Hey, not a car person here, but thought I would give this one a shot.

I have a 1988 Honda Accord LX. When I bought it about a year and a half ago, it seemed to be in really good shape, and although I have had the random repair done here or there, nothing has ever really been a crippling issue. However, around two weeks ago I came out to my car one day, turned they key, and heard a clicking noise. This was before I ever turned on the engine, just the electrical. I took it to a shop and the verdict was that the clicking noise (coming from the left backside of the engine from the drivers viewpoint) was something called a pollution control valve. The mechanic said that I didn't need to worry about it and I could drive it with the clicking (even though I had never heard this clicking before)

A few hours later I was backing out from home and my car shut off....my car has always had a bit of an issue with wanting to shut off, especially in the colder months (though obviously this is July). However, it started up fine and I wasn't too concerned. The next day I was driving to school and the car shut off WHILE I was driving. Thankfully I was basically at the school parking lot, so I just creeped into a spot. At this point I was rather concerned, but someone mentioned that on really hot days (and where I live in Kentucky there was about a 98 degree temp, with a 106 heat index) a car can sometimes get vapor lock, or something like that.

I had no more problems that day, but the next day I was driving and it shut off again, however it was also very hot that day, so I hoped it was a heat issue. Sadly, the next day while I was driving home from school, the car started to really strain to keep moving. I had already decided to take the car back to the shop at this point, but I wasn't even able to get home as while I was on the expressway, my car shut off again while I was driving. From that point on, anytime I was not pressing the gas pedal, the car would shut off. No matter what I tried, as soon as it started to slow down, the car would just shut off.

Through some creative driving I managed to get the car back to the shop later that night, and the next day the mechanic said that the carburetor was in need of service, though he never said what exactly the problem was (and the first time I took the car in he had to "call someone" about the clicking noise). Now the mechanic never charged me for looking at my car, so I don't think he is trying to scam me, but rather he simply may not want to admit a lack of knowledge on my particular car. That aside, however, he did turn my idle all the way up on my car to keep it from shutting off. Also, skip to todayand when I went to start my car it didn't want to start at all. I turned the key a few times and it just sat there. Eventually on the tail end of a turn of the key, the car started, but now apparently the car even starting isn't assured. Thus far (two days) the idle solution has worked, kinda, but even as someone who knows diddly about cars, I am guessing that my car starting at 3,500 RPM and the engine sounding like it is about to explode, is not a good thing. My car has always shifted hard, but now it feels like a wild animal is trying to bust out of the engine when I switch gears...

I honestly don't think I have even ten trips left in that car, but I am in a bind because I am a college guy with essentially no money. I see a loan in my future . However, if possible I was gonna see about any suggestions from some folks online who might know about this.

As for getting it worked on, my uncle is a gear head on older American cars, and with the book I have on my Honda (Hayes book), I am thinking he might be able to do something with it. So, first off, any hints on the major issue? Second, what is the "pollution control valve" on an 88 Honda Accord. The book I have doesn't call it that, but my uncle wants to disconnect it, provided we can find out what it's called in the book. If any other info is needed, please feel free to ask as I will be checking this thread often, thanks!

 

i have never heard of the pollution control valve ...........if you have carb issues,,floats sinking. idle passage plugged etc etc it is not a good idea to raise idle up way high to keep car running you are putting a band-aid ina 20 inch cut ..and as for shifting like a charging bull that is normal if the rpm are too high ,,but you are going to destroy the motor mounts prematurelly............

try this... on back of cark there is a solenoid, remove it, if you have access to compressed air great,, get some carb cleaner, spray in hole and then blow with compressed air see if it helps ,,,but again if it is in the carb it will have to go under the knife .......take it to a honda specialist and ask them to chk out and advise

 

lol........pollution control valve makes me giggle

i had a very similar problem with my SE-i coupe (fuel injected tho)

wud just shut off goin down the road for no real reason, id bet the ignition switch is in need of replacement. when ur sitting in ur driveway trying to get it to start, when u turn the key do u notice the idiot lights die prematurely? if so, its definately the switch. if not, id check the distributor