Check Engine Rough Idle VTM4 Light On

[mlabree]

Check Engine light is on. After a few minutes the RPM's start to fluctuate between 1000-1500 in both Park and Neutral. The VTM Light has come on. Funny thing is when, I turn the A/C on the rough idle stops. VTM light stays on and so does the check engine light

I am heading to Autozone to take advantage of the free code reading as I have the factory MX Book

2004 Honda Pilot EX

Any ideas in the meantime would be greatly appreciated. Hoping its a sensor and not something more expensive.

[mlabree]

DTC P0505 Idle Control System Malfunction. The good news/bad news is PTC1519 did not appear. Page 11-107 of the Factory Maintenance Manual provides some trouble shooting ideas which I will take on tomorrow. If that does not work.... To Honda goes the Pilot on Monday Morning for what I hope is an inexpensive fix

[belundy]

Idle Air Control Valve is sticking, which is causing the idle hunting and setting codes. The AC compressor puts load on the engine which brings the system back into stability. Mine did the same thing a year ago.

Sometimes you can get it to behave by whacking the bottom of throttle body with a screwdriver handle or socket extension.

I was able to permanently fix mine by using a can of of throttle body spray cleaner on the throttle body throat and the idle port. If you are reasonably handy or know someone who is, it's a simple thing to try before spending $$ on a new IACV and labor.

[mlabree]

Originally posted by belundy
Idle Air Control Valve is sticking, which is causing the idle hunting and setting codes. The AC compressor puts load on the engine which brings the system back into stability. Mine did the same thing a year ago.

Sometimes you can get it to behave by whacking the bottom of throttle body with a screwdriver handle or socket extension.

I was able to permanently fix mine by using a can of of throttle body spray cleaner on the throttle body throat and the idle port. If you are reasonably handy or know someone who is, it's a simple thing to try before spending $$ on a new IACV and labor.

I fixed my idle problem I think. I followed the "trouble shooting" guide in the manual but, I can not get the "check engine" light off to verify I have indeed corrected the problem....

[mlabree]

Check engine light went out while driving to work today..... YAHOO

[MinMet]

Originally posted by mlabree


I fixed my idle problem I think. I followed the "trouble shooting" guide in the manual but, I can not get the "check engine" light off to verify I have indeed corrected the problem....

Care to share what you did with fellow Piloters? We may encounter same problem sometime and would like to have a memory here.

[Copyshack]

Is there a difference between the "Idle Air Control Valve" and an "Idle Control Valve", which I just had replaced. I still have this same problem by the way.

[PA PILOT]

I just had the same problem. I had it checked by a Honda dealer who replaced the Idle Air Contol Valve. Fortunately I have a Honda Care Warranty which covered the $289.91 cost. I will keep belundy's fix in mind in case of future problems as I do not have much time left on the warranty.

2003 Pilot EX
69,100 miles

[Wolfman_matt]

My pilot has the symptoms described in this thread but I will take it to Autozone to confirm with the engine codes later today.

Are there any concerns with driving the vehicle in this condition?

Has anyone changed out this sensor or is the cleaning described here typically a success?

Thanks Matt

[RodentRanger]

Originally posted by Wolfman_matt
My pilot has the symptoms described in this thread but I will take it to Autozone to confirm with the engine codes later today.

Are there any concerns with driving the vehicle in this condition?

Has anyone changed out this sensor or is the cleaning described here typically a success?

Thanks Matt

Yeah that. Hubby seems to keep finding better things to do than deal with my car.

[Wolfman_matt]

The problem seems to have corrected itself...no warning lights and no issues with idle on the return trip.

Maybe it was just a case of bad gas? I'm sure there is some of that going around and not just during the holidays...

[RodentRanger]

Originally posted by Wolfman_matt
The problem seems to have corrected itself...no warning lights and no issues with idle on the return trip.

Maybe it was just a case of bad gas? I'm sure there is some of that going around and not just during the holidays...

Our light went off but continued to idle poorly. Light came back on yesterday and it idled fine.

[barugg]

Malfunction light came on yesterday with engine revving up and down. Took it down to Auto Zone to check the code. Code P0505. As the employee was showing me where the air control valve was (since it might be dirty) We discovered a hose had beocme disconnected. He put it back together and voila! Problem solved. I was very appreciative that he took the time to take the plastic cover off to expose the fuel injection components and thus the hose. Simple fix. Moral of the story...check all of your hoses to see that they are connected and not broken.

[RodentRanger]

Hubby whacked the throttle body as suggested above and now the Pilot idles fine and the light went off.

[belundy]

Ah, what a good thumpin' can accomplish...good mechanics always carry a hammer.