Honda Idle Relearn Procedure

In this video, I show how to do an idle relearn (learn) on an older Honda. It is very easy and should be done anytime work is done on a Honda such as disconnecting the battery, unplugging the ECM (Engine Control Module), working on the intake or throttle body etc.

The ECM learns certain characteristics that help it idle and anytime the battery, ECM or throttle body are worked on, the ECM needs to relearn these operating characteristics or the vehicle may not idle properly (especially important are throttle plate angles). Many modern vehicles need some kind of idle learn procedure and a lot require a factory capable scan tool to do it.

The procedure I show covers many Honda models but there are some newer models that need to have the ECM reset with a factory capable scan tool before letting it idle for 5 minutes.

Other newer models also require the SCS (Service Check Signal) to be jumped using a factory capable scan tool after idling for 5 minutes. Newer 9 speed automatic transmission vehicles are particularly vulnerable to a high idle if the SCS line is not jumped using a scan tool. I do not cover either of these procedures in this video. I will try to cover them in a future video.

The exact vehicle in this video is a 1999 Honda Accord EX V6 sedan with automatic transmission.

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[StinsonAndSon]

Had P0507 high idle after cleaning the throttle body, slipped my mind and moved the throttle plate (used to cable driven TBs, not electronic) tried a few tricks including the 3000 RPM for 5 minutes, the idle with cooling fans, nothing worked. Disconnected both battery terminals, left it overnight as a last resort and that seemed to reset it for me. Good cold start idle

[Shiekh]

TOOK OFF MY BATTERY THEN IDLE STARTED GOING UP TO 2500 UP AND DOWN AND EVEN REVS WHEN I DROVE DID THE RELEARN PROCESS DID THE 3000 RPM REV UNTIL FANS CAME ON AND LET IT IDLE FOR MORE THAN 5 MINS AND SO FAR SO GOOD IM UNDER A 1000 RPMS RIGHT NOW I WILL KEEP YALL UPDATED

[megpie]

Thank you my son in law is going to take the car to the shop around the corner, He's pretty good with us thanks for all your help have a great rest of your day, I wish you you good health and stay safe. Best videos ever need to start sharing them
Thanks again.

[rogerserafin]

Thank you so much for this information. I cleaned out the throttle plate area on the throttle body when I changed out a bad fuel injector in cylinder 6. The car is running fine, but the idle seems to be running a tad on the high side when at idle (800-900 rpms). I'll do this procedure and get back after to see if it brought the idle down just a little

[djmariomar]

thanks for the video - I moved the throttle plate to open by sticking in a rubber hose in the passage to conduct a home made smoke test (was looking for vacuum).. found the leak and fixed it but little did I know that it messed up my throttle.. going to try this tomorrow morning! Hopefully it works the same way on a 04 civic!

[johnaclark]

So, if you plug in your scan tool you'll see there is a data pid on the enhanced data side for Idle Relearn. The two statuses are "Learning" and "Complete.". What I've found with Hondas (specifically my 2008 Odyssey) the data PID will not go to "Learning" without doing either a PCM Reset or a TP Position Data reset via the scan tool. Additionally, I've watched the data pid sit at "Learning" for about 10-15 minutes before it changes to "Complete." Just letting it idle without doing anything prior doesn't actually relearn the idle. I found this out after cleaning the throttle body for the first time at 160K and the idle was high. I tried the method you describe, which is found all over the Internet, and it didn't work. Only doing the TP Position Data reset with the scan tool allowed it to relearn the idle. Some have said disconnecting and shorting the battery cables will do it but I found that not to be the case, as well.

[TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Good advice for sure if you want avoid problems!

[gursewaksandhu]

If car is already fluctuating RPM then what we should do. As when i start mine 06 civic first it around 1k rpm then goes up to 1.5k and then slowly come down. When i put in drive it start up like launch control 😂. What i have to do sir. Will appreciate ur reply. Thank you sir

[FoodBus]

I did this wrong and for not enough time and it worked lol. i immediately turned on the headlights with my car and enabled the radio and drive away after like 5 minutes and it still figured out there’s slack in a throttle cable and the other one broke off and it drives a bit better until i actually fix things. im just lazy.

[billyyoder]

Thank you Dave. Good job. I appreciate your videos. Have a good weekend.

[GatorRomeo]

Is there anyone who has had an issue with the idling on a newer Honda after the battery was disconnected and use a VCM Musler to disable the ECO variable cylinder management that is in the 3.5 L V6? I think the VCM Musler might be confusing the idle relearn process. Idling for a few minutes, with the air conditioner turned off, seems to have a similar effect As the engine and cooling system seem to be designed to run at a slightly higher temperature, when not using the air conditioner.

[ziwonrb]

I'm going to make a full flush of transmission fluid on my 2008 CR-V. Found info on forums that transmission relearn is required, because fresh fluid is much lighter and therefore clutch will experience much bigger pressure than needed because transmission has previously adopted to dirty fluid and it can lead for transmission breakdown. So does this procedure relearn transmission also, and if so, does it work for CR-V 2008? I've seen some other ways of relearning it, like shifting gears back and forth, accelerating/decelerating, pressing and holding gas pedal on the 2 key position etc., so I'm not sure which one is right for my vehicle. Thanks in advance

[GatorRomeo]

Just replaced the alternator and had battery disconnected for a lengthy time. I have a muzzler resistor installed for the temperature sensor to disable the VCM mode, and was wondering if this needs to be temporarily uninstalled so that the temperature sensor one will read the correct temperature to factory specifications

[cthecoalman]

Will that work on the older Honda's

[mbs]

I wish you had made a video showing how to clean the EGR passages on this Honda V6...

[GG-unwk]

Thank you for the video. Do you know if this process applies for a 2012 accord 3.5l V6 coupe? Thx

[Gurucwd]

Did you ever read the PID for the Idle Air during your idle learn with the scan tool?

[SetAside]

I cleaned my throttle body by removing it from my 2011 2.4 Accord without removing the battery cables. I performed this procedure but the idle stayed at 1100 rpms and hops to 1500 if I turn the wheel.
If this continues, do I need to unplug the negative battery terminal and try again?

[saucysuishi]

Will this work on 2011 accord sedan 2.4?.. replaced the battery at interstate and drove home right away. Not I notice that it fluctuates while at a light