resetting idle parameters
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1
resetting idle parameters
I recently moved my daughter out of state and her car stopped running. It would not idle. I found a shop near where she is living and their fix was to "reset the idle parameters in the computer". I can not find this procedure anywhere on the internet and have asked a couple of mechanics about it to no avail. Is this a thing? Is it the same as the idle learn procedure? By the way, the car is a 2000 Honda Accord 4 cylinder. Just wondering if I should go back here if the need should arise.
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 908
From: Washington State, USA
Haven't heard that term before either. If take a step back, my likely solution would be to buy my newly-out-of-state daughter a AAA membership with 100 or 200 miles towing included and ask her to be sure the shop warranties the work. I'd try a Honda dealership - since you don't really want to go interstate to deal with a daughter's car start issue. Best of luck.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,398
From: Wisconsin
Here it is.
https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...e-speed-38734/
This procedure is straight out of the 1998-2002 factory shop manual (published by Helm). Hopefully, that's what the shop was referring to when they said "resetting the parameters in the computer". But it's a really funny phrase; maybe designed to make you think you can't do it yourself...
The idle speed control (programmed into the PCM) isn't being changed. But you DO HAVE TO go through all the things to check & repair, like vacuum leaks, air in the cooling system, and especially you have to un-do anything that may have been adjusted in a well-meaning attempt to fix the idle. Mostly, things that were normal adjustments in older cars, will confuse the idle-control system and it ends up fighting itself because the basic mechanical adjustments were messed up. Honda's idle-control system is not at all friendly towards people who want to "personalize" the settings or make shortcuts to that procedure, including the reset & re-learn.
Sounds like you have 3 choices...
Go out there & do this procedure on your daughter's car, including all the checks and make the setting to the letter.
Find a shop out there who's familiar with Hondas. (or a Honda dealer)
Find a shop out there who's willing to follow that procedure to the letter.
https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...e-speed-38734/
This procedure is straight out of the 1998-2002 factory shop manual (published by Helm). Hopefully, that's what the shop was referring to when they said "resetting the parameters in the computer". But it's a really funny phrase; maybe designed to make you think you can't do it yourself...
The idle speed control (programmed into the PCM) isn't being changed. But you DO HAVE TO go through all the things to check & repair, like vacuum leaks, air in the cooling system, and especially you have to un-do anything that may have been adjusted in a well-meaning attempt to fix the idle. Mostly, things that were normal adjustments in older cars, will confuse the idle-control system and it ends up fighting itself because the basic mechanical adjustments were messed up. Honda's idle-control system is not at all friendly towards people who want to "personalize" the settings or make shortcuts to that procedure, including the reset & re-learn.
Sounds like you have 3 choices...
Go out there & do this procedure on your daughter's car, including all the checks and make the setting to the letter.
Find a shop out there who's familiar with Hondas. (or a Honda dealer)
Find a shop out there who's willing to follow that procedure to the letter.
Last edited by JimBlake; Jul 30, 2019 at 08:51 AM.
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