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YACT: problems just before inspection

rh71

rh71

No Lifer
'90 Accord EX (auto)... inspection is due on it in a week.
Current problems:
- check engine light is on
- speedometer doesn't work
- S indicator for "sports mode" on the dash blinks (manual says tranny problem)
- the brake lamp is on
- cracked right front axle.

Realistically, the car drives fine if you can believe that. About the speedo, I drove through a puddle at highway speeds a few months back so I'm guessing that's what messed up the electronic speed sensor.. and the mechanic thought so as well... he wanted $200+ including labor to replace the speed sensor.

What I want to know is...
- does this speed sensor problem also affect the "S" light blinking ? It started around the same time and the manual says the blinking indicates a transmission problem. I'm thinking the computer believes since the speedo isn't working, there's a problem with the tranny so it's blinking the S light also. The car shifts perfectly fine. Thoughts ?

- Does the brake lamp light come on if the brake pads are wearing down ? I don't know if there's a sensor for that... because the brake lamps look fine in the back.

- Will a cracked (not broken) right front axle pass NYS inspection ? If not, cost on replacement ?

Basically I want to keep the car for at least 2 more years - I drive it to and from the train station and that's it... but I can't get it to pass inspection with all these problems... is it worth it to spend $200+ to fix them and do you see more problems than just the speed sensor fix, realistically ?

And lastly, how much is a car in this condition worth ? I see $2k for good condition '90 Accords... think I can get $1k for this one (122k miles) ? We have another car so I don't mind getting rid of it if it's not cost effective to fix.
 
1. Take your car to autozone and have the computer codes checked
2. The problem with your speedo and transmission problem light is mostly likely the speed sensor like the mechanic sugested.
3. check your brake fluid, thats probably why the brake lamp is on.
4. Get the axel replaced, it will fail at the most in-oportune time leaving you stranded and needing more work than just the axel replaced. (on a side note i had a friend with an 89 accord that the axel failed and sent her into a ditch🙁 )

With all that being said if you put 4-500 into the car i dont see why it wouldnt last you another 2-3 years 🙂
 
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
1. Take your car to autozone and have the computer codes checked
2. The problem with your speedo and transmission problem light is mostly likely the speed sensor like the mechanic sugested.
3. check your brake fluid, thats probably why the brake lamp is on.
4. Get the axel replaced, it will fail at the most in-oportune time leaving you stranded and needing more work than just the axel replaced. (on a side note i had a friend with an 89 accord that the axel failed and sent her into a ditch🙁 )

With all that being said if you put 4-500 into the car i dont see why it wouldnt last you another 2-3 years 🙂
Click to expand...

and an odd on to what he said.... if/when your brake fluid is low, you likely need a new set of brakes.
 
regarding all your warning lights:

ANSWER: vehicle speed sensor. it will cost about ~$150-$170, it takes next to no time for your mechanic to install it (once he has the part). $200 is too much, my mechanic is expensive and he only charged $170.

yes, it will cause the S indicator to blink. the combination of S and check engine is caused by only a few things, all of which would have other OBVIOUS indicators (like temp gauge not working). the combo with S, check-engine, and speedometer can only be caused by the vehicle speed sensor.

edit: BTW, my sensor lasted until ~160K. ffffbbbbbbbbttttttt!!!!!!! 😉
 
if it's anything like my civic, the computer is under the carpet in the passenger footwell and has an LED on it that is blinking out codes right now.
 
The axle is a $60 part w/ core at the parts store. Not sure how much the speed sensor goes for but they're pretty cheap on ebay. The brake light should only flash for a few reasons. One is the parking brake switch could be shot. The other is that you're low on brake fluid. That I know of those are the only two functions that light serves. Even if your car had ABS there's a seperate light for that system.

My best guess is that if you fix the speed sensor the speed will work and the CEL will clear it self as should the S light. The S light could be a seperate problem, however. I recall reading that sometimes there's a circuit in the TCM (tranny computer) that likes to burn up. I'd still replace the speed sensor first and see what happens.

EDIT: Assuming that car is in good cosmetic shape I'd gladly give you 1k for it if I was in the market.
 
Originally posted by: virtueixi
Speedo could simply be a fuse.
Click to expand...
ok, I took a look at both under the dash and in the engine compartment for fuses for speed sensor and brake lamp and neither are present there. Brake fluid level is good too.

Remember folks, this is the "Brake Lamp" indicator, separate from the BRAKE led that is used when I pull a handbrake. But again.. I checked the brake lights (and the center brake light in the backseat area) and they are all functioning. Not a huge deal I guess. I will look for speed sensors on ebay... thanks.
 
Originally posted by: rh71
Originally posted by: virtueixi
Speedo could simply be a fuse.
Click to expand...
ok, I took a look at both under the dash and in the engine compartment for fuses for speed sensor and brake lamp and neither are present there. Brake fluid level is good too.

Remember folks, this is the "Brake Lamp" indicator, separate from the BRAKE led that is used when I pull a handbrake. But again.. I checked the brake lights (and the center brake light in the backseat area) and they are all functioning. Not a huge deal I guess. I will look for speed sensors on ebay... thanks.
Click to expand...

WTH? What brake lamp indicator? Last I checked there's just one dummy light for the brake system unless you have ABS.

BTW, the speed sensor is pretty easy to replace so do it yourself.
 
Originally posted by: NutBucket

WTH? What brake lamp indicator? Last I checked there's just one dummy light for the brake system unless you have ABS.

BTW, the speed sensor is pretty easy to replace so do it yourself.
Click to expand...
The 90 Accord has a drawing of the vehicle's outline in the dash... it has indicators for when you have doors open (it will draw a line to the side of that door's side). Similarly, at the rear of this car outline is an indicator light for "brake lamp"... so I'm pretty sure it means the lights are out... but they are not. 😕
 
Originally posted by: rh71
Originally posted by: NutBucket

WTH? What brake lamp indicator? Last I checked there's just one dummy light for the brake system unless you have ABS.

BTW, the speed sensor is pretty easy to replace so do it yourself.
Click to expand...
The 90 Accord has a drawing of the vehicle's outline in the dash... it has indicators for when you have doors open (it will draw a line to the side of that door's side). Similarly, at the rear of this car outline is an indicator light for "brake lamp"... so I'm pretty sure it means the lights are out... but they are not. 😕
Click to expand...

haha. in my wagon, that's the tailgate light. as in, if you have the tailgate open, the light comes on. chances are, for the sedans, it's the same thing but for the trunk. have you tried giving the trunk a healthy slam? how do you know the light is for the "brake light" and not the trunk?

BTW, i got a new front axle a while back, and it cost about $150 installed from my expensive mechanic.
 
Hey Einstein, that light is for the trunk. If its open it'll be on. Also, if you have an aftermarket alarm its possible that the installer wired up a hood switch to the same light (so the alarm knows if the hood has been opened).

I knew there weren't two lights!

<- 91 Accord owner
 
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Hey Einstein, that light is for the trunk. If its open it'll be on. Also, if you have an aftermarket alarm its possible that the installer wired up a hood switch to the same light (so the alarm knows if the hood has been opened).

I knew there weren't two lights!

<- 91 Accord owner
Click to expand...
Again, the LED SHOWS "BRAKE LAMP" on it so it's not the trunk light being on because it's not closed (besides, I've opened/closed that thing numerous times since then). I've checked the manual for this indicator and it points to the bulbs for brakes... which are good.
 
Anyway,... I'm looking at $350 for just the axle and sensor. 🙁 I don't think driving this car and putting insurance on it is worth the money if I have another car (though it eats more gas) in the driveway... this car is gonna get kicked to the curb... think the garbage truck will take it ?
 
i would take out the bulbs for the brake lights and make sure the connectors are clean. IIRC the "brake lamp" light tells you that your bulbs are bad
 
Originally posted by: rh71
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Hey Einstein, that light is for the trunk. If its open it'll be on. Also, if you have an aftermarket alarm its possible that the installer wired up a hood switch to the same light (so the alarm knows if the hood has been opened).

I knew there weren't two lights!

<- 91 Accord owner
Click to expand...
Again, the LED SHOWS "BRAKE LAMP" on it so it's not the trunk light being on because it's not closed (besides, I've opened/closed that thing numerous times since then). I've checked the manual for this indicator and it points to the bulbs for brakes... which are good.
Click to expand...

Then the likely culprit is one (or both) of the failure sensors; one on each out tail light. Should be a cheap part from the junkyard.

Honestly, replace the speed sensor yourself. Its 3 bolts and a plug. Just have the mechanic do the axle. If not, I might know a guy in NJ lookin' for a CB7.
 
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