nematon785

Hello Everyone,

I am new to posting , however I have researched and studied extensively here and other Honda forums.
Like many others, I have a Honda that is not running tip top, and I am in the process of correcting the issue.
Background:
1996 Honda Accord stock, 345,000 miles. California smog compliant. Frequently driven hard, (a must to survive freeways around here! Plus lots of canyon driving because I live in Malibu) Purchased used a month ago.
Symptoms:
Twice on separate occasions, the vehicle did not want to start. Turned over fine, took a long time to catch, all other times, very quick to start. I noticed this occurred with a very low fuel in the tank level.
Also when getting on the gas after a curve in the road, the hesitation between throttle input and actual response seemed to be getting longer…
One day driving home, the car just died in the driveway (conveinient) would not start at all. On a hunch I added gas even though the gauge said 1/8 tank left.. Magically starts just fine, but that day the real problems began.
Now, the car is incredibly fussy about throttle input. Anything over ¼ of a push on the gas pedal, and the power falls off, and the exhaust sounds “muffled.” At 2000 rpm, the car hates everything until you get to 3000 rpm. Zero power, muffled exhaust sound, chugging, hesitation. At 3000 rpm, everything cleans right up and it runs perfect, unless you mash the throttle to the floor, and then the hesitation and chugging begins.
Now I drive it like a standard transmission, starting in 1st, finishing in D after reaching cruising speed keeping above 3000 rpm just to get to work.
No check engine lights at all. Idle is smooth, driving is fine with light throttle input, as long as you stay out of 2000 to 3000 RPM. No smoke from exhaust, everything under hood looks fine, air filter looks brand new. Adding 8 gallons of gas did not solve the problem. When in neutral, the car responds perfectly to any throttle input. When driving, especially uphill, all the symptoms appear.
After researching and looking up these sorts of problems, I have found almost limitless possible causes. No check engine light makes me think sensors are ok. Good performance up to 2000 rpm, and after 3000rpm makes me think catalytic converter is okay, although suspect. Problems after running out of gas suggests fuel filter is clogged. This morning I mashed the gas and listened after letting up, and heard a tiny backfire infront of the firewall. “ignition issue!” I thought. Here is the plan, one step at a time. No fix, moves on to next step:
Step 1: Inspect plugs, wires, rotor and cap. Clean throttle body with spray stuff, check every vacuum line I can find. Emery cloth to the points in the distributor if I see corrosion, any suspect parts get replaced. This has fixed other cars I owned before, and I think the proximity to the ocean where I live may accelerate corrosion of electrical parts. Disconnect battery, reconnect. Pray computer magically gets it after turning on. Fill tank with 93 octane fuel.
Step two: replace the fuel filter. (nightmare on this model unfortunately)
Step 3 yank pipe off of catalytic converter, drive around noisily to see if any improvement.
Step 4 go through EGR cleaning procedure (ugh…)
Step 5 disconnect O2 sensor, drive around
Step 5 pour some fancy injector cleaner stuff through it
Step 6 have the timing assembly checked by some brain trust down at the local lube shop
Step 7 Drive vehicle to salvage yard, take the bus home, and move on with my life.

I will update with my results as I proceed, and hopefully this will be a useful post for people in the future.
As you can see my eyes gloss over quickly if a multi meter is involved, and at 345k miles, big expenditures are not in the cards.
Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

nematon785

Update:

After driving today, mashing the throttle now causes small intermittent popping sounds from below the car after it loads up. I'm thinking it is very mild backfiring. It really is starting to seem like the catalytic converter is the problem. I am having it tested later today.

nematon785

muffler guy says: Catalytic converter and exhaust are fine. try something else.

Mechanic says: Fuel pressure is where it should be. look into ignition.

Back home with cap, rotor, plugs n wires, will post results after install.

baldguy

I just started having start problems with my 02 coupe. It would refuse to even fart after stopping for whatever, coffee, gas, etc. It would then magically decide it would play, and I could get it home. It started getting longer to start each time it died, so I brought it to my guy. It ended up being a tired fuel pump I was only getting 30 PSI, should be 47-52. It was also drawing 14 amps! Should be around 4. So, pump got changed. It was better, but still occasionally wouldn't start. Changed the fuel pump relay, it was found hanging under the dash without it's cover on it, so this is not a new issue. Changed the fuel filter while it was in the shop. Everything is working as it should! All except the fact that I go through 3/4 of oil per 150 mile commute each day. I can't decide if I should take a chance and try to re-ring it, or just get a decent core and rebuild it.

So, to make a long story short. Maybe you should check out the draw on the pump. It might be getting tired....sorry for the thread hijack. Not my intention.

nematon785

fixed. Throttle position sensor needed replaced.