Laundry List of Small Issues

[wakko14]

Hey everyone, working the 9 - midnight shift at work tonight (in a computer lab at the grand University of Cali, Santa Cruz), so I thought I'd kill some spare time and ask about some (big and small) problems I've been having with my 85.5 944. Just an aside, I'm not the most prolific person when it comes to cars, but I know their basic workings. My apologies in advance if I bother you all to explain things over a few times. Here we go:

1) Okay, this started yesterday. It's been raining a lot, and something may be shorting, but I stopped at the gas station to fill up my tank and everything was fine. When I started the car up again the battery charge light came on and the needle for the charging gauge was sitting near the bottom. However, when I would start driving again, the RPMs would get going and the needle would return to its usual position. As soon as I slowed and let the RPMs drop, the needle would drop again. And it's still doing it today. Any ideas?
2) This has been going on for a little bit, but when I try to shift into 2nd from 1st there's a grinding sound. If I let the RPMs drop before shifting it doesn't happen, or if I let the stick return to the center, neutral position and then shift into 2nd it doesn't happen. Also, it does not happen when shifting from 3rd to 2nd. Only on the way up. From what I've been reading up here, it sounds like it might be an issue with a synchro ring. Is this a resonable assessment? In the meantime, I take it real easy on the shifting, as I'm sure the sound of grinding means the sound of money dissapearing from my besieged bank account.
3) When I put on the turn signal, the headlights turn off. Not always, but basically if I wiggle the turn light lever, they'll flicker.
4) When I'm driving fast (which is as often as I get a chance) anytime I get over 65mph I hear a whistling sound. I've tracked it down to the sunroof, and it looks like it's not seating completely flush with the roof of the car. It seems like the seal on the sunroof sticks out a bit and keeps it from going all the way level with the body of the car. Fortunately, it's not leaking, but I don't want to wait till it does.

Okay, I think that's all. Not much right? Basically, are these things I can attempt myself, or should I find a mechanic? Like I mentioned, I can handle working on things, it's pretty much just a lack of info that holds me back. And yes, I already have a Haynes manual, so feel free to refer me to it. Sorry this post is so long, I don't have much else to do right now, and I usually read this board when I'm at work, so my thanks go out to all of you for keeping me entertained/educated while I should be working. With any luck, I might be a shade tree mechanic one of these days.
-Steve

[wakko14]

Oh yeah, this isn't a problem, but just a question. Yesterday someone stole the hood badge off my car. Grrrrr.. I know how to fix that, but just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. At least the screwdriver they used didn't scratch through the paint.
-Steve

[Leigh 13]

Hey...not sure about #1, but here's what I can say for the others:

2) Definitely sounds like a busted synchro. I suggest getting it looked at as soon as possible, because you could end up doing permanent damage to the gears by driving it as is. If you don't get it looked at now, you could end up with a noisy gear for the life of the car.

3) Check the dash wiring for shorts and make sure everything is grounded properly!

4) I think you've got that one under control. If you've got a manual sunroof, be careful with the clips because they can break easily if the roof isn't aligned or is skewed because of a loose seal.

[1.2gees]

Well, according to consumer reports, Honda is right up there with toyota (beating every other manufacturer) in reliability, with less than %2 of people reporting major repairs required on new cars. (if I remember correctly).

However my parents car has needed two transaxles (it's an auto), but were replaced under warranty. This was when the car was less than a year old (and less than 10k miles) and there was a tech bulletin about the transaxle, as they didn't complain about fixing the thing. It had a couple of interior rattles, and one from the back window still remains.

So far it's handled it's modifications quite nicely as well... (head work, wider nice sport tires, springs/shocks, rotors pads, and other small stuff like brake fluid, etc.). The car shifts late, when driven agressively, for a car designed to be a family car, it's not bad at all. Also, for the price, in my honest opinion it beats ALL other cars in performance/comfort, and reliablity.

On the downside, when driven hardly, it complains, brakes smoke, and pads don't last, and the transaxle is slow to downshift. The worst thing is that it doesn't have an LSD!!!

For sub $30k, it comes with 200+hp, torque to match, a good stereo, leather, sunroof, auto transmission, nice double a-arm suspension, a stiff chasis, nice rims and I think it looks quite good, etc. It's also the quietest car in the class/or price range.

PS: It's a 98 Accord Coupe EX V-6.
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[PrerYDoG]

Ahmet, I think you posted that in the wrong topic...

[1.2gees]

I'm almost positive I posted it in the right tread, but it came up here.

I had a problem with the post, that had pics on it too, I think it's the server that does that now & then, thanks for the heads up.
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[Dave's 944]

As for your voltage problem. Your alternator could be going bad. But i would check the tension on your belts first cause they might be slipping a bit.

[Timm]

#1. Sounds like the alternator. Check the belt. Gone? Bad tension? Or it's just plain going out.
#2. Synchros... going, going, gone... My 92 Passat had the same problem the other month. Don't let this go too far.
#3. No clue. These cars are known for faulty grounds.
#4. I've been told (and read) that you can adjust the way that the sunroof seats itself. I have never done this, nor do I remember how. Hopefully one of these file people knows for you.

There's my $0.02.



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Timm '88 924S

[wakko14]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It looks like a lot of this is beyond my scope of expertise, so I'll start looking around for a mechanic. Anyone know of a good Porsche shop in the Santa Cruz area?
-Steve