyl said:
Pauln, just a suggestion: call around and see if one of your local parts stores will pull codes with a scan tool. Many will provide this service free of charge.
Click to expand...
 
#10 ·
Problem is fixed for me! Thanks to twiggy144, the problem was indeed the power steering pressure switch connector. This is located on the passenger side engine compartment near the bottom, just inboard of the right side tire area. Just follow one of the power steering lines down to where the rack is located and the switch is right there. I basically poked at the connector with a stick and sure enough, the idle fluctuates when I touch the connector. I disconnected and cleaned the connection as best I can and now the idle is stable. Simple 15 minutes job.
 
#11 · (Edited)
pauln119 said:
Problem is fixed for me! Thanks to twiggy144, the problem was indeed the power steering pressure switch connector. This is located on the passenger side engine compartment near the bottom, just inboard of the right side tire area. Just follow one of the power steering lines down to where the rack is located and the switch is right there. I basically poked at the connector with a stick and sure enough, the idle fluctuates when I touch the connector. I disconnected and cleaned the connection as best I can and now the idle is stable. Simple 15 minutes job.
Click to expand...
Congratulations. I have a quick question.
How do i find the power steering lines? where do I start?
How does the switch look like?

follow up question: do i have to go under the van or remove the left tire to access the switch. Sorry I am newbie to mechanical.

I appreciate your prompt reply.
Thanks,
 
#13 ·
Worked for me too!!!

Hello Forum,

I have had the idle fluctuation issue for the past two months or so and just went to the dealer this afternoon to by some gaskets (EGR, Throttle Body, IAC) because I was going to remove the IAC and clean with some Seafoam ( I love that stuff) to see if it would solve the Idle issue. Well before I started to remove the IAC, I figured I would play around with power steering pressure switch first as I read some posts on it here. I started the van, turned the wheels hard left, reached under the van and grabbed the connection on the pressure switch and started to wiggle it and I'll be dog-gone if that idle didn't start jumping all over the place. I unplugged it and put some di-electric silicone in the plug and now the idle is fine.

I love this place.

Sean
 
#14 ·
The issue of my idling has been resolve. Do not bring it to dealership or mechanic. Try first wiggling the power steering cable and all the cables you see behind the engine. I wiggled it for 5 seconds and no idling for over a month now. I saved $200- 300 bucks...Hope this helps
 
#15 ·
Erattric Idle

I want to thank all the posters here. Reading the posts here saved me allot of wasted effort and money. My 2003 odyssey had the broken wire at the power steering pressure valve just as described here. FYI the IAC valve for my odyssey is $175.00 and that is aftermarket! Thank you all for your posts!!!
 
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