Throttle/Transmission/Stalling Issues

[digx]

Hey everybody.

I'm beginning to have a lot of issues with my 1999 Honda Passport.

I bought this car used from an auction wholesaler in January. I noticed when I purchased it that the throttle had a slight click when pressed. It would get a tad bit stuck when not pressed and when given a push it'll get unstuck and work normally for a bit.

The issue kept getting worse... it would get stuck more often and it would cause hard accelerations. I was able to drive that way, but it was very annoying and it lowered my MPG. I saw that it seemed that the valve in the throttle body was getting stuck in its idle position so after some research, I went out and bought some throttle body cleaner and cleaned the inside of the throttle body. After that, it worked like a charm.... for about a week.

Then I started having transmission issues. The transmission would slip very rarely and the transmission would take about 30 seconds, and a bit of revving, for it to pick it back up (yeah I've been on the street with a car just moving itself and slowing down, lot of horns at me :P). Now it happens a lot more often. When I have it on Power Drive it happens a lot less.

A few nights ago, I had a huge problem. When I turned on the car, the engine would accelerate to 2500 RPMs on its own. Switching to drive would cause the engine to hit the transmission hard. On the way home, the car would go 30-35 without me pressing anything. When I dropped off my girlfriend, I turned on Power Drive and the problem got fixed. I drove home normally and the car worked fine the next day.

2 nights ago, I cleaned the throttle body again and now the car will barely go past 500 RPMs on idle. If I stop at a light, sometimes the car will turn off. Sometimes on idle, the car won't move at all. And this is where I'm at now.

Any suggestions?

(thank you SOOO much for reading this far!)

[Pony Boy Midnight]

It sounds to me that you need to have the throttle body taken off and all the passages cleaned. I don't have any experience with Hondas or your particular engine, but I would bet that your Idle Air Controller/Valve is sticking, plus you sound like you have a bad Throttle Position sensor.

I have a 3.8 ltr. V-6 in a Buick Park Ave. 1992....I am in process of taking my throttle body apart. (not much to take apart) Ask any friends if they have a code reader that will work on your car; or better yet, take the car to a Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts store and get them to run a codes check for you. They do this for free. Find out what codes have been stored in your computer, and you will know what sensors are getting flakey. A bad TPS sensor or IAC valve will make your transmission act funny.

I had just about the same exact symptoms with my Buick. It showed a bad TPS. After some research, and alot of reading, I have removed my Throttle body for a thorough cleaning. You will be surprised at all of the soot and the carbon deposits that will be inside there. My IAC valve, (Idle Air Controller) was just about frozen and completely packed with carbon; even though it did not show up as being bad. since it is more than likely gonna cause me grief soon, I will replace it along with my TPS. I've heard that you need to get your idle speed set by a mechanic at a shop....I don't know.

After I get my engine back together, I'm expecting a big difference, (Zoom Zoom!!) and I should get much better response and better mileage as well. PonyBoy

[Ramblin Fever]

Sounds like two different issues; one issue sounds like a bad intake manifold gasket - VERY VERY common on your year of engine.

Other issue kind of sounds like the transmission is low on ATF, which I would have checked ASAP, these babies will burn very quickly if their allowed to get low.

What's your maintenance history on the tranny?

[amigo-2k]

the tranny issue is probably due to low and or dirty tranny fluid.

[digx]

Unfortunately, I have no idea about the maintenance history before January of this year. The most I've done is had an oil change with the extras (the full package at JiffyLube :P). There's about 400 miles left til 100k. Would taking the car to a Honda dealership be my best option right now? Is it tough to determine if the IMG is broken or not? I'm going to have the ATF changed ASAP.

Thanks a LOT for your help guys.

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by digx

...There's about 400 miles left til 100k. Would taking the car to a Honda dealership be my best option right now? ...

do you have any warranty left until then?

//bc

[digx]

Originally Posted by trooperbc

do you have any warranty left until then?

//bc

Thing is that I'm not the original owner. I don't think I can get in on any warranty.

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by digx

...I don't think I can get in on any warranty.

maybe not. but it sure would be the first step to check with the dealer and/or honda customer service first before proceeding.


//bc

[surferfletch]

Could some of the racing be the gummed up dust boot at the end of the throttle cable?

[digx]

Originally Posted by surferfletch

Could some of the racing be the gummed up dust boot at the end of the throttle cable?

I doubt the problem is with the throttle cable. I think it's gunk built up inside where the valve in the throttle body is connected to, somwhere in there. I've never taken apart the throttle body so I don't know if I should explore.

Today my car didn't turn on at first but after waiting a while, I tried again and it worked. The car worked fine until a while ago where I was turning on the car to head home and it turned on fine but RPM was idling at 600-700. Luckily the car didn't turn off on me on the way home.

Also, would the IMG cause the car to go to 2500RPMs on idle? (trying to find an explanation for the high RPM that time I explained in my first post)

Thank you VERY much guys!

[surferfletch]

Not to be insistent, but I had this photo...

[digx]

surferfletch, it's ok, I'm sure you know more than I do. Do you think that's the cause of my stickiness? and what would be the best way to fix it, in your best opinion?

Thanks!

[trooperbc]

they actually had a *recall* for that stupid little boot. mine got me before the notification and when i figured out what all that racing was all about (and it was scary too), i just removed what was left of the boot, cleaned things up and smacked a glob of whitegrease in the hole where the cable goes. it's been fine.

//bc

[surferfletch]

What trooper said. Just thought it'd give you an idea where to look real quick. Good luck!