'93 Civic Stalls

[itsjuststeve]

1993 Honda Civic EX
Automatic Transmission

Within the past couple weeks after about 10 minutes of driving when I am stopped for more than 15-30 seconds my Civic will try to stall. The RPM will dip down low, the engine will stutter, and then it will catch and go back up a little bit. The longer I sit the more frequently it occurs, and the lower the RPM goes. If it does this long enough, when I start driving, it will stutter quite a bit until I get over about 20mph or so.

Last week was the first time it actually stalled after quite a bit of driving. I was backing out of a parking space and when I stopped, before I put it in drive, the engine died. So I took it to a mechanic across the street and he listened to it and told me it sounded like it was misfiring and recommended a tune-up.

If I get a tune-up, it will have to wait because I can't afford the $245 right now. Does it sound like I should get a full tune-up? I have had a couple people tell me just to replace the spark plugs, one who told me it might be the cap, and another who said fuel filter but I don't think it would be that because it does ok at high RPMs.

What do you all think I should do?

[edit] I forgot to mention, many times when the RPM starts dipping down real low, I seem to lose a little brake pressure. What could this mean? [/edit]

[airlik73]

-update: site with manual located-hondatech.info: Honda service manuals

Hope this can help.
I would check the throttle body, clean it, check.change air filter (for socks stuck in intake...??), but this part called the "Idle Adjust Control Valve" determines your idling speed, and the throttle body sends pressure to your brake booster also, which relates to the loss of brake pressure when your idle drops. The, IAC, or sometime Idle adjusting valve, only needs to be turned at small amounts. I don't have the books for you car, but took a few snaps of the 96-2000 engine area so you can get some idea.

collegehillshondaparts.com , will give you part pictures by car, I found a 93-auto-DX engine, #17 is the IAC.

I hope this helps and gives you a start with troubleshooting.
The Idle speed should be in your manual or you can google the proper speed, usually 750-/+ RPM after warming up and in neutral.

Picture links:



ERiC