This post is regarding my friends 94 EX Accord. I drove it today to diagnose it and can't seem to figure out what's wrong with it.

This is what happens, while at idle the rpms jump up and down between 500rpm-750rpm. The car feels like it is about to die. While driving it feels as if it is struggling especially when going uphill. The speedometer also staggers but that could be due to a loose needle. Well I'm ready to listen to your suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

 

there's alot of possibilities, could be the timing is off or maybe a faulty fuel pump.

 

Is there a way to test out the fuel pump without replacing it?

 

change your oil? idle sensor?

 

just to discard, is the battery and alternator good? sometimes (not sure if accords) when new cars have any of these failing they thend to work wrong.
First: how is the car on the usual tune up? Air filter clean? Injectors ok? spark plugs?? cables....blah blah blah??
ok, Did you reseted the ECU? sometimes that works, if not, maybe a Faulty IAC or TP sensor

Any codes?

 

check the main relay, and get a tune up.

 

SiK AcCorD > When he first bought the car which was a little over a month ago he got a complete tune up before he even drove it daily. Idle sensor I don't think so because there are no CEL's.

GZERO > Yea battery and alternator are fine. Didn't reset the ECU will try that.

92LX > Car had a tune up no longer than a month ago. What could be wrong with the main relay?

 

man, when car idle like that is either a sticking valve or lost of vacuum hose,

dis how to fix vaccuum leaks.

leave car idle.....open hood........get water bottle.......spray over intake port......if engine die at the spot u spray to......then dats ur leaks.......

i had problem before, even a small vacuum hose cause problem like u have ..

 

"Staggering up hills" sounds like your car is going into safe-mode and retarding the timing.

On my 16v Jetta, there was a knock sensor on the block that went bad. It retarded the ignition intermitantly (usally after long drives) and did exactly the same thing your friends' car is doing: "staggering up hills"; i had no power under load.

Disclaimer: I don't have my manual handy to lookup what would be applicable.

 

If there was a tune-up several months ago, then check the wires. There's a good chance someone could have slightly torn one wire... just enough for it to still fire for the most part, but weaken the spark. Hey, it's happened to me before. Also check to see if the firing order is correct. My accord ran like crap with 2 and 3 reversed, but it still ran. Check the plugs again. That in itself is a good indicator of what's going on in the engine. you can compare them to pictures and find out if the car is running too lean due to lack of fuel, too rich, etc etc etc.... Use a ohm meter and check the wires while you check one of the plugs.

Try checking the MAP sensor. It's located on the throttle body I believe. You have the F22 series engine, right? no modifications to the engine, i presume? if you put in a CAI or an AI, did you remove the resonator and vaccuum lines? Did you remember to plug the one on the throttle body (if applicable). have you checked for good fuel pressure? Cheap to replace the fuel filter also.

 

He said that it does ocassionally make a knocking sound as well.

 

if it is an EX it has the V-tec engine F22B1? B2 is non V-tec

 

No accord expertise, but my thoughts on the possibilities are: Check your fluids... probably you're running out of oil which is very ******* bad... bad alternator... I'm willing to bet he has a problem w/ low oil. Check your spark plugs.