[Hkolody]

I love my car but have lots of problems, leaking oil, squealing factory stereo, needs passenger side moldings (preferably used) car wont start right away after it has been running, I have to wait 5 to 10 minutes then it starts right away (relay maybe??) Now it needs a new alternator. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help, I really love the car and want to put the money in to fix it. but need some pointers.

 

[ND1980LS]

I love my car but have lots of problems, leaking oil, squealing factory stereo, needs passenger side moldings (preferably used) car wont start right away after it has been running, I have to wait 5 to 10 minutes then it starts right away (relay maybe??) Now it needs a new alternator. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help, I really love the car and want to put the money in to fix it. but need some pointers.

There's an alternator on Ebay right now. I think you're on the right track on the starting issue.....it could be your main relay. As far as the stereo; is your car an L or an LS. If it's an LS just send the speakers/amps back to Bose as I have on the 2 LS Coupe's I've restored...have them repaired/replaced and they'll sound as good as new ! As far as body side moldings.....check your local lunkyards. I may have some extra's if you PM me....and I'll try to send pics of what I have. If not....I'd follow Ebay also !

 

[Hkolody]

Thanks

Thanks for the all the tips, I will check out ebay for some parts

 

[5speed]

Welcome, Hkolody... Check this link out...might find something that applies to you. http://techauto.tripod.com/

 

[pnoye2]

Hey, welcome to the forums Hkolody... for oil leaks; start with top/side valve covers gaskets, also check distributor, o-ring could possibly be shot as well.

Check main relay for your intermittent starting problem, use the link provided by 5speed to troubleshoot, I find this site very useful and suggest you bookmark it for refference... hope this helps!

 

[Hkolody]

Thanks

Thanks for all the great tips guys, I have had nothing but problems with my car the last 2 days, I put a new alternator in today and a new batter in yesterday and then tonight it went dead again. lights start to go dim and it looses power but stays running then as soon as I shut it off and try to restart it is completely dead and I have to get a boost. Don't know what the hell is wrong. but it is -40 up here in Canada so I better find out what the problem is before I am stranded in a snow bank somewhere. Thanks again. Heather.

 

[ND1980LS]

Thanks for all the great tips guys, I have had nothing but problems with my car the last 2 days, I put a new alternator in today and a new batter in yesterday and then tonight it went dead again. lights start to go dim and it looses power but stays running then as soon as I shut it off and try to restart it is completely dead and I have to get a boost. Don't know what the hell is wrong. but it is -40 up here in Canada so I better find out what the problem is before I am stranded in a snow bank somewhere. Thanks again. Heather.

Time to take it to a Honda/Acura specialist !

 

[cigarettcancerman]

as for your charging check all your fuses, both alternator wires, if there is a break in the circuit most alternator test will say its bad, usually it will say its putting off 0 volts which kinda hard to believe since you would have had problems long before then... and make sure you got good clean battery terminals. also get a electrical meter and check for 12volts while its running. somtimes low power can cause the car to be harder to start when hot.

For the speaker noise does it increase with engine rpm? if so is your stereo aftermarket? running speaker wires beside a power wire for a amp will make that noise.. for the stock system there is a little black box, very small beside the ignition coil with 2 wires running from it, make sure they are both plugged up because they come unplugged easy, its there to stop that noise.

for the starting problem.. next time it does it try giving it a jump, possibly you could have a poor connection somewhere. When you try to start it does the engine crank over or does nothing happen at all? turn the key off then to the on position and listen for a wirring sound, if you hear that your main relay and fuel pump is working.

and for the oil.. go ghetto department store and get 2 or 3 cans of gunk engine brite (not the foaming type) and cover your distributor and with the engine cold spray it all over the engine, let it sit for 15 mins and wash it off with a hose. let the car idle untill the oil starts to leak, DONT DRIVE IT, or else you wont have a clue to as where it came from because it will blow everywhere. fresh oil will usually be a little hard to spot since its still clean, press a napkin against all gasket mating surfaces after the engine has dried. make sure to get under the car around that oil pan too.

 

[5speed]

Hey, welcome to the forums Hkolody... for oil leaks; start with top/side valve covers gaskets, also check distributor, o-ring could possibly be shot as well.

Check main relay for your intermittent starting problem, use the link provided by 5speed to troubleshoot, I find this site very useful and suggest you bookmark it for refference... hope this helps!

pnoye2;
Are you the person who originally discovered that link? I had it "bookmarked" and didn't know who to credit... If it was you, thanks! Very informative!

 

[pnoye2]

pnoye2;
Are you the person who originally discovered that link? I found it in "bookmarked" and didn't know who to credit... If it was you, thanks! Very informative!

Thanks 5speed... YES, I bookmarked the link for all of us here on this forums but NO I wasn't the one who originally post the link... I too find it very helpful! :2cool:

http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=72557&highlight=main+relay

I think HiKaRuReith deserves the credit... :bowdown:

 

[Hkolody]

Thanks

Thanks Cigarette man, those are all great tips, I think at this point I am going to suck it up and take it in to Acura and get everything fixed because this is like looking for a needle in a haystack. My husband won't work on the car because it's an import and he says you need hands the size of mice to fit into all those little crevices and I can only do so much. Maybe at least if I take it in to them they can tell me everything that needs to be fixed and then I can just get someone else cheaper to fix it for me.

Thanks again,