Troubleshooting a 1988 Honda Accord
Honda vehicles are known for their long-term reliability, especially their economy class cars, such as the Accord. However, general maintenance and upkeep is needed to keep your Honda running at its optimum level. Troubleshooting your 1988 Honda Accord should be done right away, especially if your Accord is showing signs of drivetrain malfunctions. By troubleshooting and taking care of simple repairs before they progress into more extensive problems, you can keep your Honda Accord running reliably for years to come.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Air intake filter
- ECU error code reader
- Transmission fluid
- Socket wrench
- Socket set
- Screwdriver set
Instructions
-
-
1
Perform any general maintenance on your Accord that has not been done recently. This includes changing the engine oil and oil filter, as well as the air intake filter. Remove the spark plugs from the engine valve cover and inspect the bottom of each plug. If there is any black soot buildup or other signs of wear, replace all four spark plugs to ensure your Accord's ignition system is operating properly.
-
2
Plug an ECU error code reader into the ECU access port, located in the driver's side foot well. This is only necessary if your Accord is displaying a "Check Engine" light. The ECU error code reader will give you a readout of the error code number, as well as a brief description of the malfunction causing the error code. This allows for easy diagnosis of most engine malfunctions. If you don't own an ECU error code reader, take your Accord to a Honda dealer or auto parts retailer, as generally they offer free readouts of the ECU error codes.
-
-
3
Replace the transmission fluid with a fully synthetic fluid. Generally, the transmission will show signs of wearing long before any major malfunctions. Signs of transmission wear include excessive transmission whine, rough gear engagement and/or grinding of the gears. Generally, swapping the transmission fluid for a high-quality, synthetic replacement alleviates most signs of transmission wear. In rare cases, more extensive transmission damage may have developed, requiring rebuilding or replacement of your Accord's transmission.
-
4
Check the serpentine belt system on the side of the engine. There are multiple rubber belts that run the Accord's accessories, such as power steering and air conditioning. Worn or loose belts can create screeching or chirping noises from the engine compartment, especially on cold startup. Replacing worn serpentine belts and/or properly tensioning them should put a stop to all noises originating from the belt system.
-
5
Properly secure all interior panels if you are experiencing rattling noises originating from the interior of your Accord. All interior panels are secured with tab fasteners and/or Phillips-head screws. Ensure all interior Phillips-head screws are tightly secured, as well as all tab fasteners.
-
1
