I have a 1991 Honda Accord LX.
I purchased it from one of those Official Police auctions for $925 which I thought wasn't bad since the tires were still on, okay exterior, only broken passenger mirror, didn't make a sound when they cranked it, no hanging wires other than the missing ac unit and out take fan.


1st day I purchased it, battery died which is common for sitting so long. - replaced it with a duralast from Autzone.

2nd Radiator fan started going bad and make screeching noises. (noticed previous owner hooked up a red wire directly to the fuse box to keep it running when the car is on...is that okay?)

3rd day realized AC was missing.

4th day Drove about 24 miles and stopped to eat, it was hot as heck and the car didn't start. Lights went on when I turned the key and everything, even the radiator fan was going, but no engine. I let it sit for an hour and it started up again fine. No whining or anything.

5th day ran fine for about 20 miles.

6th day the fan starting screeching again. And yes I'm sure its the fan and not the belts.

7th day lo and behold it did not start. Only the lights went on. I replaced the spark plugs even had the motor oil done. Replace air filter. Checked other oils. (power steering needs to replaced again but I doubt that's the issue).


Other symptoms
- Occasionally the car seemed to tug when reaching around 40mph but only briefly (prob transmission or alignment?)
-Speedometer does not work sometimes
-Fuel seems to rarely mark... I never seem to loose gas past the mid mark...it just stays there.
-S light is blinking but i think it has to do with the speedometer.
-Engine makes no sound but I do believe I can hear the Fuel Injection when i hit the gas pedal. So -I'm going to assume fuel injection is fine?
-I've tried cranking it up every other day since that 7th day so its been about 10 days since it stopped working.

Any help? I'll answer everything that needs to be known. I'm a student on a budget and I do have around another $1000 to repair this car. I'm trying to aim for under $500...

Note: I did purchase the Owner's Repair manual, so maybe if you give me an idea I can look it up in my book and try it...

And if you have an idea of what's wrong how much do you think it'll cost me at most? Can I realistically do some of it myself to reduce costs? I catch on real fast...incredibly fast. I can probably do everything as far as repair until it comes to dismantling the actual engine, transmission, or other extremely complicated machinery.

 

This link might help you diagnose the problem:

http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html

 

I want to doubt its the battery but I have no voltimeter/multimetere - whatever you call it, to test it. I only assume it works fine since everything in the car lights up powers on. However there's no sound which leads me to the conclusion of a timing belt? I have to take the bus home to check this out tonight... Will update I appreciate the link!


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If it's the timing belt anyone know if its easy to replace?
-----------Nevermind I googledit I'm look at $250+?

 

S blinking is cuz it has a tranny code. find the blue connector at the pass kick panel/glove box and jump it. then turn the key on.
could be just the speed sensor, or could be more. the speed sensor not working will effect shifting.

a broken timing belt the motor will spin, just faster. and it will sound smoother. you can hear the lack of compression.
if you turn the key and it does nothing, get a hammer or big wrench or something and whack the starter a couple times.

your fan motor is no doubt dead. change it before the blades eat a hole in your radiator.

 

If I were to guess based on your description, I would say the starter solenoid is bad.

Try this next time it doesn't start. Put a piece of wood in your car. Something like a broom handle or something about that size. If it doesn't start, put one end of the broom handle on the starter and tap the other end with a hammer. You shouldn't need to hit it too hard. Tap it a few times, then try to start it.

 

So whack my starter with a hammer a few times? is there a youtube video for this? This seems like something I'd only do to my computer... lol.
-----edit------
Actually this kind of makes sense. My start probably is 'worn out' from not being changed in a long time or oxidized from sitting in the tow yard for 2 months.

I hope this works. I just want to be able to drive it to my mechanic and not have to pay for a dang tow.

 

So...now the car wont turn on at all. No lights... nada... Going to go see about jumping the battery.

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Got the battery re-charged at autozone for free. He said it may be my alternator?

So the starter didn't make a sound at first. Then I hit it like people said to. it made one click sound but it didnt start the car. so I hit it a few more times. Then I heard like 2 click sounds and still the car does not start. There were no click sounds until i had hit my starter, so I'm going to get it replaced and see about the alternator i guess.