so heres the specs:
97 civic 2 dr, 5 spd, d16y8 stock. headman 4-2-1 header, and aem cold air intake.
sometimes the car dosent want to idle, touch the gas pedal and bring the revs up to more than 750 and it runs like normal, but sometimes when sitting at lights and stuff the revs fall off to nothing on the stock tach, and it has even died a time or 2, sometimes it idles fine, but when it dies in stop and go traffic its not safe, starts right back up but still... it seems to only happen when its warmed up cause when its cold it idles faster just like normal. but once its warmed up, and the idle falls off to around 750 or so like normal, sometimes is when it dosent wanna idle.

just replaced spark plugs, rotor, dist cap, and it didnt help the ideling problem.

thoughts? ideas? the check engine light on the dash isnt on, so i dont think its throwing codes.

 

Does the CEL work?

Try cleaning the IACV on the throttle body (see link in my signature).

You might also consider replacing the PCV valve, if this has not been done recently.

 

I'm sure its just cause its still early on a sunday and my coffee hasnt kicked in yet, but whats a CEL?

I'll look into cleaning the IACV, that i understand, (and i read your write up)

the PCV hasnt been changed since i've owned the car, so that's probably a good one to do now as well...

Thanks for the info, its a place to start, once these are done, i'll let ya'll know how it went.

 

CEL = Check Engine Light (see link in my signature)

When you turn the key to ON(II), the CEL should come ON for 2 seconds and then turn OFF (if no trouble codes are thrown)

 

OH Yea, it comes on when you first turn on the key, just like lots of the other lights do as a bulb check..

 

I have the same year and trim as you and i also have that problem in stop and go traffic...however it seems to happen when i have the music going and a/c blasting, turn them down and idling goes back to mormal. I replaced the altenator and i've not had the problem since. If the IAVC dosen't work you might want to look into getting a new altenator.