So i am a complete honda virgin and i just bought a 88 CRX. i have secretly been a fan of the CRX even thought ive sworn left and right i would never own one. I am a die hard fbody LSX fan boy but i had the opportunity to get a CRX and took it. So naturally i have many questions. They might be dumb questions but no question is a dumb one right?? I am very mechanically inclined, i have replaced many parts on my jeep and my 12 other cars ive had my whole life so i am mechanically inclined, just not experienced with Hondas. So bare with me! Here we go:

To Start, i have an 88 base model i think (DX?) 5 speed with 252k

1. My passenger cooling fan is not engaging. The driver side works but the passenger does not. I drove it fine for 200 miles and almost 2.5 hours but in town the temp gage started rising when i was idling at a stop for 2-3 mins. (Keep in mind its 97 today and this was after 2.5 hours of highway speeds) Once i took off it went back down to normal. The fan clicks and like squeals and when i wiggle it the noise goes away. Is it stuck or broken or what?

2. Going off of idling. When i start it up the RPMs shoot up to 3500-4000! Then i wedge my foot under the pedal and pull back on the gas pedal and it drops to 500-750. Whats up with that? Sticky pedal? Can i adjust the cable??

3. The clutch is very stiff as well. Is there anyway to adjust the cable to engage later?

4. I have all the components to tune it up (Plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, air/fuel/oil filter, and oil) I heard you should also adjust the valves?? I bought a valve cover gasket set and i have feeler gauges. Any guide on how to adjust the valves?

5. The E brake stays up unless i push it all the way down. The 'brake' light comes on the dash too. I tested it out on a slight incline and i dont even think the E brake works. There is tension but its like not engaging. So im kind of stuck there on how to get it to work.

6. The shifter is SO WOBBLY. Can i tighten it up somehow?? It wiggles back and forth even in gear and ive accidently shifted from 4th to 3rd like 3 times now trying to go to 5th.

7. 3rd gear occasionally chirps when shifting to it from 2nd. Is this common?

8. The AC control panel is broken but still works kind of. Air blows out cold but its pretty broken looking. Fans dont blow too hard. (feels like its on low setting on my jeep. It doesnt like blow the hair out of your face). How do i make the blower fan stronger? Also, i saw you can convert the AC panel to a 90s Accord (CB7 i think??) with some wiring kit.

9. Water dripped from my dash on the passenger side when i took a big turn. So idk what that is.

10. Someone put LX foxbody mustang seats in it. I want to get different ones. Any ideas for better looking seats?

11. I want to change tranny fluid but i have no idea if it has ever been done and i dont want to ruin the tranny by changing the fluid. what should i do?

12. I want to make it somewhat faster. Im sure the tune up will help but whats the extent of bolt ons i can do for relatively cheap after i have fixed everything else?



Thank you for reading and hopefully helping out. Sorry for being so dumb. If there are guides on how to do any of these link them please!!

-Timmy

 

1- The pass side fan is the rad fan, test it by supplying power and ground directly to it, if it does not work replace it, if it works, unplug the ECT switch and jump the plug, if fan turns on, replace the switch.

If still no fan check the rad fan relay, a shop manual or even a Haynes manual is a must if your going to work on your car yourself.

2- Sticky peddle/cable/linkage, disconnect cable at throttle body and check TB for sticking, if not then it is most likely the cable.

3- Adjusting clutch cable... but save that until after clutch is replaced.

4-Valve adjustment ... adjusting valves on an 88 crx youtube - Bing video

5- Adjust E brake cable... CRX Community Forum ? View topic - How to: Adjust the e-brake/parking brake, you may have to replace the cable if it is broken/damaged

6- Shift lever needs now bushings.

7- Chirps???

8- Blower resistor is most likely N/G, [controls blower speed] also sounds like mode control, [controls where air blows out of] is not working, check heater control cables or heater control itself, the A/C switch can be replaced by itself, keeping the heater control stock is the easiest.

9- Check and make sure evaporator housing drain hose is in place and/or not plugged up.

10- Not sure what seats, other then CRX seats] will fit, other Civic seats maybe and aftermarket ones.

11- you can't hurt the tranny changing the fluid, use Honda Manual Transmission fluid or any good MTF

12- Cold Air Intake, exhaust, a dry shot of nitres oxide, [I use a ZEX kit].

You tube is full of guides, [as you can see from the ones I linked. 94

 

Youre the bomb. Thank you so much! Ill get working on all of that asap.

 

YW. 94