a gift -- 89 accord-- lots of problems

my brother gave me his 89 honda accord LXi, white with red interior. nice car. sunroof and all. 170k except that it has its issues....


first off, i get a sparatic flickering battery light, which through a little testing, found out it is jumping up to around 17-18 volts, depending on the engine RPMs. it is off and on. i'm thinking its the voltage regulator??? Is the regulator inside the alternator?

also, the engine stalls, restarts, and eventually quits right around 1/3 of a tank left. i don't understand this one. the fuel looks clean. it just doesn't run after i use about 9 gallons. its like the gas tank goes empty. my brother said its been doing this as long as he has had it (for about 2 years) any ideas?????

and the automatic transmission sucks. while on the highway in 4th gear the engine will fluctuate up and down about 100-200 rpms, depending on the load of the engine. (going up a hill or accelerating it will drop down 100-200 rpms, and then pop back up after the load is removed) any ideas? it only happens in 4th gear. the fluid _looks_ ok. should i try changing the fluid or get a used tranny?

any help would be greatly appreciated. i've worked on cars alot before- mostly older american cars. (gotta love a 4-barrel carb and dual exhaust) :)
i'm college student and i like this honda because it gets the good mileage- 30 MPG. ALOT better than any 4-barrel v-8. :)

thanks alot
david

first off, i get a sparatic flickering battery light, which through a little testing, found out it is jumping up to around 17-18 volts, depending on the engine RPMs. it is off and on. i'm thinking its the voltage regulator??? Is the regulator inside the alternator?

All correct

also, the engine stalls, restarts, and eventually quits right around 1/3 of a tank left. i don't understand this one. the fuel looks clean. it just doesn't run after i use about 9 gallons.

Is it carb. or injector? Try change fuel filter first (or both if carb). Then use injector cleaner (I like Penzoil) or carb cleaner correspondently. Change Air filter same time.


and the automatic transmission sucks. while on the highway in 4th gear the engine will fluctuate up and down about 100-200 rpms, depending on the load of the engine. (going up a hill or accelerating it will drop down 100-200 rpms, and then pop back up after the load is removed) any ideas? it only happens in 4th gear. the fluid _looks_ ok. should i try changing the fluid or get a used tranny?

About what speed you are talking about? If between 70-80 km/h (sorry use calculator for miles) may be just gears hunting- mostly normal. Or trotle link for tranny need ajustment. Try change fluid to original honda ATF or dextron II (not III !) it helps too.

any help would be greatly appreciated. i've worked on cars alot before- mostly older american cars. (gotta love a 4-barrel carb and dual exhaust)
thanks alot
david[/QUOTE]

That nice. I like too but don't have space or garage. Good luck!

PS. Check every damn vacum hose! Thats important for proper operation!
:2cents: :smokin:

its fuel injected...i've changed the fuel filter already... so i'll try some fuel injector cleaner, but its seem doubtful that would fix the problem because it consistently stops running right at 1/3 of a tank- basically like its out of gas. and it only uses 9 gallons so i know its not out of gas. maybe its the fuel pump or something?

and the 4th gear slipping is only on the highway, and i don't think its gear hunting because if it dropped to third gear the RPMs would go way up. in actuality it only fluctuates maybe 100-200 rpms. my guess is that the 4th gear clutch is slipping or something?? i will try changing the fluid. also is there a drain plug on the converter to drain out the extra fluid still in the converter?


thanks
david

[QUOTE=dhaan]its fuel injected...i've changed the fuel filter already... so i'll try some fuel injector cleaner, but its seem doubtful that would fix the problem because it consistently stops running right at 1/3 of a tank- basically like its out of gas. and it only uses 9 gallons so i know its not out of gas. maybe its the fuel pump or something?

Yes, may be, but it can't be too long time. Try drain fuel tank 100%. looks like a lot of water in there. I seen car with the same problem. If you wish be sure, try fill some gas (not much),start the engine and pick up and stop several times, shake fluids in tank and engine might stop... Funny? But it possible.

and the 4th gear slipping is only on the highway, and i don't think its gear hunting because if it dropped to third gear the RPMs would go way up. in actuality it only fluctuates maybe 100-200 rpms. my guess is that the 4th gear clutch is slipping or something?? i will try changing the fluid. also is there a drain plug on the converter to drain out the extra fluid still in the converter?

I think everything OK. Try to drive somewhere similar honda and compare.

:thumbsup: