2003 Pilot Oscillating Idle - Honda Pilot

oasis58 · 11-09-2011, 01:57 PM

Recently my Pilot's idle has started oscillating (high/low) when engine is at idle. Any leads as to what might be causing this?. Just lost my job and want to tackle this myself if I can. Vehicle has always been dealer maintained but just can't afford to bring it to the shop at this time. Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

rocky · 11-09-2011, 02:26 PM

Is the AC system off? AC cycling can cause variable idle.
First place to look is the IAC, Idle Air Control. It may well be dirty. Carb cleaner such as gum out from the local auto parts store would be the solution.

oasis58 · 11-09-2011, 03:06 PM

Yes A/C is off & will certainly get in there & try to clean IAC. Are you familiar with the 2003 Pilot? if so, can you roughly tell me how to locate the IAC?

rocky · 11-09-2011, 03:41 PM

Here is a thread for you.

Idle Air Control Valve (IACV)

oasis58 · 11-09-2011, 09:37 PM

I got in there & sprayed carb cleaner throughout the throttle valve body with engine running & did nothing to alter the erratic idle. I then proceeded to check all connections to several components attached to the throttle valve body. I systematically disconnected each to check for corrosion but found none. Somehow in doing so, my problem has disappeared! Not sure if this will permanently correct the problem but for now I am happy that with a little time, effort & $0 dollars it has gone away. Thanks for the advice!

playstrings · 12-11-2011, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the follow up, it appears there may have been a vacuum leak that you tidied up. Taking the time to properly clean the throttle body is just good maintenance. Just spraying cleaner in there does little , you need to clean it up using a brush and rag so the butterfly will seat cleanly. FWIW ...

caseyw3k · 12-24-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playstrings

Thanks for the follow up, it appears there may have been a vacuum leak that you tidied up. Taking the time to properly clean the throttle body is just good maintenance. Just spraying cleaner in there does little , you need to clean it up using a brush and rag so the butterfly will seat cleanly. FWIW ...

I have a 2004 Pilot with 187K miles. Had the same idle issue and sprayed TB cleaner in the TB area and into the hole going into the IAC. Problem corrected. If it happens again I will remove the TB and properly clean all the components.

11-09-2011, 01:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
oasis58 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Metairie, La. Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2003 Pilot Oscillating Idle Recently my Pilot's idle has started oscillating (high/low) when engine is at idle. Any leads as to what might be causing this?. Just lost my job and want to tackle this myself if I can. Vehicle has always been dealer maintained but just can't afford to bring it to the shop at this time. Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

11-09-2011, 02:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 7,178 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is the AC system off? AC cycling can cause variable idle. First place to look is the IAC, Idle Air Control. It may well be dirty. Carb cleaner such as gum out from the local auto parts store would be the solution. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662

11-09-2011, 03:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
oasis58 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Metairie, La. Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks! Yes A/C is off & will certainly get in there & try to clean IAC. Are you familiar with the 2003 Pilot? if so, can you roughly tell me how to locate the IAC?

11-09-2011, 03:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 7,178 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Here is a thread for you. Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662

12-11-2011, 12:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
playstrings Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ottawa Posts: 47 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the follow up, it appears there may have been a vacuum leak that you tidied up. Taking the time to properly clean the throttle body is just good maintenance. Just spraying cleaner in there does little , you need to clean it up using a brush and rag so the butterfly will seat cleanly. FWIW ... __________________ 2005 Honda Pilot EXL 2003 GMC Envoy XL 2002 Toyota Highlander 1993 Mercedes 600SL I am lost when there is no grease under my finger nails.

11-09-2011, 09:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
oasis58 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Metairie, La. Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I got in there & sprayed carb cleaner throughout the throttle valve body with engine running & did nothing to alter the erratic idle. I then proceeded to check all connections to several components attached to the throttle valve body. I systematically disconnected each to check for corrosion but found none. Somehow in doing so, my problem has disappeared! Not sure if this will permanently correct the problem but for now I am happy that with a little time, effort & $0 dollars it has gone away. Thanks for the advice!

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