1990 Accord - Tranny, speedo, battery problems

[winsett]

Hi all.

First off, here's the car:

1990 Honda Accord Ex
2.2L Auto
4 door

I've searched the threads to find a possible solution to my problem, and although there are a few that sound like they're CLOSE to being the same as mine, I have additional symptoms that make it difficult for me to make my decision as to where to focus my energy and money.

Here are the symptoms/problems I am having:

*when at low rpm, (idling), tach shows fluctuation to rpm's lower than 1000. Additionally, while this is happening, "S" light flashes consistantly, dash lights dim, stereo shuts off (and even reset at one point) and power generally appears to be insufficient to run any electronic components. Car will eventually die and require a jump start to get going.

*when placing shifter in "R", gears do not engage. D4, D3, and 2 work fine..until....

*driving at normal speed (50-80km/hr), speedo acts erratic jumping from approximate real-speed to off the gauge at 220 km/hr and all over in between.

*transmission seems to engage/disengage to different gears while maintaining a single speed.

*Car will just 'die' and when trying to restart in "N" or "P", it appears to have a dead battery. Battery must be dead because even power windows and locks do not have enough juice to work.

*Also, after having to push my car in neutral for a block to get it home after it died, there is an inconsistent "clicking" sound coming from the trans.

I have reviewed many threads regarding the flashing "S" light because originally it was only that and the dead battery issue plaguing me but now, it appears my transmission is becoming part of the problem.

I understand that the TCU/TCM (transmission control unit/module) or the VSS (vehicle Speed Sensor) may be the culprit if only the speedo and the S light were acting up, but I cannot figure out the power loss issue and it's connection.

Is it possible that the battery is so crap it is causing the other issues? Doesn't seem to make sense since jump starting it gets it back up and running for a little while.

I posted this as a new thread not only because I have additional problems to that of those with only the S light flashing and speedo acting up, but because in a few of the similar threads, an AF moderator said not to 'revive' old threads (years) and instead post another.

Any help would be great as I depend on this usually-strong runner to get to and from university.

Thanks so much,

Winsett

[jeffcoslacker]

It sounds like you have a shorted battery, low charging voltage or a failing engine or chassis ground to me.

I'd first make sure the battery cable clamps are tight and clean. Then if the battery has caps, pukk them off and check water level in them. If it's dry, get a new one. It's cooked by now. If it's full, and you detect a strong sulfur odor or notice faint smoke from one or more cells, it's shot.

Even if it appears ok, I'd still have it load tested (most parts stores will do this free)...and at the same time they should be able to test charging voltage while running.

Check the opposite end of the neg battery cable to be sure it's tight and the ground surface is clean. There's probably a bunch of ground wires on one of the thermostat housing studs...make sure they look clean and undamaged.

If you are comfortable that the battery and cables are good, sometimes I'll try connecting jumper cables to the neg battery post, and the other ends to the engine and body, thus providing a secondary ground path. sometimes the demons disappear when you do this...then you just gotta figure out where the bad ground is (broken chassis ground strap, etc)

Also try moving the battery cables and primary wiring around while it runs...this will sometimes show you where a short or bad connection is...it may stumble or stall while doing this.

I've seen a lot of vehicles with bizarre multiple electrical symptoms like this that were because of a simple cracked battery cable clamp or a battery that had and internal short (happens if part of the grid corrodes so badly it breaks free and contacts the adjacent one...)

[winsett]

Thanks Jeffcoslacker!!

Ya, I can't believe I didn't check the ground earlier. Just seemed to strange with all the tranny issues to be a ground issue.

The neg ground from the battery to the engine was frayed and sheared right off!
Gotta find where I can get a good replacement and how the hell to get my big hands in that small space to re-attach the new one!

Thanks again!