Need some advice

[redstar84101]

I am new here. Was recommended by eckoman_pdx.

I am having some car problems and was wondering if anyone had an idea or an answer as to what it could be.

I own a '94 Honda Accord EX Sedan. I was driving home the other night and noticed my D4 indicator was flashing. I had no idea what that meant so I checked my drivers manual and it said that could be an indication of problems with the transmission.

Within the next couples days my car has become a little sluggish. It doesn't start up right away anymore. I have to turn the key 2 to 3 times before my engine starts. Last night when i reached home from work my car almost died on its own before I could park.

If anyone knows what those symptoms mean, your input would be greatly appreciated.

[whtteg]

You need to read the codes from the ecu. Does eckoman_pdx live near you? If so I think he knows how to pull ecu codes. Let me know if you need more help,if he is not close to you.

BTW great job eckoman_pdx

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by whtteg

You need to read the codes from the ecu. Does eckoman_pdx live near you? If so I think he knows how to pull ecu codes. Let me know if you need more help,if he is not close to you.

BTW great job eckoman_pdx

LOL, thanks Whtteg. Yea, he lives near me, but I don't have any way to read the code at the current moment. I did it a long ass time ago to my D15B7 when I had it before I swapped, but not in a really long time. My cousin was up here and we just used all his tools etc. I actually didn't think about pulling a code. I had to get up here to class and told him to ask around on here, someone would be able to help him in the mean time. He told me he is going to "Ammco" tomarrow to get it checked though. I told him not to go, to hold off on it, to check into it though other means first. Ask around, find help. He has made the appointment though. I know that tranny places like Ammco tend to find more stuff wrong than there really is a good deal of the time, plus I wouldn't pay that fee to have someone pull a code from the ecu. Then they run the bill up. That'd be my last resort. I'll see what I can do in the meantime with pulling a code. That's the first step, and should at least tell part of the problem. On a side thought...redstar84101, when's the last time you had your a drain and fill or flushed the AT. I know you should get a drain and fill every 30,000 miles, amd a flush at 60, I believe. I am in class at college right now (shh...don't tell the prop, lol), so my numbers could be off. Anyways, Whtteg, what I am thinking is the car not cranking over and the tranny are 2 entirly different problems, though it's hard to tell what's in all could be wrong until we know what error code it's throwing. Anyways, I better get back to work here...lol.

[redstar84101]

Thank you. Unfortunately thats something I'll have to have done professionally anyway. Don't know anyone with that kind of equipment, and dont have that equipment myself. And who knows how honest any service shop is.

Originally Posted by whtteg

You need to read the codes from the ecu. Does eckoman_pdx live near you? If so I think he knows how to pull ecu codes. Let me know if you need more help,if he is not close to you.

BTW great job eckoman_pdx

[whtteg]

You should be able to pull the codes the same way you do on any other honda. Check this link out ( I klnow it is for a integra but it should apply to your car also) http://www.team-integra.net/sections...p?ArticleID=34
Now the codes may be different but all you have to do is call the local honda dealership and ask them what the code means and then you can post back and I can give much better advice. But for now I would never take my car to ammoco or any other place like that. If you are wanting to keep this car fpr a while stay with honda parts and honda cetifed service, or do it yourself.

[eckoman_pdx]

He went ahead and took the car there (I agree with you, I would NEVER DO THAT) Suprisingly, he said they claimed no codes where thrown. He said the car deid on the way home, it dies at low speeds (low rpms it seems) and has trouble starting. I got him to desicribe the sound it made right before it died, and when it starts. It sounded like something in the electrical system. His battery was new, so I suggested alternator. A bad alternator, as you know, can case both of the problems above due to no juice. I told him to call me in the morning before he went in somewhere, but he took it to battery-exchange, and they said no alternator problem, battery, electrical seem good. I agree, as no DIY is being attemped, take it to a cert. honda tech. It just seems strange that nothing would show with either of those. I don't know. Something is obviously casing the engine to not fire and start, as well as die at a low ideal. I can think of a several things, but it's kind of a stab in the dark in a sense, unless you are the one checking it all out. I agree with you, If you are wanting to keep this car for a while stay with honda parts and honda cetifed service, or do it yourself. Still, I have had "battery places" test my battery and alternator when I went in to buy a battery (not get it tested) because I knew it was deader than a doornail. The alternator was a bit low in current, but not awful. It wasn't so bad I needed it replaced. They told me "alternator is awful, battery is fine. Replace the alternator." I was like WTF, give me the damn battery. I finally just said f-it, went somewhere else, bought a battery and put it in. I knew the alternator was going, but it was no where not so bad it was the issue. I knew the biggest part was the battery. Sure enough...a new battery basically solved the problems. I knew I needed a new alternator soon, but I was going to swap in the LS soon, so it wasn't worth the waste it money do replace the alternator. It was going, not gone. As long as I didn't blast the stereo, etc...I wasn't drawing enough current out to matter. That battery was toast though, and I darn well knew it. I never aked them to test it, and I don't know what the heck they were testing, but that battery was gone. I don't know how they figured that the battery was "fine." Anyways, I don't know how I got onto that. Probably because everyone keeps telling him the car is "fine."

[redstar84101]

ok...I was an idiot and wasted some money that I shouldnt have. I finally found a guy who is a honda certified mechanic who could tell me what was wrong. THe guy worked at a honda dealership for 20 years and now runs his own shop. He also happens to be the father of one of my co-workers. Its the connections that you dont even know you have. He diagnosed the problem right away. Turns out all it was, was a worn out ignition switch. As for the D4 indicator going off? Part of the same problem? Or a separate animal altogether? I dunno. No codes were being thrown each time the ECU was checked. The cars working now at least. Next task: Find the guy that keyed my car on three sides and beat the living hell out of him.
Thanx for the advice guys. I appreciate it.