1988 Honda Accord won't idle when warmed up

I've got an '88 Accord (carb and five speed) that will not idle when
warmed up.
It started this about six weeks ago when I was driving to work. I
usually baby this car around but, this particular morning I ran the
car up to about 3000-3500 rpm in 1st and 2nd gear and floor boarded it
a couple of times in the other gears. When I got down the road aways
(car had warmed up by this time) and was getting set up to make a
turn, I pushed in the clutch to pull it into second and the car died.
Restarted when I let out on the clutch. It's been doing this ever
since. It will not idle when warmed up. Idles fine when cold. If I
keep my foot on the gas pedal and hold the rpm's at about 1000 to 1200
it's fine but let it off and it dies. What could have happened that
morning. I live in central Florida and the temp was in the high 40's
that morning. HELP PLEASE

 

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How full is you radiator and reservoir? The system depends on hot
coolant to open / close some valves that will change your idle.

'Curly'

 

coolant levels are right were they are supposed to be.

 

wrote in :

Check for dirt in the idle/low speed jets.

 

Is there any possibility of clogged fuel filters? Wouldn't that show
up in higher rpm ranges also?

 

wrote in

This has zero (0) to do with the filter.

 

Check out this thread in google groups:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.autos.makers.honda/browse_thread/thread/364cee73a317470b/98c53ceab15fd7d2?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=cut+off+valve+dan#

As you will see, I had a similar problem 5 years ago. From your
symptoms, it seems plausible that this could be your problem also.
It is notable that you live in a salty climate, as this car suffered
salted roads for its first 9 years, making similar oxidation possible.
Please pass this info on to your mechanic so he/she can check it out.
This car ran like a top until this problem happened, and after I fixed
it, just like yours.

dan

 

Damn feedback carbs...

 

If that's the worst problem that happened in 15 years, then it's great!
Just trying to get the word out that this could be a problem. I would
actually still love to own that car, with its 32 mpg combined mileage.

dan

 

It makes perfect sense that it would be the primary fuel mixture cut-off
solenoid. Never thought of that, though I now recall reading the thread you
referenced at the time it was posted.

Remember when you had a vacuum throttle dashpot to keep emissions down when
you clapped the throttle shut? Kept the engine revving and was annoying as
hell. I had to disconnect the one on my '75 Corolla because it drove me
nuts. I guess the electronic cut-off solenoid was an improvement of
sorts...

 

Could a problem with timing or the distributor/ spark plug wires cause
this kind of problem? How about a problem with the alternator? I've
also noticed that my tach when I'm at an idle (with my foot on the
pedal) does seem to bounce up and down about 200 to 300 rpms
especially with the brake on. The jumpy tach actually started three
or four weeks before the idle problem showed up.

 

wrote in

It's possible it's the ignition. How old are the plug wires? Does this get
worse on wet days?

 

I'm not sure on the plug wires, I got the car on Thanksgiving and to
the best of my knowledge it acts the same wet or dry.
Also when I said the tach jumps, I don't feel or hear any difference
in the engine.

 

Have you or your mechanic checked the primary fuel cut-off solenoid yet?

You just have to remove the air filter box and it's right behind the
carburetor and is held in with only one bolt. Scratch up the mating
surfaces with sandpaper and reassemble. It's not hard to do.

From what you said originally, that is exactly what I experienced.

dan