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-   -   1990 honda accord system wide failure (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=55931)

  • Jan 19, 2007, 07:24 PM
    Jeebster
    1990 honda accord system wide failure
    My honda accord has been taken care of for its whole life but recently we had to take it out of the garage so we could put another vehicle in it and then everything went to hell...

    It started small, a squeaking sound coming from the steering column (Spelling?) whenever I turned the top of the steering wheel wheel between the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock. The sound came and went, but is loud enough to be a nuisance to me.

    Then it got really cold all of a sudden and snowed (Weird for New Mexico... ) and my car refused to start in the morning. I tried following the manual's instructions by holding down the pedal halfway, then I tried changing the fuel filter, and then I tried changing the spark plugs, and still nothing. Then I talked to my neighbor, who is a mechanic and he recommended I check out the fuel pump with a fuel pressure gauge, check the pgm-fi relay, and try turning the key on and off several times. This seems to help for a while, but then it gets colder and stops working again.

    So now I changed my transmission fluid because it was shifting weird, added almost a whole bottle of steering fluid because power steering is dying and I now found has a leak.

    And just two days ago, my speedometer stopped working. It goes to 25 mph and then just wiggles and occasionally jumps up to 50mph. Luckily I only have to drive 5 miles to school and its low speed. But I don't know where the speed sensor is located on the transaxle, I don't know how to fix it, and I don't feel like messing with taking apart the whole dash assembly to try and replace my speedometer if that's the problem.

    So I was wondering if you think it would be worth the money to try to get it fixed or if I should just buy a new car.

    And also if you have any info on how to fix the problems listed above please post a reply.

    Much Thanks,
    Jeebster
  • Jan 19, 2007, 07:45 PM
    TxGreaseMonkey
    Problems are opportunities for growth. If you're at the end of your rope, you tie a knot and hang on. With that said, I'd recommend you begin by reading sections A and B, in the link below:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...ics-46563.html

    Go through the various tests and I think you will decide your Accord is a "keeper." If you can answer "Yes" to the 3 basic diagnostic questions, and your ECM passes the K-Test, then you should focus on the distributor; i.e. the Ignition Control Module (igniter), rotor, and coil. I'm here to help you hold on. Remember, 90% of "crank but won't start situations" are electrical-related, not fuel. I suspect a major part of your problem is a bad igniter. Because of the age of your Accord, you really need to replace the igniter, coil, and rotor. There's an outside chance that replacing the igniter will fix your speedometer. If it doesn't, you will probably have to replace the Variable Speed Sensor (VSS) unit on your transaxle.

    Start using synthetic engine oil (5W-30 Mobil 1) and synthetic transmission fluid (Mobil 1 Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF) in your Accord. It really helps a lot in cold weather and hot weather. You can't afford not to use these products.

    P.S. The noise from the power steering system is likely a sign the pump is starting to go. It's best to partially change the power steering fluid each year, using only Honda Power Steering Fluid. Try partial changes of fluid and see if the situation improves. Get a battery squeeze bulb ($2.50 at Advance Auto) and suck the fluid down to just above the discharge tube. Don't take it down too far, so as not to get air in the system.

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