Hesitation after engine warmup

[BenjiBoy650]

Ok I've had this all along but it was just very noticeable today so I decided to post on it. The car is basically cutting out for just about 1/2 second right about the time when it gets up to normal operating temp from a cold start. I notice it more in the morning when I have the heater on, but it does occur when the heater isn't on. It's not dangerous but certainly an annoyance...kind of like if I just suddenly lifted off the gas. It seems to happen more often in 3rd or 4th gear.

So anybody got an idea of what this is? Also there is a TSB out on this but I know the site is having problems and I don't need it right away. I've also heard one or two other Accords have this problem. If it makes a difference my emissions levels are extremely high, 81PPM HC at idle and 21PPM HC at 2500RPM.

[princess]

I'll ask & see if there's some easy possibilities. Actually the emission numbers can be helpful!

[princess]

there is a bulletin 99-064, I can't post it though. It says the likely cause is incorrect base idle.

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally posted by princess
there is a bulletin 99-064, I can't post it though. It says the likely cause is incorrect base idle.

Thanks. I've checked the base idle and it's just about in line. Around 1500 when cold and 750 when warm. I think the norm is 1400 cold and 700 warm. One thing that might also be taken into consideration is that sometimes, particularly when its cold, the revs kind of "hang" between shifts. That could be due to the way I worked the pedal but thought I might as well throw the possibility out there.

[princess]

Here's the text only of the SB. When I described what you said to the prince, he admediately asked, "98 or 99?" Like it's THAT common.

Now if this is a cold only thing, that's not the same thing as described before.

Did you ever get your clutch replaced? You said it was pretty worn out. Could that be at least part of the odd feeling when shifting gears?

My Mom had a '95 LX auto & my daughter had a '94 LX 5-sp. (same minty blue/green) Both of them always felt odd to them & me at the shifts. The auto was from a stop. The 5-sp just was weird to me. She had dad check it out many times & there was nothing wrong. It did finally have a pedal problem. I don't remember the part, but it was hydraulic stuff on the inside...I think.

Sorry, I'm a bit out of it tonight. This stupid finger keeps throbbing, I'm freezing (just me, it's about 80 in here) & I'm starving. (Dinner's on the way.) I'm taking the night off! And to top it all off, the prince has to work tomorrow! He's normally off on Fridays.... so my weekend will be short. I guess I'm just whiny today!



 1999 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved ATB 20899 (9912)
Applies To: 1998–99 Accord – EX and LX with L4 Engine
99-064 Service Bulletin
December 21, 1999
Hesitation During Acceleration
SYMPTOM
A slight hesitation when accelerating from a complete
stop.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Incorrect base engine idle.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Adjust base engine idle using the PGM Tester.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty: The normal warranty applies.
OP # Description FRT Template ID
121351 Adjust base engine idle 0.3
99 064A
121092 Test-drive 0.3
99-Failed part: P/N 37820-PAA-L73
H/C 5859889
Defect code: 091
Contention code: C04
Template ID: 99-064A
Skill level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty: Any repair performed after warranty
expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration
by the District Service Manager or your Zone Office.
You must request consideratioop. The 5-sp just was weird to me. She had dad check it out many times & there was nothing wrong. It did finally have a pedal problem. I don't remember the part, but it was hydraulic stuff on the inside...I think.

Sorry, I'm a bit out of it tonight. This stupid finger keeps throbbing, I'm freezing (just me, it's about 80 in here) & I'm starving. (Dinner's on the way.) I'm taking the night off! And to top it all off, the prince has to work tomorrow! He's normally off on Fridays.... so my weekend will be short. I guess I'm just whiny today!



 1999 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved ATB 20899 (9912)
Applies To: 1998–99 Accord – EX and LX with L4 Engine
99-064 Service Bulletin
December 21, 1999
Hesitation During Acceleration
SYMPTOM
A slight hesitation when accelerating from a complete
stop.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Incorrect base engine idle.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Adjust base engine idle using the PGM Tester.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty: The normal warranty applies.
OP # Description FRT Template ID
121351 Adjust base engine idle 0.3
99 064A
121092 Test-drive 0.3
99-Failed part: P/N 37820-PAA-L73
H/C 5859889
Defect code: 091
Contention code: C04
Template ID: 99-064A
Skill level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty: Any repair performed after warranty
expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration
by the District Service Manager or your Zone Office.
You must request consideration, and get a decision,
before starting work.
DIAGNOSIS
While test-driving the vehicle, accelerate slowly from
a complete stop:

If the vehicle hesitates or stumbles, go to REPAIR
PROCEDURE.

If the vehicle does not hesitate or stumble, go to the
symptom troubleshooting index in the 1998–00
Accord Service Manual.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Turn the idle adjust screw clockwise until it stops,
then turn the idle adjust screw counterclockwise
3-1/2 turns.
IDLE ADJUST
SCREW
THROTTLE BODY
2. Connect the PGM Tester to the car, and turn the
ignition switch to ON (II).
3. Turn on the PGM Tester.
4. From the PROGRAM MENU, select 1: HONDA
SYSTEMS SN 000.
5. From the second PROGRAM MENU, select 1:
HONDA SYSTEMS.
6. From the VEHICLE CHECK screen display, verify
the model, engine, and transmission data of the
vehicle.
7. Enter the VIN.
8. Enter the vehicle’s mileage.
9. From the SYSTEM SELECT menu, select 1:
PGM-FI.
10. From the TEST MODE MENU, PGM-FI, select 6:
INSPECTION.
11. From the INSPECTION MENU, select 1: IDLE
ADJUST.
12. At the VEHICLE EQUIPMENT screen display of
Is the vehicle equipped with an idle adjust screw?
Select YES.
13. Follow the idle speed adjustment instructions
displayed on the PGM Tester.
14. Test-drive the vehicle to confirm the repair.:blush:

[BenjiBoy650]

Thanks for the text. Looks like DriveAccord is having problems with repeat sections of posts (again). Clutch hasn't been replaced yet.

A few things I noticed: I have only experience this right after the engine warmup. If I start the car when it's warm and take off, it doesn't happen. Also, it doesn't necessarily have to be a completely stop, in fact most of the times that I've noticed it was from a rolling stop.

[princess]

Sorry, I only clicked once.... I think. It's my clicker finger that's got an ouchie!

I'll ask to see if there's anything more specific about the symptoms. I may not get back until tomorrow.....


Definately not me. I just tried to fix & it refused!:(

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally posted by princess
Sorry, I only clicked once.... I think. It's my clicker finger that's got an ouchie!

I'll ask to see if there's anything more specific about the symptoms. I may not get back until tomorrow.....


Definately not me. I just tried to fix & it refused!:(

I know it's not you. Happened to me in some other thread too.

[princess]

I had my prince look at the numbers on your first post & they are only off a little. He says that could be a few things, but still suspects the BASE idle. The numbers would be higher if it were anything causing a misfire.

If the BASE idle isn't quite right it fools the computer into changing the air/fuel ratio, which in your model is noticable on acceleration.

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally posted by princess
I had my prince look at the numbers on your first post & they are only off a little. He says that could be a few things, but still suspects the BASE idle. The numbers would be higher if it were anything causing a misfire.

If the BASE idle isn't quite right it fools the computer into changing the air/fuel ratio, which in your model is noticable on acceleration.

Also another thing I notice sometimes is that the engine doesn't always seem to perform up to spec. Sometimes I can get it up to 3000RPM and have it still feel flat, like VTEC isn't working. It's the weirdest feeling...also could be just me not hitting the gas but I feel like I'm already on the gas too much. I never feel that *kick* that I normally notice around 2200RPM if it falls flat. It just seems to make more noise but not really accelerating.

[princess]

Still could be the Base idle. It would effect the acceleration up there too.

[BenjiBoy650]

Alright I guess I'll just go ahead and reset the base idle according to the specs on the TSB you typed out. Now to find that idle speed screw...