i need car help.

[I.rar]

my car has been shutting off when i start it in the morning. i would turn it on and it would idle low (around 3-400 rpm) and turn off after a minute. if not , it would when i put it in gear. it is fine after the engine warms and it doesnt do it all the time. after driving for a while , i can turn it off and on without a problem. it seems its only in the morning. no check engine or service engine soon lights are on and the car runs fine otherwise.

the car is a 2001 honda accord ex 4-door with an auto transmission.

any ideas what it could be?

[Branuss04]

Battery

A few years back I had a similar problem with my 2000 civic.  It's an automatic and it would die when I came to a stop as well as idling in the parking lot.  Replaced the battery and everything is ok now.

[b.Lee]

I would go Battery, alternator, idle control valve.

[D4u2s0t]

the battery is used for ignition, once the car is started the alternator takes over, so it's most likely not the battery. If the alternator is shot, the car will not start after a while, because it won't re-charge the battery.

Have you checked your air filter? One possibility is a clogged air filter, and with the damp morning conditions (dew) it's having a hard time breathing until it warms up.

Is the car stock?  do you do your regular maintenance?  use the correct octane gas?

[Glenn]

Boy, that could be anything really.  Just add confusion, it could be an emission device that's vacuum controlled.  It's possible that it's a valve that's supposed be closed during warmup, but open once operating temp is reached.  If the valve is stuck open (e.g. vacuum leak), it can cause rough idling or stalling until the engine warms up.

I had that happen once too many on one of my older cars until I ripped out all the vacuum controlled devices I could find, and replaced them either electronic or mechanical devices.  Problem solved.

[I.rar]

battery is new.

car is all stock except for stereo system.

regular gas is pumped.

i talked to a friend of mine and he thought it may be my IAC valve or MAF sensor. one of my older blazers had the same problem but the sensors were cheap. so i went along and did all of them untill it was fixed.

[D4u2s0t]

Iac could be the culprit, if it's the maf, i'm not sure why it would only do it when the engine is cold...  Checking the iac is easy enough, I would do that first.

[I.rar]

Iac could be the culprit, if it's the maf, i'm not sure why it would only do it when the engine is cold... Checking the iac is easy enough, I would do that first.

i found the MAP sensor in the engine compartment , but where would the IAC be? somewhere near the MAP right?

what am i checking for on the IAC?

what about the PCV valve?

[D4u2s0t]

IAC is near the throttle body, either on top, or next to. I'm not very familiar with the exact location on hondas, but they're pretty much all the same place. the Map is on the intake manifold, and the throttle body connects to the intake manifold, so yes, it should be by the map somewhere.

Here's some info about checking the iac, alng with a picture for reference.  they all look similar, but not the same...  also realize that not the whole part is exposed when it's installed, you're looking for the black part.

http://www.2carpros.com/how_does_it_work/how_an_idle_air_control_iac_works.htm

[I.rar]

IAC is near the throttle body, either on top, or next to. I'm not very familiar with the exact location on hondas, but they're pretty much all the same place. the Map is on the intake manifold, and the throttle body connects to the intake manifold, so yes, it should be by the map somewhere.

Here's some info about checking the iac, alng with a picture for reference. they all look similar, but not the same... also realize that not the whole part is exposed when it's installed, you're looking for the black part.

http://www.2carpros.com/how_does_it_work/how_an_idle_air_control_iac_works.htm

excellent! thanks a ton!

[D4u2s0t]

no prob