Fuel Issue

[86lxi340K]

I got an 86 lxi with 340,000 miles on it. It starts and drives pretty good but hesitates and sputters under any load. At higher speeds the PGM-FI light comes on. When this happens the idle starts to jump from 1100 to 1800 when not moving. But the strange thing is if I kill the motor and start it again the symptoms are gone and the light wont come back on for a while. I put on a new filter, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump relay, fuel injector resistors and such. I have not looked at the pump yet. But I pulled each of the injector wires individually and felt a drop in idle for each one. And sometimes the battery light will flash when its cold in the mornings. But that might be a different issue.

[86lxi340K]

I've heard that you can preform whats called a paperclip test. Jump two terminals on a diagnostic connector somewhere and get the PGM light to blink out a code. Is there anyone who knows anything about this proceedure? Is it even possible on my model?

[turabaka]

I believe there's a diagnostic light attached to the ecu under the drivers seat. That's the light that blinks the code. Hopefully one of the fuel injected guys can chime in since I don't even have an ecu in my car.

[bullard123]

Yes turbaka is right. Take out your driver's seat and you will see the ecu bolted to the floor. Get yourself a Chilton's Manual and locate the ecu codes. Now just turn the key to the on position (don't start the car) while looking at the ecu and observe the number of flashes you see. Then refer the number of flashes to the code in the manual. Note: Sometimes you mave have more than one code

[Bluntman]

This will help.

Comment posted on Jul 01, 2008
How to check your Check Engine Light codes:
1. move driver seat all the way forward.
2. locate the box on the floor.
3. locate the small plastic window and pop it open.
4. turn the ignition on.
5. count how many times the light blinks.
6. refer to the table below

CODES for 86-89 accord and 85-89 prelude


00 LED FLASH(s) ECU

01 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
Oxygen Sensor "A" (Primary)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

02 LED FLASH(s) 85-89 Accord
Oxygen Sensor "B"
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

03 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
MAP Sensor (Manifold Absolute Pressure)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

04 LED FLASH(s) Crank Angle

05 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 * Accord
MAP Sensor (Manifold Absolute Pressure)
mechanical problem / disconnected piping
* exc. 94-95

06 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
ECT Sensor (Engine Coolant Temperature)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

07 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
TP Sensor (Throttle Position)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

08 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
TDC Sensor (Top Dead Center)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

09* LED FLASH(s) 85-98** Accord
CYP Sensor (Cylinder)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor
* not a valid code for any throttle body injection Hondas
** not a valid code for V-6 engines

10 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
IAT Sensor (Intake Air Temperature)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

12 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
EGR Lift Sensor (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

13 LED FLASH(s) 85-98 Accord
BARO Sensor (Atmospheric Pressure)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

14 LED FLASH(s) 88-98 Accord
IAC Valve (Idle Air Control)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor
IAC VALVE HELP

15 LED FLASH(s) Ignition output signal

16 LED FLASH(s) fuel injector

17 LED FLASH(s) 88-98 Accord
VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

Thanks to my buddies at 3geez for the info, When That check engine light comes on bring the car to a stop DONT TURN IT OFF! and follow the instructions Posted above That WILL Narrow it to the the Exact problem. Good Luck Man!

[86lxi340K]

Okay so I checked the light and it was 12 flashes. I figured this meant it was an EGR valve problem and swapped it out. But after a few miles on the free way the light came back on showing the same code. Any suggestions?

[1987AccordLx-i]

Okay so I checked the light and it was 12 flashes. I figured this meant it was an EGR valve problem and swapped it out. But after a few miles on the free way the light came back on showing the same code. Any suggestions?

check the wiring.. the plastic wire cover can be cracked or could be grounding out somewhere

[Dr_Snooz]

Take a handheld vacuum pump and apply vacuum to the valve with the car running. The car should shut off. If it doesn't, then I would look at the ports in the intake. Clean them out and see if that helps. If it does, then I would check the control pots in the black box.