Alex Rodriguez wrote:
>I got a call from my inlaws because thier 88 Accord LX was idling high. I
>had changed the timing belt and alternator on this car about 5k miles ago.
>No problems, except for a easily fixed squealing belt, after the work was
>done. They recently took the car in to get inspected and the mechanic told
>them the car was not going to pass inspection unless they cleaned the
>carburetor. Apparently the mechanic used a whole can on the carb and then
>the car passed inspection. Shortly thereafter the idle speed jumped. When the
>car is cold if you step on the gas the idle speed drops to about 1k. After the
>car warms up, it idles at around 2k. I'm going to give the car the once over
>this weekend. Anyone have any tips on where I might start looking for the
>problem?
>--------------
>Alex

Is it an auto trans? If so, a common problem with that model (I'm still
driving our '88 Accord LX back and forth to work so I'm VERY familiar with
that vehicle) is a faulty Frequency Valve C which causes this symptom. I
replaced the original one around four years ago with a used one(around $40)
from Matta Motors(www.mattamotors.com). When I bought it they confirmed that
it was a very common problem and were very familiar with it. It was fine
until a year ago and then it would again occasionally refuse to kick down to
normal idle speed....racing at 2000+ rpm when in P or N. I've found that
smacking the side of it several times with a wrench works wonders

It's the small, black cylinder-shaped thing on the passenger's side(mounted
in the fender well) in the engine bay. It's located directly under the
fusebox and it has TWO vacuum hoses going to it.

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