bhmorrill

I have a 1995 Honda Accord EX with ~120K miles on it. About a month ago it started hesitating on me, and the check engine light would come on, first thing in the mornings once I started to drive up a hill just outside my driveway. It wouldn't ever do this in the evening when I was driving home from work. After a couple of weeks it did start to do it morning and night, and it started doing it even when I was not pushing the accelerator. Once it even completely died when I was at a stop light.

So, I changed the fuel filter. That seemed to make the problem significantly better for 2 days, then the problems came back.

Then I changed out the distributor cap and rotor. That completely fixed the problem for 3 days or so, but then the problems came back again just the same.

Then I went to pick up spark plugs and wires at the parts store and when I went to leave my car wouldn't start. It took me several tries (6-10) before it started. It would turn over just fine, but wouldn't catch. I got home, changed out the plugs and wires, and my problems seemed the same.

Now about 50% of the time when I go to start my car it has problems catching and fully starting (never problems turning over) and it takes me several tries to get it running. Even then, once it does first start, when I shift into drive or reverse it frequently dies again, and sometimes it still takes me a few tries to get to where it will start and stay running when in reverse or drive. It still has problems hesitating when I am driving now, but that problem is now minor and infrequent. Now once I get the car going it seems to do pretty well.

I have tried going to parts stores to have them read my error codes for me, but eventually was told that none of them had OBD2 connectors for Honda and that I would have to go to a garage to get them checked. Now I have read that potentially I can check them myself as described here:

http://www.justanswer.com/honda/1rqp...c-no-idea.html

I tried, but was not able to get this to work. Guess I need more details in order to do this on my own.

In talking with two different people they both suggested that maybe the next step would be for me to change out the O2 sensor (there is only one in my '95 Accord). After reading online about symptoms of O2 sensor problems I am leaning towards trying a new O2 sensor to see if that fixes it, but haven't made up my mind yet. It is depressing to buy parts and change them out and not have the problem fixed, but I am sure you all know that feeling.

I would LOVE any help anyone can give me!!! I would like to be able to handle my problems myself, but maybe I am to the point that I will have to throw in the towel. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

Ben

MACH 7

well i read it all and id hold off on the o2 and look into the temp and map sensors check timing and if you even have fuel pressure maybe you do but maybe sometimes you dont
get in there and do a visual evaluation wiggle stuff around and see if theres anything not connected loose or cracked

MAD_MIKE

What was the code that was set? http://techauto.awardspace.com/ecu.html
'96-up are OBDII '95 and earlier are OBDI. You look under the dash behind the glove box door, there should be two light blue connectors(one with three wires the other with two) pull down the two wire connector, using a paperclip or wire jump the connector. Turn the ignition to ON (II) and the check engine light will start to blink.

The O2 sensor would not cause the issue you are having at startup. The ECU only monitors the O2 while in closed loop. When the car is initially started it is in open loop(even if the engine is warm), and when at WOT the ECU is in open loop. A bad O2 may cause the engine to run sub par, but usually would not cause bucking/stalling issues.

bhmorrill

Great! Thanks for the info. I will hold off on the O2 sensor for now.

With these instructions I was able to get this to work. The check engine light flashed 4 times, there was a pause where it was off, then it flashed 9 times. I am assuming that means 49? I wasn't able to find a 49 code definition. I found 48, but not 49. Or, does this mean code 4 AND code 9?

bhmorrill

Well, since I was finally able to read the error codes, I decided to reset them and do a test drive and see if the same errors came back. Now my car is running perfectly!!! I sure hope it lasts...we shall see. Thanks again for the help, and if things go south again I will be back!!!

MAD_MIKE

AFAIK anything relating to the crank position would be related to the distributor on a pre '96 car.
4 CKP - crank position sensor
9 CYP - cylinder sensor
Possibly a induction pickup issue as that would cause stumbling issues in open loop as well.

Go here http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html

bhmorrill

Well, after a couple of days with absolutely no problems at all, the check engine light came on again when I was on the free way. I was on flat road, not giving it much gas at all. Didn't even notice the engine hesitate much at all, but I guess it did enough to make the check engine light go on again. Anyway, I checked the code and it was:

4 CKP - crank position sensor

So, I will read over the link you gave me Mike and see if I can figure out what I need to do next. I have never heard of induction pickup issues, so I will have to read up on that. I'll let you all know how it goes, and thanks again for the help!

Ben