Hi,

I have the following issues with my 89 accord lxi at:

1. The check engine light comes on in the morning at 32 deg and below,
the car idles rough, After 5 minutes I can restart the car and the
car will run better.

2. Gas mileage drops from 27 mpg to 20 mpg under the same driving
conditions. (except the temp)

3. The key will not come out of the ignition switch.

4. I cannot put the car in gear without using a spare key in the shift
release.

I lived with these issues last winter, and they are starting up again,
during the summer the car runs fine.

I could really use help with they check engine light, I am unable to
find a post describing the ECU location and test procedure for the 89
year.

Thanks

Steve

 

Steve wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I have the following issues with my 89 accord lxi at:
>
> 1. The check engine light comes on in the morning at 32 deg and below,
> the car idles rough, After 5 minutes I can restart the car and the
> car will run better.
>
> 2. Gas mileage drops from 27 mpg to 20 mpg under the same driving
> conditions. (except the temp)
>
> 3. The key will not come out of the ignition switch.
>
> 4. I cannot put the car in gear without using a spare key in the shift
> release.
>
> I lived with these issues last winter, and they are starting up again,
> during the summer the car runs fine.
>
> I could really use help with they check engine light, I am unable to
> find a post describing the ECU location and test procedure for the 89
> year.
>
> Thanks
>
> Steve

I have been chasing down an odd starting problem on my 89 SE-i for
three months now. I have the big factory manual for this car. Here is
some of what I have learned.
The ECU is under the drivers seat. If you have a yellow "Check" light
on, you can turn the key to on without starting the engine, slide the
drivers seat full forward, and open a little door on the back of the ECU
cover. You can then see a small red light blinking. I think the light
will be blinking six times. This indicates a problem in the coolant temp
system. The sensor is on the engine by the thermostat housing. There are
two sensors next to each other. The one you want has a yellow wire and
a green wire. If you have a meter, you can check the resistance of the
sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps. May have a broken
wire at the top of the connector. may need a new sensor. The ECU is
using a stored program to run the car, that's why it's not running right.
The key problem may be fixed with some silicone spray in the key hole.
Might also be a shift linkage out of adjustment.
Good Luck! bob

 

Steve wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I have the following issues with my 89 accord lxi at:
>
> 1. The check engine light comes on in the morning at 32 deg and below,
> the car idles rough, After 5 minutes I can restart the car and the
> car will run better.
>
> 2. Gas mileage drops from 27 mpg to 20 mpg under the same driving
> conditions. (except the temp)
>
> 3. The key will not come out of the ignition switch.
>
> 4. I cannot put the car in gear without using a spare key in the shift
> release.
>
> I lived with these issues last winter, and they are starting up again,
> during the summer the car runs fine.
>
> I could really use help with they check engine light, I am unable to
> find a post describing the ECU location and test procedure for the 89
> year.
>
> Thanks
>
> Steve

I have been chasing down an odd starting problem on my 89 SE-i for
three months now. I have the big factory manual for this car. Here is
some of what I have learned.
The ECU is under the drivers seat. If you have a yellow "Check" light
on, you can turn the key to on without starting the engine, slide the
drivers seat full forward, and open a little door on the back of the ECU
cover. You can then see a small red light blinking. I think the light
will be blinking six times. This indicates a problem in the coolant temp
system. The sensor is on the engine by the thermostat housing. There are
two sensors next to each other. The one you want has a yellow wire and
a green wire. If you have a meter, you can check the resistance of the
sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps. May have a broken
wire at the top of the connector. may need a new sensor. The ECU is
using a stored program to run the car, that's why it's not running right.
The key problem may be fixed with some silicone spray in the key hole.
Might also be a shift linkage out of adjustment.
Good Luck! bob

 

Steve wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I have the following issues with my 89 accord lxi at:
>
> 1. The check engine light comes on in the morning at 32 deg and below,
> the car idles rough, After 5 minutes I can restart the car and the
> car will run better.
>
> 2. Gas mileage drops from 27 mpg to 20 mpg under the same driving
> conditions. (except the temp)
>
> 3. The key will not come out of the ignition switch.
>
> 4. I cannot put the car in gear without using a spare key in the shift
> release.
>
> I lived with these issues last winter, and they are starting up again,
> during the summer the car runs fine.
>
> I could really use help with they check engine light, I am unable to
> find a post describing the ECU location and test procedure for the 89
> year.
>
> Thanks
>
> Steve

I have been chasing down an odd starting problem on my 89 SE-i for
three months now. I have the big factory manual for this car. Here is
some of what I have learned.
The ECU is under the drivers seat. If you have a yellow "Check" light
on, you can turn the key to on without starting the engine, slide the
drivers seat full forward, and open a little door on the back of the ECU
cover. You can then see a small red light blinking. I think the light
will be blinking six times. This indicates a problem in the coolant temp
system. The sensor is on the engine by the thermostat housing. There are
two sensors next to each other. The one you want has a yellow wire and
a green wire. If you have a meter, you can check the resistance of the
sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps. May have a broken
wire at the top of the connector. may need a new sensor. The ECU is
using a stored program to run the car, that's why it's not running right.
The key problem may be fixed with some silicone spray in the key hole.
Might also be a shift linkage out of adjustment.
Good Luck! bob

 

Wait! I meant ohms. If the car can make 200 to 400 amps, park it next
to the house, and hook it up to your electric meter. bob

"N.E.Ohio Bob" wrote:

> you can check the resistance of the
> sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps.s

 

Wait! I meant ohms. If the car can make 200 to 400 amps, park it next
to the house, and hook it up to your electric meter. bob

"N.E.Ohio Bob" wrote:

> you can check the resistance of the
> sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps.s

 

Wait! I meant ohms. If the car can make 200 to 400 amps, park it next
to the house, and hook it up to your electric meter. bob

"N.E.Ohio Bob" wrote:

> you can check the resistance of the
> sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps.s

 

T

"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message news:<3F80E296.FE2BDD96@neo.rr.com>...
> Wait! I meant ohms. If the car can make 200 to 400 amps, park it next
> to the house, and hook it up to your electric meter. bob
>
> "N.E.Ohio Bob" wrote:
>
> > you can check the resistance of the
> > sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps.s

Thanks so much.

 

T

"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message news:<3F80E296.FE2BDD96@neo.rr.com>...
> Wait! I meant ohms. If the car can make 200 to 400 amps, park it next
> to the house, and hook it up to your electric meter. bob
>
> "N.E.Ohio Bob" wrote:
>
> > you can check the resistance of the
> > sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps.s

Thanks so much.

 

T

"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message news:<3F80E296.FE2BDD96@neo.rr.com>...
> Wait! I meant ohms. If the car can make 200 to 400 amps, park it next
> to the house, and hook it up to your electric meter. bob
>
> "N.E.Ohio Bob" wrote:
>
> > you can check the resistance of the
> > sensor when the car is warm. Should show 200-400 amps.s

Thanks so much.