I have a 1990 honda Accord LX with 178 k miles on it. This has been a GREAT car. Recently, sometimes the car will turn over but won't start. Then after awhile it starts fine. I am getting spark. Also, the idle will drop to about 250 rpm while sitting at a light and then return to normal (about 850 rpm). Now my speedometer works sometimes and other times it doesn't. It sounds like an electrical problem of some kind. Has anybody else experienced this?

Thanks,

Michael

 

Here a couple of common problems with '90-93 Accords...

Vehicle speed sensor. It's on top of the transmission and it will cause your speedometer problems.

Main relay. Intermittant no starts when it's hot outside or it will completey fail.

Distributor. Intermittant stalls or a complete failure. Sometimes you can get away with replacing the igniter but it's usually best to replace the sub assembly (Honda factory parts aren't very expensive for this year).

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll check those out. What about my idle speed fluxuating so much? What can cause that?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wtph &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 1990 honda Accord LX with 178 k miles on it. This has been a GREAT car. Recently, sometimes the car will turn over but won't start. Then after awhile it starts fine. I am getting spark. Also, the idle will drop to about 250 rpm while sitting at a light and then return to normal (about 850 rpm). Now my speedometer works sometimes and other times it doesn't. It sounds like an electrical problem of some kind. Has anybody else experienced this?

Thanks,

Michael</TD></TR></TABLE>

Talk about alot in common...the names Mike too...lol...anyways, yes i've incountered the same exact problems. How long ago have you done a complete tune-up? Plugs, Cap, Rotor, etc, etc. Sometimes this takes care of the idling problems and false starts. My car does that too, but not soo much after i stuck in new plugs. Gotta get a cap and rotor w. wires too. Anyways, if the car idles when you first start it in the morning, like it goes to 2000 then surges up and down to 1000, it's your Idle Air Control on your intake manifold. Replace the two units on your Intake Mani and you should be fine. This is a very common problem with accords also. Good luck.