Hi everyone, I know this is my first post and that Im new to honda-tech but I've been an observer for a while and always been able to find any information I needed without registering first. I registered with the FA (FreshAlloy) forum and didn't want to be in more than one at the time. I did use the search feature thoroughly to find out the answers to what I'm about to ask help for first and yielded nothing useful. I found two posts on the check engine light and one had to do with the o2 sensor and the other with a 97lx and recalls. As for the "S" light, I found nothing.

My dad has a 90 accord ex and he has a problem with his check engine light. This problem is a bit peculiar because he had a very skilled mechanic who he's known for a long while check all the sensors and when he couldn't figure it out he suggested to check the code. So he took it to the shop and the code reader gave nothing. That was interesting. the thing is that sometimes he starts it and it's on and sometimes it's not. Then later it would come on. Someone told him that it's his ignition that's faulty and needs to be replaced. So what I'm asking if it's possible for the ignition to be faulty and cause the light to come on and if so, can he get a used one, like from the junk yard, a salvage car, classifieds etc. I'm asking because I thought he would be able to but the same person who had told him that it is the ignition told him that he could not and that he would need to purchase one for about $500-600. See, the person who told my dad this is his boss, and my dad works at a shop, so I don't know if he told my dad that he needs to purchase one so he can do the sale.

The second thing, is the "S" light. The car is auto so it comes with the "Sport" setting on it which is just a button in the shift stick which I'm sure you all know. Sometimes it functions properly and you select or deselect the option with no problem bu sometimes it starts to flash. From what I understand, this is a problem within the tranny. His tranny died and he had this problem before his tranny died and after he put in another one (used), the problem was still there. There's no performance problems and the car pulls like new and shifts smoothly. So I'm looking for some insight from anyone with experience, either if they could tell me what I should do or point me to someone/somewhere who can help me.

Thanks guys!


Modified by Guyana00 at 11:17 AM 10/18/2006

 

Anyone? Any input at all that could help me would be appreciated guys, if not, anyone know where there are more experienced places I could go to?

 

I'm not sure which chapter of the post you want an answer for?
The "S" light means there should be a code stored in the TCM, use the blue 2 pin jumper, above the passenger side kick panel. put a jumper wire in it and turn the key on. You should get a flash code.
Usually the 'S' light is some type of electrical malfunctoin.

 

Thank but I've been hearing the 's' light has to do with the tranny, any insight? and he tried getting the code read, I'm not sure if they used the same methos but they run a shop so I'm sure they know how.

 

You should contact a Honda dealership and ask them what to do. Usually dealership mechanics will know the quarks of these systems and they will typically give you a good starting point even if they know it means they won't get your patrionage.

Have the tranny checked by a transmission shop and not just a mechanic (no offense to mechanics but tranny shops see it all and they should know how to thoroughly put a tranny through the works). You should also have the engine codes cleared if they haven't been already, uncleared engine codes have a way popping back up in the system, if you have a real problem then the error will come back and no more harm will be done then is already being done. Get the car in the air and check all the electrical connections to the tranny, make sure there's not a harness connection that is under strain and possibly loosing connection during suspension compression.

If you've had the computer read, checked the dash panel error codes according to the haynes manual, visually inspected the tranny thoroughly, the Honda techs don't give you anything usefull then the next thing to check is the light itself. Who's to say the light is not shorting out to a constant hot and turning on. The car and more importantly wiring harness is 16 years old, after a while the wiring harness will get brittle and the insulation will start to crack and the more you mess with it the more shorts you'll begin to develop. This is a long shot but when you eliminate all other possibilities then you have to start looking elsewere

These are the things I would do to help determine the problem. Since this is a lot of troubleshooting and different sources of information I would also keep a log of what each person/business told you, this may help identify a trend and narrow your search.

Good luck man

 

That sounds like a good idea, I'm gonna clear the codes first and then get the tranny checked at a tranny shop (luckily I know someone). Then if the problems aren't solved at that time I'll look to a Honda mech for some insight on what to do. If no luck still, I'll look into the actual wiring and the harness itself. This seems like the right direction to be heading, thanks a lot guys and thanks john.

P.S. I didn't think about wiring before because I heard of other guys having the same trouble with their accords, but they could have wiring issues as well, as you said, 16 year old car. Also, I thought about a reset before...just don't know why I didn't do it. That would be pretty lame if that works. Anyways, I'll let you guys know how it went.