The Puffing 1990 Honda Accord DX

I am having a problem with my 1990 Honda Accord DX. The RPM does not go above 3500. After I take off the battery cable and put it back on the car runs well. THEN when I turn it off and turn it back on the RPM does the same thing. Autozone does not have the machine to test it.

I need some serious help here bc I have to make it to work on Monday!

Thanks for your help in advance.

Are you getting a check engine light? What may be happening is the ECU is going into the default mode because of a problem. The car will run in the default mode but not very well. When you disconnect the battery, you reset the ECU and it runs as it should, but the fault comes back. You need to check the stored codes. The engine check light should come on when you first turn on the key and then quit. You can short the service connector with a paper clip and the stored code will display on the engine check light. The service connector is on the right side under the dash just right of the glove compartment. It is a 2 pin connector that just hangs there. You can pull it down to just about level with the dash panel. Codes are read in long and short blinks. A long is 10 and short is 1-9. So 3 longs is 30 and 4 shorts is 4; so the fault code is 34. After you know the code you can determine what is causing the ECU to go into default mode.

Yeah - chm posted this twice, but the second time he didn't mention the Check Engine light coming on. I guess he hoped someone could diagnose the problem without that key piece of information

Thanks for the idea, but I could not get the service connector to short out for the light to flash. . . .

It isn't AN idea...it is the ONLY idea. A check engine light can come on for a few hundred things...that is the only diagnostic tool you have...so keep trying until you get it to work. Because with so little information, we can't help you without the code.

i took off the wire u told me to but the problem the light is not blinking the red light is usually on it doesn't blink at all after i take off the light stays red all the time thats why im surprised i do really appreciate ur help please if u have any more information let me know about it

Insert the jumper with the key off. Then turn on the key and see what it does.

i did what u told me and i bought a scanner to test but there is nothing they told me to change a lot of stuff the wires +plugs +fuel filter +oxygen +distrebuter +and i still have the SAME PROBLEM I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO DO . . . if u have any idea please let me know i put about 40 hours work on this car ,,,,,,,,,,

OK, you said you disconnected the battery...you wont get an error code until the check engine light comes on again...
When it does...scan it...if it has already, then keep trying to scan it until it works...

You are throwing your money away on stuff you don't need. Because you are taking shots in the dark. Slow down, and figure out what is wrong.

thank to every body's help i found the problem after a while it was from th ecu but the first time i bought a used one and it was bad too thats why i couldn't figure out what was the problem good luck to every body

Glad you got it figured out.