So I just got my first civic a few days ago, an 89 DX hatch, and it's my new track project. It's also serving DD duty right now while my WRX's motor is being built. Well since there is no tach, I do occasionally hit redline and I've noticed that whenever this happens, the CEL comes on immediately and the car goes into limp mode, and starts running super rich. I usually just pull over, turn the car off, then turn the car back on and the CEL is gone and the car works normal again... until I hit redline haha. I have an Autometer tach that I'm installing in the next few days but I was wondering why the car goes into limp mode when you redline it, I'm rather new to Honda's. Thanks in advance for the help guys!

 

When this happens what I would do, is pull over, turn the car on accessory, where it has power but don't start it, pull up the carpet on the pass side carpet and count the red light flashes, thats the code you are throwing.

If this is your DD, you really need to install a tach or not smack it off the rev limiter. If you continue to do this, that motor might not handle it depending on what shape it's in.

 

Thanks for the tip! Well I don't really do it anymore because I know what speed redline is at in first and second now, unfortunately from experimentation. I've got a tach that I plan on installing this week, I am just a little hesitant because I don't want the tach to get stolen.

 

Don't put it in plain view of others, or if you are worried about it, go to a junkyard and grab an 88-89 Si or HF cluster with a tach and it's just plug and play. 90-91 you need to change some of the wires.

 

Thanks, do you have any ideas on location to mount the tach where it won't be visible to others but it will be easily visible to me? Like I said though, once I get my WRX back this will no longer be my DD and I won't have to worry about things like that. That's another reason why I'm waiting to install my cage too.

 

Maybe get a small tach like from Advanced or Autozone the small like 2 1/2 sunpro one or something if you don't want to change out the cluster.

As far as mounting a 5 1/2 inch tach I don't think there is a subtle place to put it that you can easily see and others can't due to its size.

 

I think I'm just going to get one of those windshield reflector things for the sun and always put it up and people won't see it when I'm parked.

 

i really dont think you have much to worry about. it's just a tach, people just dont go around stealing these things all ***** nilly

 

Well I don't know about you but my car got keyed by MS13 yesterday. I wouldn't call the neighborhood kids "trustworthy". Sanding that off sucks...

 

lol

 

damn u need to move from tht neighborhood MS13 move if u wanna live and not have ur car jacked . i am just giving my two cents

 

It was actually in my friend's neighborhood, but I'm over there all the time.

 

just be careful not to put anything nice on tht car cuz it will be gone 5 mins after u get to ur friends house trust me . I live in wilmington next to Long Beach CA and they once watched me for like a week till they seen i forgot to put the alarm on becasue it was late. alarm really loud(LOL) when activated
and like 20 mins after tht they broke into it and stole my amp but once i heard them in my drive way i gotmy 44.mag yes yes 44.mag tht i keep under my pllow and ran over there and when i got tht damn door open they were almost out of site . i still bait them cuz i wanna smoke one cuz this is bull crap them same thieves broke in to 7 houses and stole all the wifes gold and silver and the kids ipods ..

so what i am saying is BE VERY CAREFUL

oh also check the ECU it migh have stored codes

 

Thanks for the advice. I know how you feel, people who mess with other people's cars are below low.

 

So actually I just checked the code today, and it said code 8, which is the TDC sensor. I'm not driving in limp mode so the CEL isn't on, but the ECU still reads code 8. Anyone got any ideas?

 

here yah go
check the wires coming from it and in the connector so see it loose or broken

 

I just did a quick check without taking the cover off and everything looked good, just super old of course. I'll go in and take the cover off and give it a look later.

 

I finally have a tach and I'm finding that this is actually happening around 5k-5.5k RPM. I'm thinking maybe I will just run some 91 and Chevron Fuel Cleaner through it and see if it helps. If not then I will probably replace the O2 sensors and go from there. Like I said, it runs great up until it starts running super rich at high RPM.