2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

Search returned about 250 hits on this, but none of them had seemed to be like what I'm experiencing.

I have a 2002 Honda Accord SE with 180,000 miles. I bought this car new - replaced timing belt and water pump just before 100,000. Car has always run very, very well.

About 2 weeks ago, I noticed it being very sluggish on the Interstate. I could get up to 70mph, but it took a while. If going uphill, I couldn't get it over 60. Seems like when it's in a bind (uphill or if I punch it) there's little, if any, response. The tach goes up, but the car doesn't respond.

I had never changed plugs or wires - did that the other night. No change. Filled with 93 Octane and some injector cleaner. Still experiencing sluggish power. RPM's go up, but it's just really sluggish. There's just a slight feel of a tiny miss in it.

Putting in a new cap and button tonight. But a buddy of mine (former Ford dealer mechanic) suspects the timing.

I would appreciate any suggestions - this is my daily driver.

Thanks so much!!

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

Well - sorry for the premature post - but maybe the solution will help someone else.

Upon removal of old button, I could tell that it was extremely worn. Replaced it and the cap. Able to accel uphill now as well as maintain speed going uphill. Before I replaced them, I would lose 10 mph and more on hills almost instantly.

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

you should have gotten those plugs changed long before while you were at it anyway... i guess just do a full tune up on the car to play it safe...

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

Make sure you use NGK plugs and definetly get the timing checked by a professional. I run a seafoam or lucas additive, in my gas as well. The Lucas is cheaper.

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

What's the cap and button?

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

I'm late in updating this, but wanted to share the "real" solution in case others experience it. Car was still sluggish after the repairs mentioned above.

There was a distinct rattle that I never could locate. It sounded like a tin cover vibrating or something of that nature.

Come to find out - the "guts" of the catalytic converter were loose and bouncing around inside the converter housing. Replaced the catalytic converter and problem solved. Excellent acceleration and power after replacement.

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

Just saw last post and was gonna add have you checked exhaust gaskets and cat ect. I undid mine a while ago, Hilarious when you start it up and it rattles and farts at you.

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

Amazing you didn't end up with a P0420 at some point.

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

If i had an OBDII ECU i might :P

I could do with some 420 right now XD

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

Thank you for posting the solution- this post has helped me alot!!

Re: 2002 Accord - sluggish on accel
 

This is great! I noticed my cat was rattling last night and the car was sluggish.... Feeling bummed and assuming they were unrelated problems I needed to address. Two birds, one stone! Thanks for keeping the thread updated!