My son has a 96 Accord Value model, 160k miles. Yesterday the check engine light came on, the speedometer stopped working and then the car stopped accelerating while driving. All power stays on. If you stop the car shut if off and restart it, it will start driving as normal and then does the same thing. Almost as if the car goes into Neutral in the middle of driving, the engine will rev but wont move, until it is shut off and start it again. Please help, this is my sons car and I am at a loss and have had horrible experience with mechanics.

 

The car may be in a fail-safe (limp) mode. Get the car's trouble code(s) read/scan. With the exception of California, many auto parts stores (like Autozone) will read the trouble codes for free.

Post the actual trouble code(s) when you get them.

The 96 Accord has a DLC/OBD-II port behind the ashtray area. There is also a separate blue 2-P service check connector, which can be jumped with a small paper clip or wire to get the trouble codes by counting the flashes on the Check Engine Light or D4 transmission indicator. However, an OBD-II reader/scanner plugged into the DLC port will give more detailed codes through.