donee12

I’ve tried some of the suggestions recommended here to resolve my problem but still no luck. So I’m back trying to get some more advice from the experts. My 90 Accord, LX, automatic is having problems at the 2200 RPM range – it bucks and shakes like its running out of gas but when you kick into passing gear and rev the RPM’s its ok. When I pull over and let it idle its ok and I can rev the engine and still ok. But when I get back on the road and after a few miles at about 2200 RPM it starts to act up. My problem all started after I replaced the rubber/screen gasket on the top shift solenoid because it was leaking. So far I have replaced both shift solenoids, the distributor cap and fuel filter. I have cleaned out the EGR ports, the throttle body, checked all the hoses, spark plugs and cables. I’m getting 130lbs compression in each cylinder. It still shakes at about 2200 RPM and now on my last test drive the engine check light came on – but when I turn the engine off and restart its ok and then comes back on after a few miles. Is there something else I should be doing? I have owned this car since it was new and hate to junk it. THANKS

P_Adams

See if Deathzone* Autoparts can scan the system for a code. I'm curious as to what codes are being set. It's acting like an EGR issue (starts coming on at 1800 / 2200 rpm) once the ecm goes closed loop. The strange thing is it sounds like the ecm is rebooting every time the car's shut off.
Ask them if they can retrieve any codes from the events log.

P

* AutoZone

donee12

I checked the little glass window under the passenger side carpet and I'm getting 4 long and 3 short blinks....43. Is that a fuel issue and where do I need to go from here?

P_Adams

I found this reference with a Google search

"That is the code for fuel system or O2 sensor. Replace the O2 sensor and reset the error code by pulling the ECU fuse for several seconds. If the error returns, the problem may be in the fuel supply, such as clogged filter"

It may be that the car is failing to go into closed loop??

P

Duane_in_Japan

It should be an O2 sensor, the only other time I have seen this code was on a poor valve adjustment, a vacuum gauge and a 5 gas analyzer showed the problem with a poor valve adjustment, it had a poor idle too.

P_Adams

Furthur research came up with this:
Five other sourses and an aquantaince at Honda all point to the O2 sensor. They also mentioned that an EGR condition could be masked by the O2 sensor failure.
I'm in agreement with Duane and suggest the o2 sensor be shown the door.

P

donee12

I dissconnected the O2 sensor and drove around town. I had no bucking problems except that the gas pedal feels hard now........... I'm going to replace to O2 sensor next.

donee12

I just wanted to follow up and thank you guys for the help and let others who may the same problem that I got it corrected. After installing the new O2 sensor no more bucking at 2200RPM, check light stays off and the code 43 is gone. I noticed a minor skip now and then when on my test drive so I replaced the plugs but that didn't help. Is this something that will correct itself because I reset the codes?

P_Adams

Drive it for several days and see if you can spot any pattern to this skip occuring. There are some things that can cause wierd, strange things happening, but I don't want you running off chasing geese

P

donee12

It's been about a month now and everything was working great until a cold morning yesterday. After starting my Accord the engine check light returned. I drove it a few blocks shut it off and restarted and the light went off. But this moring the same problem. I'm getting an error code of 41 but as noted above I replaced the O2 sensor and many other parts. The only thing I've done in the past week is changed the oil (Castrol's GTX High Mileage 10-40) and topped off the coolant.

Any suggestions? Thanks

hon2984

41 refers to the heater circuit in the O2 sensor. the sensor will not read correct untill it gets to 600 degrees, so there is a heater circuit built into the O2 sensor, to accelerate warm up. Once again you need to replace the sensor. I would suggest buying / downloading a honda service manual. It will tell you how to diagnose anything you need to know. There is a whole trouble tree that your sopposed to follow to make sure the wiring is good and ECU. That could also be caused by a loose connection, incorrect wiring, short.

I would also drop that 10w40 out and put some 5w30 in.

donee12

I went under the front passengers seat to locate the O2 sensor. I pulled back the carpet found a box with a black placstic cover over it but no O2 sensor. I removed the front passenger seat, the black cover and the box, looked under the carpet, traced some wires and still no O2 sensor. My Accord is a 1990 and built in 89. Is it possible the sensor is located in another area? Thanks for your help.

Duane_in_Japan

Follow the O2 sensor from the exhaust pipe, it is possible that the connector is still under the car or near the engine, you can make your tests from the connector, both tests of the sensor itself (heater) and of the circuit wiring to the ECU along with a voltage test from the heater circuit.

onyursix

Check timing and as far as electrical REMAN/NEW distr. have been questionable here in socal I was told that reman distr have been better than new...go figure. It was explained that the internal? coil on NEW/DIST) on this year (only) were weak. After this fix the thing ran great 105/m a day Xs 5-6 days a week> Hollywood to Burbs.