I still haven't had a chance to address the problem because the car is at a friends and I get limited time. I did tell her to take the car for a good 45min drive into the country hoping the "re-learn idle" suggestion would yield results. She told me it's still doing it but added that it ceases to do this when the AC is off. I've yet to confirm but thought I would throw it out there for all the Click & Clack types. I still suspect a switch.

 

It could well be a sticking IACV. When idling engine is unloaded (no AC), idle is stable, but when load is added IACV attempts to add more air by increasing open time. It may be going open sticking open, and finally closing.

Most Accords do this occasionally. My 94 EX will but will go away as engine warms.

It may be cleaning the IACV will fix. I've also seen idle speed cycling caused by massive air leak; PCV leak or vacuum booster leak.

good luck

 

A friend has a '99 Civic (D16 engine) and I looked up the idle procedure. I was surprised to learn that you leave the IACV connected; and adjust the idle-air screw for 700 +/- 50 RPM. That's with the engine hot, and no accessory loads.

Honda IACV controls are a bit funny and they don't seem to adapt well to personal taste. If you're tempted to shoot for a different idle, say you'd "like" your car to idle at 850 instead of 700, it's going to have trouble when accessory loads switch on & off.

 

verify that the dizzy needs replacing by doing the spark test
1. remove the spark plug
2. attach spark wire to spark plug
3. while starting the car, hold the wire with spark plug against a metal part of the engine and look for spark-you may need a friend for this