Hello, Honda-Tech. I have a dilemma with my 1994 Honda Civic DX. I purchased it from a seller on Craigslist who, of course, said everything was great on it considering its age. I'm new to automobiles and have no real knowledge of them. Besides, the only car I've owned is a 1993 Toyota Camry (I know basics about repairing a Camry). But I'm totally new to Honda Civic. I checked the basics, for leaks, sealing problems, startup problems, knocking, and took it for a test drive. I desperately needed a car so I took the guy's word. It has 166,000 miles. On the way to drop the seller off, he was driving, I noticed he would take his foot off the gas, reapply pressure to the gas, and repeat. I asked him why he was doing this, saying was it because the gas was on E (the gas was all the way down, bad sign I didn't heed?). He said that was indeed the reason and I brushed it off as nothing. I'm here with that problem. Randomly while driving, the car WILL NOT accelerate past 10, 20, or 30 mph. What does that mean? No matter how much pressure I put on the gas, it simply will not accelerate. In order for it to get past the speeds it won't get past, I have to do what the seller did, take my foot of the gas then reapply pressure repeatedly. My dad lives in a different state as I'm going to college this upcoming semester, so he couldn't come with me when I bought the car to check it out. He thinks it's something wrong with the throttle or fuel injectors or something. I don't know much of anything about cars, guys. So, can someone please explain to me in laymen terms my problem? Thanks for reading and your concern, Honda-Tech.

 

Click on the CEL sticky to learn how to check for CEL codes.

Does the CEL stay on or turn off after 2 seconds when the key is turned from off to ON(II)? Or does it never turn on?

 

Hey, thanks for responding. I would check now but my mother uses my car for work and will be gone all day even though I warned her against putting all those miles on it when I don't know the problem. I'll have to post the answer to that question tonight.

 

Ok I've read the sticky and did the method with a paper clip but the light doesn't flash. In regards to your question, the CEL goes off after two seconds.

 

There are no codes currently stored in the ECU. If the CEL turns on while driving, pull over and leave the engine running while you jump the service connector.

 

Ok, will do. Thanks.

 

just sounds like its a tps problem. i had problems with that damn sensor once and i had to drive my car home doin like 20 and when it hit the max position the car would fal on its face unless i let off the gas so it wouldnt keep sputtering. but i could be wrong. might want to check cel's like stated and if you get nothing from that, id try to adjust the tps or get a new gasket for it and then re-adjust.

 

Fuel filter???

 

I do think it is a tps problem. That's what makes the most sense in my opinion. I haven't driven it a lot since it last had problems because I wanted to get it checked out by a mechanic, I'll be doing that Monday if everything goes according to plan.