[Linda2388]

1991 honda accord automatic transaxle: For a about 6 months My car has been having this problem. When driving down the road it will cut out then rev up then cut out and at the same time the tachometer will bounce up and down between the 2 and 4 then spikes clear the 6 or 7 when it gets really bad. It jumps as though I'm driving a manual when you let off the clutch without giving it enough gas. This has happened when I begin to accelerate, between the speeds of 20 and 40, and also when I drive on the freeway. Twice just with in the past couple months, after driving only a few miles like 4 or 5 miles it stops shifting or accelerating completely but the car is still on. I've had to just coast it off the road. When I let it sit turned off after everything cools completely down it will drive again. I changed out the control modules without any affect.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Have you replaced the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil? This link may help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post265896

If you'd primarily characterize it as a fluctuating idle problem, then this link should help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post842969

Be sure to check for any codes, if the Check Engine Light has come on. It may indicate a problem with the Variable Speed Senson (VSS), which goes to the transmission and provides vital shift information to the TCM. The ECM and TCM on these older Hondas only last so long. Many are starting to die.

My gut is there's a problem with the distributor. It may be a simple ICM issue or it may be a problem with the distributor housing, especially if it's not a genuine Honda product. Temperature related performance issues tend to be related to the ICM, coil, main relay, and distributor housing.

[Linda2388]

I forgot to say that I did try a different distributor and the same symptoms occurred.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Was it a genuine Honda distributor? Over 50% of new aftermarket distributors for Hondas have not worked at AMHD. Most of the remaining have not been reliable.

[Linda2388]

I borrowed it from my neighbor's car which is the same as mine and his car doesn't have any problems.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

See if performing the 5 basic tests turns up anything:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post229012

[Linda2388]

I figured it out! It was a loose grounding wire that went to the thermostat housing! Haha it was right under my nose the whole dang time!! Inches away! Thank you for your help anyway it pointed me in the right direction!

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Nice job! Did you discover the main ECM ground being loose, when you went to perform the K-Test?

[Linda2388]

I preformed the five basic test Thursday, and the CEL light went off in 2 seconds, the k test had 6.06 volts, which was slightly high, the fuse test showed nothing check the fuses all of them were good. I didn't check the spark plugs because it passed emissions test not to long ago. Lets see what else... I checked voltage on the ICM, the primary resistance on the coil was 0.8 ohms, the secondary winding resistance was 14.7 K-ohms all within spec. Still suspected it was a short because of how it was reacting. Checking the wires again reviled the loose ground wire!

Once again thank you for your help because you focused me on the electrical issue, which was what I was thinking it was but had started to doubt myself.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

You did a great job and now you are much more familiar with your car's systems. These are great little cars to maintain.

Here are some recommendations to help keep it on the road for many more years:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post219991