98 dx coupe starts and then almost cuts off 3 times?

[theregistrant]

Ive been having this problem with my car for about a year. id like to just clean up or repair the parts i have to avoid paying big bucks unless thats completely necissary. when i start my car after its been sitting for about 24 hours, it starts and sounds normal for about 10 seconds, then when the car begins to idle i have a big BIG problem. the car always idles so low it sounds like the engine is being choked off and it drops down to a "near cut off" and then revs super high after that as if i had slammeeed the gas. and that near cut off and high reving happens 3 times when i start my car but it still runs and drives. yeah.

after doing some brief reading around im beggining to think it could be any number of things including a bad IACV, or having no catalytic converter or 02 sensor, but strangely after almost dieing 3 times the car will run and drive normally. i recorded the audio with my phone if anyone thinks they need to hear it.

finally spending the big bucks to fix my car up, i bought new ngk spark plugs and spark plug wires and just had an oil change less than 300 miles ago with sinthetic. im going to carparts.com every day looking for a solution to this.

thanks in advance guys im new i apreciate you reading this long thing!

 

[RonJ]

As an aside, seriously consider also replacing the distributor cap and rotor.

As for the idle problem, is the CEL on and are any codes thrown?

If not, remove the throttle body (TB) and then thoroughly clean it and the IACV with brake cleaner. Re-install the TB with a new gasket, torque the TB nuts and bolts to spec, and adjust the throttle cable to have a little bit of slack.

Then reset the ECU and go from there.

 

[xxBLOOD88SHOTxx]

Is the car throwing any codes (is the check engine light on?)

Your car shouldn't have a FITV, but it should have a IACV on the back of the manifold

Google it, there is like 50 threads on how to clean it. Even if it isn't your exactly problem, it wouldn't hurt to do.

GGGGRRRRR Ron I was doing something else while typing this lol

 

[theregistrant]

wow, your the man i didnt expect any answers for days thanks.
YES my check engine ligght has been on for years because the previous owner (that bastard) removed the catalytic converter and didnt say s**t then dissapeared so now i cant pass the e check and im getting bad gas mileage ON TOP of the cut off problem

 

[RonJ]

For the CEL codes, reset the ECU, drive car until CEL turns on, then pull the codes and post them.

 

[theregistrant]

For the CEL codes, reset the ECU, drive car until CEL turns on, then pull the codes and post them.

gotta admit im not an expert whats an ECU and how do i reset it? the car has no oxygen sensor at all

 

[RonJ]

gotta admit im not an expert whats an ECU and how do i reset it?

Open the hood and the hood fuse box is located near the battery. Remove the lid on the fuse box and look at the illustration printed on it. It will tell you the location of the 7.5A Back Up fuse. Remove that fuse for about 5 minutes and then re-install it. Then take the car for a drive. When you return home, remove the passenger kick panel and then jump the service connector to pull the CEL codes. Too learn how, click the codes sticky in my signature.