My daughter has a 1993 Accord. When you start the car the RPM goes from 1000-5000 and then back. It continues to go up and down. Does anyone know what his could be? My daughter had to have the car towed to the house. The linkage isn't stuck.

 

Is the check engine light on?

 

Be sure the engine is full of coolant and block burped thru the 12mm bleed port at the
t-stat housing.
Next would be to check the FITV, you can take the lid off [ 2 phillips screws] and look in to see the brass cone sticking up in the center of the screw ring.
When cold the cone is down/open to allow extra air thru, when warm you should not be able to hear air bypassing.
You can turn the screw ring down a few turns until the idle surge goes away.

 

no there isn't a light on. There is a little light that says maintenance required

 

I just want to be thorough. Do the actual engine RPMs go up and down, or is it just the gauge?

 

Check this. Remove and clean, the screen is might be black and cloudy or buy another.

 

Removed and clean with brake fluid. this part or buy another..[