Problems with '89 Honda Accord

[Schola]

We have a small problem with my girlfriends '89 Honda Accord. Sometimes like 3 out of every 4 starts the enegine will rev fairly high. But only in Park or nuetral. Talking like reving at 2500 rpms or slightly below. This seems high and when shifting to drive or reverse it will make a chug motion. like its having a hard time shifting.

Any suggestions. I have not found anything on the web.

Thanks
schola

 

[blahblah99]

Is it fuel injection? or carburated?

The car is making that chug motion because the auto tranny and torque converter is shifting at a high rpm from neutral into gear.

My guess is the car has a vacuum leak somewhere, or air is somehow getting into the engine unmetered.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

My dad's 88 (carburetor based) does that everytime you start the engine. Drives fine so we don't really care, plus it's going to die on us sooner or later

 

[Rkonster]

New car time.

 

[Schola]

I don't know if its fuel injected or not. She just drove away. It drives fine but I can look at the model letters and those should tell me right.
I think is a Honda Accord DX. No the LXi or EX.

schola

 

[Schola]

Originally posted by: Rkonster
New car time.

We wish but we have to get along with what both of us have at the moment.
Here 89 Accord and my 99 Cavalier.

schola

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Schola
I don't know if its fuel injected or not. She just drove away. It drives fine but I can look at the model letters and those should tell me right.
I think is a Honda Accord DX. No the LXi or EX.

schola

There was no EX before 1990 in the Accord. The 1989 Accord was available as DX, LX, LX-i and SE-i. Only the LX-i and the SE-i had Honda's PGM-FI. The DX and LX (distinguised, among other ways, by their lack of a factory moonroof) used a single two barrel carburetor. My guess it that either the automatic choke is sticking sometimes (causing a high idle), or there is a vacuum leak somewhere.

ZV

 

[Schola]

Its a DX Model with almost no options.
Automatic transmission/ manual everything. windows/locks with a cd player instead of the factory radio.

So basically I should take it to a dealer if i can find one around here. or will anywhere be alright.
Also what would we be looking at to fix it. Its a great car and runs good, good gas miliage except for this.

schola

 

[thomsbrain]

have you tried blipping the throttle when it revving like that? just a quick jab and release. sometimes that can get them to settle down before you shift into gear... I wouldn't take it to the dealer, especially since you're low on funds. you're better off finding an independant Honda specialist. I suggest the find-a-mechanic site for NPR's Car Talk radio show. I got a good recommendation from there. Find a mechanic.. Good luck.

 

[Schola]

Ya I have tried tapping the gas peddle and it doesn't do anythign. However to start the car sometimes you have to tap the gas a couple of times while turning the key to get it started.

schola

PS. Ya funds are low at the moment. I just had a interview with a good company here in michigan so hopefully that will go good.

 

[enis083]

Try taking the car to Honda for an oil change and ask them to look but not fix the problem. They should tell you what the problem is and how much it will cost to fix it. They did that for me. I just waited and had a friend do the work for me.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Schola
Ya I have tried tapping the gas peddle and it doesn't do anythign. However to start the car sometimes you have to tap the gas a couple of times while turning the key to get it started.

schola

PS. Ya funds are low at the moment. I just had a interview with a good company here in michigan so hopefully that will go good.

Pumping the gas while starting is a normal condition for carbureted cars. Cold start procedure according to my manual (1988 Accord) for the carb-ed cars is to pump the pedal twice before turning the key, then hold the pedal at 1/3 to 1/2 while cranking, then slowly release once the engine fires.

ZV

 

[Schola]

Ok next time we need an oil change I will have them look at it.
If you have any more suggestions, please keep them coming.

Thanks
schola

 

[BeeVo]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
have you tried blipping the throttle when it revving like that? just a quick jab and release. sometimes that can get them to settle down before you shift into gear... I wouldn't take it to the dealer, especially since you're low on funds. you're better off finding an independant Honda specialist. I suggest the find-a-mechanic site for NPR's Car Talk radio show. I got a good recommendation from there. Find a mechanic.. Good luck.

Thanks a ton for the site. I have been looking for a honest Honda repair shop in Utah and also to get estimates on adding a/c to my CX.