Honda: 88 honda prelude, air control valves, air control valve

Question
im having a problem with the idle after my car has been running for a short while. at startup all is well, but when first taking it out on the road, it doesnt want to go past 3000 or so rpm. after about 5-10 minutes, it figures itself out and can go beyond 3000 but when i stop and let it idle (at a light for example) it has barely enough rpm to keep it running. it has a new battery, recent oil change, over half a tank of gas, and the air filter is clear enough for light to pass thru. I hear talk of electronic and idle air control valves all across the net... if this may be the problem, where in the engine is this part.

Answer
The idle air control valve could be your problem with the idle, it's part of the throttle body.If you remove the large tube between the throttle body and the air cleaner look inside the throttle body and you will see an oval shaped hole.Spray some throttle body cleaner in that hole ,it works better if the engine is warm.Idont think thats the problem with it not going over 3000 rpm though is the engine light on when this happens.