1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox cars
I've driven will kick down to the lowest gear when you floor it and
allow the engine to rev up but this one doesn't do that, causing it to
bog down up steep hills running about 2200 RPM. Can anyone tell me how
the kickdown mechanism works on these cars? Under the hood is unfamiliar
to me, very cramped, more vacuum lines than I've ever seen on a car,
it's hard to see what connects to what. Is there a cable linkage or is
it all vacuum operated? Thanks to anyone who can help.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:

> A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
> lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
> around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
> to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
> transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox

so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out of
there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their transmission.




> cars
> I've driven will kick down to the lowest gear when you floor it and
> allow the engine to rev up but this one doesn't do that, causing it to
> bog down up steep hills running about 2200 RPM. Can anyone tell me how
> the kickdown mechanism works on these cars? Under the hood is unfamiliar
> to me, very cramped, more vacuum lines than I've ever seen on a car,
> it's hard to see what connects to what. Is there a cable linkage or is
> it all vacuum operated? Thanks to anyone who can help.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Nov 3, 8:56 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
> > A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
> > lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
> > around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
> > to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
> > transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>
> so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out of
> there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their transmission.

It's obvious the attitude problem is not with the OP.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

"Siskuwihane" <Siskuwihane1@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:703da12a-4710-4347-8cdf-5bc8d1fe915a@v22g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
On Nov 3, 8:56 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
> > A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
> > lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
> > around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
> > to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
> > transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>
> so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out of
> there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their transmission.

It's obvious the attitude problem is not with the OP.


LOL


I don't like messin' with the tranny adjust on my accord 88. I let my
friendly mech do it with a tool that measures the tension in some way.

Not as easy as turning a wrench anyway.

Have a quality mech look at it first.

These trannys have a way of going south fast if not hugged daily.

regards

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

jim beam wrote:
> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>
>> A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
>> lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
>> around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
>> to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
>> transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>
> so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out of
> there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their transmission.
>
>
>



I'm a very mechanically able person, I've rebuilt engines, manual and
automatic transmissions, assembled the Megasquirt engine management
system on my 240 from scratch, and have earned a reputation, quite well
deserved as the guy who can fix or fabricate anything given some time to
play with it so that is why they're letting me under the hood.

That said, I stick mostly to European cars, of which most are fuel
injected with manual gearboxes, I've never worked on a carbureted Honda
with an automatic before and I was hoping there might be something that
commonly breaks or gets out of whack on these so I don't have to take
the time to figure it all out on my own. I guess the Honda community is
not as friendly as the Volvo/Saab/BMW/VW guys, at least that's the
impression you've left at this point. If you don't want to help, fine,
just don't respond.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

W????n S. wrote:
> "Siskuwihane" <Siskuwihane1@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:703da12a-4710-4347-8cdf-5bc8d1fe915a@v22g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
> On Nov 3, 8:56 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
>> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>>> A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
>>> lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
>>> around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
>>> to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
>>> transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>> so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out of
>> there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their transmission.
>
> It's obvious the attitude problem is not with the OP.
>
>
> LOL
>
>
> I don't like messin' with the tranny adjust on my accord 88. I let my
> friendly mech do it with a tool that measures the tension in some way.
>
> Not as easy as turning a wrench anyway.
>
> Have a quality mech look at it first.
>
> These trannys have a way of going south fast if not hugged daily.
>
> regards
>
>

So I assume it is a cable connected to the throttle linkage? Does it use
engine vacuum to monitor load? My first thought was a vacuum leak
somewhere, with that rats nest of vacuum hoses it wouldn't surprise me
at all. The owner can't afford to pay a mechanic and the car is
essentially scrap if I can't fix it. Body is beat up, interior is shot,
engine runs pretty well and amazingly enough it doesn't seem to leak or
burn any appreciable amount of oil, but it's not worth putting much
money into, or a great deal of my time. If the tranny dies I'll suggest
they junk it and get a car with EFI and a manual gearbox.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

James Sweet wrote:
> jim beam wrote:
>> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>>
>>> A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
>>> lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
>>> around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
>>> to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
>>> transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>>
>> so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out
>> of there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their
>> transmission.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> I'm a very mechanically able person, I've rebuilt engines, manual and
> automatic transmissions, assembled the Megasquirt engine management
> system on my 240 from scratch, and have earned a reputation, quite well
> deserved as the guy who can fix or fabricate anything given some time to
> play with it so that is why they're letting me under the hood.
>
> That said, I stick mostly to European cars, of which most are fuel
> injected with manual gearboxes, I've never worked on a carbureted Honda
> with an automatic before and I was hoping there might be something that
> commonly breaks or gets out of whack on these so I don't have to take
> the time to figure it all out on my own. I guess the Honda community is
> not as friendly as the Volvo/Saab/BMW/VW guys, at least that's the
> impression you've left at this point. If you don't want to help, fine,
> just don't respond.


James, direct your questions to "Tegger" or "Elle" and you'll get
better results. Too many kids in this group! BTW, I had an '84 Civic
hatchback with a carb, and you're right about the incredible profusion
of vacuum hoses. I waited for fuel injection to reach the Civic before I
bought one new.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Siskuwihane wrote:
> On Nov 3, 8:56 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>>
>>>A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
>>>lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
>>>around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
>>>to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
>>>transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>>
>>so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out of
>>there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their transmission.
>
>
> It's obvious the attitude problem is not with the OP.
>



Ain't that the truth... Beam has been bullying people around here for
years. Must have a hell of a home life..

JT

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

James Sweet wrote:

> jim beam wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>>
>>> A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
>>> lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my way
>>> around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine coupled
>>> to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that the
>>> transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>>
>>
>> so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out
>> of there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their
>> transmission.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> I'm a very mechanically able person, I've rebuilt engines, manual and
> automatic transmissions, assembled the Megasquirt engine management
> system on my 240 from scratch, and have earned a reputation, quite well
> deserved as the guy who can fix or fabricate anything given some time to
> play with it so that is why they're letting me under the hood.
>
> That said, I stick mostly to European cars, of which most are fuel
> injected with manual gearboxes, I've never worked on a carbureted Honda
> with an automatic before and I was hoping there might be something that
> commonly breaks or gets out of whack on these so I don't have to take
> the time to figure it all out on my own. I guess the Honda community is
> not as friendly as the Volvo/Saab/BMW/VW guys, at least that's the
> impression you've left at this point. If you don't want to help, fine,
> just don't respond.


Best thing is to have the owner invest in a factory shop manual. Then
you could work from a qualitive resource.

Good Luck!

JT

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

>
>
> Best thing is to have the owner invest in a factory shop manual. Then
> you could work from a qualitive resource.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> JT


LOL I think the factory shop manual is probably worth more than the car
is. So far the fixes I've done have been fairly trivial, fix the belt
tensioner, patch the power steering hose, weld up a crack in the
exhaust, just drove it the first time the other day and realized that
something is definitely not right with the transmission, no wonder they
complain about the car being gutless, it never lets the engine wind up,
lugs up hills. On a Volvo automatic there's a kickdown cable connected
to the throttle spool and it's usually a simple matter of lubricating
the cable and adjusting the end where it attaches to the spool bracket
but on this I can't even see the throttle linkage without taking some
things apart. If nobody knows, I guess I'll tear into it this weekend
and see what I find.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

James Sweet <jamessweet1@trashmail.net> wrote in
news:geq5vi$fql$1@news.albasani.net:

>
>>
>>
>> Best thing is to have the owner invest in a factory shop manual. Then
>> you could work from a qualitive resource.
>>
>> Good Luck!
>>
>> JT
>
>
> LOL I think the factory shop manual is probably worth more than the car
> is. So far the fixes I've done have been fairly trivial, fix the belt
> tensioner, patch the power steering hose, weld up a crack in the
> exhaust, just drove it the first time the other day and realized that
> something is definitely not right with the transmission, no wonder they
> complain about the car being gutless, it never lets the engine wind up,
> lugs up hills. On a Volvo automatic there's a kickdown cable connected
> to the throttle spool and it's usually a simple matter of lubricating
> the cable and adjusting the end where it attaches to the spool bracket
> but on this I can't even see the throttle linkage without taking some
> things apart. If nobody knows, I guess I'll tear into it this weekend
> and see what I find.
>

using only HONDA ATF in Honda auto transmissions is important.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

>
> using only HONDA ATF in Honda auto transmissions is important.
>

I haven't touched the ATF, though who knows what someone else may have
put in there but it hasn't been messed with for at least a year and
hasn't got any worse. Doesn't appear to be leaking at all.

Still surprises me that nobody seems to know what method these
transmissions use to monitor engine load or throttle input.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Jim Yanik wrote:
> James Sweet <jamessweet1@trashmail.net> wrote in
> news:geq5vi$fql$1@news.albasani.net:
>
>
>>>
>>>Best thing is to have the owner invest in a factory shop manual. Then
>>>you could work from a qualitive resource.
>>>
>>>Good Luck!
>>>
>>>JT
>>
>>
>>LOL I think the factory shop manual is probably worth more than the car
>>is. So far the fixes I've done have been fairly trivial, fix the belt
>>tensioner, patch the power steering hose, weld up a crack in the
>>exhaust, just drove it the first time the other day and realized that
>>something is definitely not right with the transmission, no wonder they
>>complain about the car being gutless, it never lets the engine wind up,
>>lugs up hills. On a Volvo automatic there's a kickdown cable connected
>>to the throttle spool and it's usually a simple matter of lubricating
>>the cable and adjusting the end where it attaches to the spool bracket
>>but on this I can't even see the throttle linkage without taking some
>>things apart. If nobody knows, I guess I'll tear into it this weekend
>>and see what I find.
>>
>
>
> using only HONDA ATF in Honda auto transmissions is important.
>


When did this become a factor?

My old (newly acquired) '83 1500 Honda Automatics use Dextron as per the
manual and run fine.

I thought that the Honda only fluid was for late 1990's and up.

JT

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
news:Gn6Qk.112489$Mh5.107509@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

>
>
> Jim Yanik wrote:
>> James Sweet <jamessweet1@trashmail.net> wrote in
>> news:geq5vi$fql$1@news.albasani.net:
>>
>>
>>>>
>>>>Best thing is to have the owner invest in a factory shop manual. Then
>>>>you could work from a qualitive resource.
>>>>
>>>>Good Luck!
>>>>
>>>>JT
>>>
>>>
>>>LOL I think the factory shop manual is probably worth more than the car
>>>is. So far the fixes I've done have been fairly trivial, fix the belt
>>>tensioner, patch the power steering hose, weld up a crack in the
>>>exhaust, just drove it the first time the other day and realized that
>>>something is definitely not right with the transmission, no wonder they
>>>complain about the car being gutless, it never lets the engine wind up,
>>>lugs up hills. On a Volvo automatic there's a kickdown cable connected
>>>to the throttle spool and it's usually a simple matter of lubricating
>>>the cable and adjusting the end where it attaches to the spool bracket
>>>but on this I can't even see the throttle linkage without taking some
>>>things apart. If nobody knows, I guess I'll tear into it this weekend
>>>and see what I find.
>>>
>>
>>
>> using only HONDA ATF in Honda auto transmissions is important.
>>
>
>
> When did this become a factor?
>
> My old (newly acquired) '83 1500 Honda Automatics use Dextron as per the
> manual and run fine.
>
> I thought that the Honda only fluid was for late 1990's and up.
>
> JT
>

it's just what I've read in this NG in the past,not for any specific
model/year Honda.I thought a Volvo guy might not have known about it.

Me,I've never owned any auto tranny Hondas/Acuras.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:27:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:


>> using only HONDA ATF in Honda auto transmissions is important.
>>
>>
> I haven't touched the ATF, though who knows what someone else may have
> put in there but it hasn't been messed with for at least a year and
> hasn't got any worse. Doesn't appear to be leaking at all.
>
> Still surprises me that nobody seems to know what method these
> transmissions use to monitor engine load or throttle input.


you're surprised??? i'm surprised you haven't figured out the connection
between action and reaction [or lack thereof] when you want free advice on
"slushbox" adjustment - especially when you've told everyone what an
"expert" you are, and that the solution is actually /real/ freakin'
obvious if you bother to open the hood of the vehicle and look. you /did/
tell us you were an expert didn't you?

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:28:13 +0000, Grumpy AuContraire wrote:

> Siskuwihane wrote:
>> On Nov 3, 8:56 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>>>
>>>>A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a little work on
>>>>lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but I'm finding my
>>>>way around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4 cylinder engine
>>>>coupled to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is that
>>>>the transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other slushbox
>>>
>>>so what is this person doing letting you under their hood??? get out
>>>of there dude - your attitude needs more adjustment than their
>>>transmission.
>>
>>
>> It's obvious the attitude problem is not with the OP.
>>
>>
>
>
> Ain't that the truth... Beam has been bullying people around here for
> years.

translation: "he has the temerity to point out when people are
bullshitting". such a dreadful crime.



> Must have a hell of a home life..

sure do!

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

>
> you're surprised??? i'm surprised you haven't figured out the connection
> between action and reaction [or lack thereof] when you want free advice on
> "slushbox" adjustment - especially when you've told everyone what an
> "expert" you are, and that the solution is actually /real/ freakin'
> obvious if you bother to open the hood of the vehicle and look. you /did/
> tell us you were an expert didn't you?
>
>

Um, yeah, I don't have the car in front of me, and I haven't finished
building my crystal ball. Kinda hard to open the hood and look from 20
miles away but if you figure out a way let us know. I'll be out there
this weekend so I'll figure it out then.

As for free advice, if you surf on over to sci.electronics.repair,
alt.lasers, alt.autos.volvo, rec.games.video.arcade.collecting,
neonixie-l, or a number of other groups, you'll find that I've been
giving out lots of free advice for the last decade or so. Drop my name
in any one of those communities and plenty will have good things to say.

Congrats for making it to the next spot in the killfile, so many things
change as time passes, but usenet trolls appear to be one of those
constants.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Leftie <No@Thanks.net> wrote in news:XlMPk.16054$7o4.9244@newsfe01.iad:


>
>
> James, direct your questions to "Tegger" or "Elle" and you'll get
> better results.



If I knew much about Honda automatics I'd reply to this thread. But I
don't, so I can't. Sad but true.

Other than my old '76 Coronet's TorqueFlite and our '99 Tercel's A242,
automatics are a bit of a foreign thing for me.




> Too many kids in this group! BTW, I had an '84 Civic
> hatchback with a carb, and you're right about the incredible profusion
> of vacuum hoses. I waited for fuel injection to reach the Civic before
> I bought one new.



Carbs and restrictive emissions controls meant severe profusion and
confusion in the engine compartment.

If you think the PGM-CARB '89 Accord was bad, you should have seen the 1982
California-market Toyota Corolla. That engine bay was fit for an Italian
wedding, so long as the invitees liked black spaghetti...



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in news:Xns9B4CB33FA7770jyanikkuanet@
74.209.136.85:

> James Sweet <jamessweet1@trashmail.net> wrote in
> news:geq5vi$fql$1@news.albasani.net:
>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best thing is to have the owner invest in a factory shop manual. Then
>>> you could work from a qualitive resource.
>>>
>>> Good Luck!
>>>
>>> JT
>>
>>
>> LOL I think the factory shop manual is probably worth more than the car
>> is. So far the fixes I've done have been fairly trivial, fix the belt
>> tensioner, patch the power steering hose, weld up a crack in the
>> exhaust, just drove it the first time the other day and realized that
>> something is definitely not right with the transmission, no wonder they
>> complain about the car being gutless, it never lets the engine wind up,
>> lugs up hills. On a Volvo automatic there's a kickdown cable connected
>> to the throttle spool and it's usually a simple matter of lubricating
>> the cable and adjusting the end where it attaches to the spool bracket
>> but on this I can't even see the throttle linkage without taking some
>> things apart. If nobody knows, I guess I'll tear into it this weekend
>> and see what I find.
>>
>
> using only HONDA ATF in Honda auto transmissions is important.
>


That wasn't true in 1989. Those trannies were OK with Dexron-II.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On 2008-11-08, Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
> Other than my old '76 Coronet's TorqueFlite and our '99 Tercel's A242,
> automatics are a bit of a foreign thing for me.

They don't have auto transmissions up in Canada yet? ;-)


--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Joe <joe@no-spam.hits-nospam-buffalo.com> wrote in
news:slrngha1sk.2a0.joe@barada.griffincs.local:

> On 2008-11-08, Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>> Other than my old '76 Coronet's TorqueFlite and our '99 Tercel's A242,
>> automatics are a bit of a foreign thing for me.
>
> They don't have auto transmissions up in Canada yet? ;-)
>
>


Sure we do, just like in the US. I just happen not to like
driving cars so equipped.

Automatics have this bad habit of changing gear all by themselves,
which drives me nuts.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:46:56 -0800, James Sweet wrote:


>> you're surprised??? i'm surprised you haven't figured out the
>> connection between action and reaction [or lack thereof] when you want
>> free advice on "slushbox" adjustment - especially when you've told
>> everyone what an "expert" you are, and that the solution is actually
>> /real/ freakin' obvious if you bother to open the hood of the vehicle
>> and look. you /did/ tell us you were an expert didn't you?
>>
>>
>>
> Um, yeah, I don't have the car in front of me, and I haven't finished
> building my crystal ball. Kinda hard to open the hood and look from 20
> miles away but if you figure out a way let us know. I'll be out there
> this weekend so I'll figure it out then.

go ahead! you didn't last time!



>
> As for free advice, if you surf on over to sci.electronics.repair,
> alt.lasers, alt.autos.volvo, rec.games.video.arcade.collecting,
> neonixie-l, or a number of other groups, you'll find that I've been
> giving out lots of free advice for the last decade or so. Drop my name
> in any one of those communities and plenty will have good things to say.
>
> Congrats for making it to the next spot in the killfile, so many things
> change as time passes, but usenet trolls appear to be one of those
> constants.


leave me out of the equation buddy - where is everybody else rushing to
prostrate themselves before your giant organ and "help" you? or are you
still having problems connection the dots on that? [clue: 5 days of
listening to crickets chirp means something's up. and it's not my lack of
response...]

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:47:13 +0000, Tegger wrote:

> Joe <joe@no-spam.hits-nospam-buffalo.com> wrote in
> news:slrngha1sk.2a0.joe@barada.griffincs.local:
>
>> On 2008-11-08, Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>>> Other than my old '76 Coronet's TorqueFlite and our '99 Tercel's A242,
>>> automatics are a bit of a foreign thing for me.
>>
>> They don't have auto transmissions up in Canada yet? ;-)
>>
>>
>>
>
> Sure we do, just like in the US. I just happen not to like driving cars
> so equipped.
>
> Automatics have this bad habit of changing gear all by themselves, which
> drives me nuts.


you don't live in a city with stop-go traffic then. when i was small
town, sticks were great. then i moved to the smoke and all the constant
clutching, braking, shifting, moving 5 yards, repeat, routine drove /me/
nuts. or at least, i learned it did after i used an auto for a week and
realized i was getting home all relaxed, not frazzled. call me an old
fart, but i've been a die-hard auto fan ever since.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Tegger wrote:
> Joe <joe@no-spam.hits-nospam-buffalo.com> wrote in
> news:slrngha1sk.2a0.joe@barada.griffincs.local:
>
>> On 2008-11-08, Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>>> Other than my old '76 Coronet's TorqueFlite and our '99 Tercel's A242,
>>> automatics are a bit of a foreign thing for me.
>> They don't have auto transmissions up in Canada yet? ;-)
>>
>>
>
>
> Sure we do, just like in the US. I just happen not to like
> driving cars so equipped.
>
> Automatics have this bad habit of changing gear all by themselves,
> which drives me nuts.
>
>

Agreed, the only time I ever mess with automatics is when I get suckered
into fixing someone else's car as happened in this case.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

jim beam <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in news:M-
ednWnGV8KIiojUnZ2dnUVZ_jadnZ2d@speakeasy.net:

> On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:47:13 +0000, Tegger wrote:
>
>> Joe <joe@no-spam.hits-nospam-buffalo.com> wrote in
>> news:slrngha1sk.2a0.joe@barada.griffincs.local:
>>
>>> On 2008-11-08, Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>>>> Other than my old '76 Coronet's TorqueFlite and our '99 Tercel's A242,
>>>> automatics are a bit of a foreign thing for me.
>>>
>>> They don't have auto transmissions up in Canada yet? ;-)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Sure we do, just like in the US. I just happen not to like driving cars
>> so equipped.
>>
>> Automatics have this bad habit of changing gear all by themselves, which
>> drives me nuts.
>
>
> you don't live in a city with stop-go traffic then.



No, I don't. But I've been stuck in extended stop-and-go highway jams
enough to understand how some people would get tired of sticks.



> when i was small
> town, sticks were great. then i moved to the smoke and all the constant
> clutching, braking, shifting, moving 5 yards, repeat, routine drove /me/
> nuts.



Doesn't bother me in the least, actually.



> or at least, i learned it did after i used an auto for a week and
> realized i was getting home all relaxed, not frazzled. call me an old
> fart, but i've been a die-hard auto fan ever since.
>


My wife hates manual transmissions and refuses to drive them. To each his
own.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

"Leftie" <No@Thanks.net> wrote in message
news:XlMPk.16054$7o4.9244@newsfe01.iad...
> James Sweet wrote:
>> jim beam wrote:
>>> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>>>
>>>> A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a
>>>> little work on
>>>> lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but
>>>> I'm finding my way
>>>> around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4
>>>> cylinder engine coupled
>>>> to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is
>>>> that the
>>>> transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other
>>>> slushbox
snip
>> I'm a very mechanically able person, I've rebuilt
>> engines, manual and automatic transmissions, assembled
>> the Megasquirt engine management system on my 240 from
>> scratch, and have earned a reputation, quite well
>> deserved as the guy who can fix or fabricate anything
>> given some time to play with it so that is why they're
>> letting me under the hood.
>>
>> That said, I stick mostly to European cars, of which most
>> are fuel injected with manual gearboxes, I've never
>> worked on a carbureted Honda with an automatic before and
>> I was hoping there might be something that commonly
>> breaks or gets out of whack on these so I don't have to
>> take the time to figure it all out on my own. I guess the
>> Honda community is not as friendly as the
>> Volvo/Saab/BMW/VW guys, at least that's the impression
>> you've left at this point. If you don't want to help,
>> fine, just don't respond.

Indeed

> James, direct your questions to "Tegger" or "Elle" and
> you'll get better results. Too many kids in this group!
> BTW, I had an '84 Civic hatchback with a carb, and you're
> right about the incredible profusion of vacuum hoses. I
> waited for fuel injection to reach the Civic before I
> bought one new.

Since you have actually owned a carbureted Honda, I think
you are way more qualified to respond. :-) Shucks I would
just send the guy to honda-tech.com , which has increasingly
been a resource to me for hard-to-solve problems.

On bad behavior: I do think it unethical to sit on the
sidelines when others are trying to tamp down conduct not
helpful to the group. Mr. Beam, as a matter of science, when
one is communicating, studies show that the tenor and tone
wrapped around a message make a bigger impression on the
reader/listener than the message itself. This is per Albert
Mehrabian's much cited 1981 paper. If one wishes to be an
effective communicator, I think this is interesting.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Nov 7, 9:46 pm, James Sweet <jamesswe...@trashmail.net> wrote:
> > you're surprised??? i'm surprised you haven't figured out the connection
> > between action and reaction [or lack thereof] when you want free adviceon
> > "slushbox" adjustment - especially when you've told everyone what an
> > "expert" you are, and that the solution is actually /real/ freakin'
> > obvious if you bother to open the hood of the vehicle and look. you /did/
> > tell us you were an expert didn't you?
>
> Um, yeah, I don't have the car in front of me, and I haven't finished
> building my crystal ball. Kinda hard to open the hood and look from 20
> miles away but if you figure out a way let us know. I'll be out there
> this weekend so I'll figure it out then.


My crystal ball told me jim beam would mention "free advice" and be an
ass, not necessarily
in that order.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:41:35 -0800, Siskuwihane wrote:

> On Nov 7, 9:46 pm, James Sweet <jamesswe...@trashmail.net> wrote:
>> > you're surprised??? i'm surprised you haven't figured out the
>> > connection between action and reaction [or lack thereof] when you
>> > want free advice on "slushbox" adjustment - especially when you've
>> > told everyone what an "expert" you are, and that the solution is
>> > actually /real/ freakin' obvious if you bother to open the hood of
>> > the vehicle and look. you /did/ tell us you were an expert didn't
>> > you?
>>
>> Um, yeah, I don't have the car in front of me, and I haven't finished
>> building my crystal ball. Kinda hard to open the hood and look from 20
>> miles away but if you figure out a way let us know. I'll be out there
>> this weekend so I'll figure it out then.
>
>
> My crystal ball told me jim beam would mention "free advice" and be an
> ass, not necessarily
> in that order.


can you use your crystal ball answer the question? or are you simply here
for the vacuous know-nothing say-nothing simply-wasting-electrons contest?

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Nov 8, 2:04 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
> On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:41:35 -0800, Siskuwihane wrote:
> > On Nov 7, 9:46 pm, James Sweet <jamesswe...@trashmail.net> wrote:
> >> > you're surprised??? i'm surprised you haven't figured out the
> >> > connection between action and reaction [or lack thereof] when you
> >> > want free advice on "slushbox" adjustment - especially when you've
> >> > told everyone what an "expert" you are, and that the solution is
> >> > actually /real/ freakin' obvious if you bother to open the hood of
> >> > the vehicle and look. you /did/ tell us you were an expert didn't
> >> > you?
>
> >> Um, yeah, I don't have the car in front of me, and I haven't finished
> >> building my crystal ball. Kinda hard to open the hood and look from 20
> >> miles away but if you figure out a way let us know. I'll be out there
> >> this weekend so I'll figure it out then.
>
> > My crystal ball told me jim beam would mention "free advice" and be an
> > ass, not necessarily
> > in that order.
>
> can you use your crystal ball answer the question? or are you simply here
> for the vacuous know-nothing say-nothing simply-wasting-electrons contest?- Hide quoted text -

I'm here because I chose to be.

I may shove a crystal ball up your "free expert advice" ass though.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:36:42 -0800, Siskuwihane wrote:

> On Nov 8, 2:04 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
>> On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:41:35 -0800, Siskuwihane wrote:
>> > On Nov 7, 9:46 pm, James Sweet <jamesswe...@trashmail.net> wrote:
>> >> > you're surprised??? i'm surprised you haven't figured out the
>> >> > connection between action and reaction [or lack thereof] when you
>> >> > want free advice on "slushbox" adjustment - especially when you've
>> >> > told everyone what an "expert" you are, and that the solution is
>> >> > actually /real/ freakin' obvious if you bother to open the hood of
>> >> > the vehicle and look. you /did/ tell us you were an expert didn't
>> >> > you?
>>
>> >> Um, yeah, I don't have the car in front of me, and I haven't
>> >> finished building my crystal ball. Kinda hard to open the hood and
>> >> look from 20 miles away but if you figure out a way let us know.
>> >> I'll be out there this weekend so I'll figure it out then.
>>
>> > My crystal ball told me jim beam would mention "free advice" and be
>> > an ass, not necessarily
>> > in that order.
>>
>> can you use your crystal ball answer the question? or are you simply
>> here for the vacuous know-nothing say-nothing simply-wasting-electrons
>> contest?- Hide quoted text -
>
> I'm here because I chose to be.
>
> I may shove a crystal ball up your "free expert advice" ass though.


oh baybee, you make so hot! come on, pull it out and let's measure up...

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Elle wrote:
> "Leftie" <No@Thanks.net> wrote in message
> news:XlMPk.16054$7o4.9244@newsfe01.iad...
>> James Sweet wrote:
>>> jim beam wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:26:48 -0800, James Sweet wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> A friend of mine has a 1989 Accord that I've done a
>>>>> little work on
>>>>> lately. My familiarity is with 80s Volvos mostly but
>>>>> I'm finding my way
>>>>> around this thing. Anyway, it has a carbureted 4
>>>>> cylinder engine coupled
>>>>> to an automatic transmission. The problem I'm seeing is
>>>>> that the
>>>>> transmission doesn't seem to downshift properly. Other
>>>>> slushbox
> snip
>>> I'm a very mechanically able person, I've rebuilt
>>> engines, manual and automatic transmissions, assembled
>>> the Megasquirt engine management system on my 240 from
>>> scratch, and have earned a reputation, quite well
>>> deserved as the guy who can fix or fabricate anything
>>> given some time to play with it so that is why they're
>>> letting me under the hood.
>>>
>>> That said, I stick mostly to European cars, of which most
>>> are fuel injected with manual gearboxes, I've never
>>> worked on a carbureted Honda with an automatic before and
>>> I was hoping there might be something that commonly
>>> breaks or gets out of whack on these so I don't have to
>>> take the time to figure it all out on my own. I guess the
>>> Honda community is not as friendly as the
>>> Volvo/Saab/BMW/VW guys, at least that's the impression
>>> you've left at this point. If you don't want to help,
>>> fine, just don't respond.
>
> Indeed
>
>> James, direct your questions to "Tegger" or "Elle" and
>> you'll get better results. Too many kids in this group!
>> BTW, I had an '84 Civic hatchback with a carb, and you're
>> right about the incredible profusion of vacuum hoses. I
>> waited for fuel injection to reach the Civic before I
>> bought one new.
>
> Since you have actually owned a carbureted Honda, I think
> you are way more qualified to respond. :-) Shucks I would
> just send the guy to honda-tech.com , which has increasingly
> been a resource to me for hard-to-solve problems.
>
> On bad behavior: I do think it unethical to sit on the
> sidelines when others are trying to tamp down conduct not
> helpful to the group. Mr. Beam, as a matter of science, when
> one is communicating, studies show that the tenor and tone
> wrapped around a message make a bigger impression on the
> reader/listener than the message itself. This is per Albert
> Mehrabian's much cited 1981 paper. If one wishes to be an
> effective communicator, I think this is interesting.
>
>

Thanks for weighing in on the side of civility, Elle. As for my
'expertise' in this matter, my car was both a Civic and a standard - a
four speed at that. Not to mention the fact that it was a 'Winter Rat'
that never got put on the road because of a burned valve. My father had
assured me it would be no problem to replace, but when I wanted to
actually pull the head, he looked at those hoses (I swear that some of
them just connected to each other in a roundabout manner) and remembered
a pressing appointment elsewhere. ;-)

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

"Leftie" <No@Thanks.net> wrote
> As for my 'expertise' in this matter, my car was both a
> Civic and a standard - a four speed at that. Not to
> mention the fact that it was a 'Winter Rat' that never got
> put on the road because of a burned valve. My father had
> assured me it would be no problem to replace, but when I
> wanted to actually pull the head, he looked at those hoses
> (I swear that some of them just connected to each other in
> a roundabout manner) and remembered a pressing appointment
> elsewhere. ;-)

Ha! With due respect to JT (Grumpy Au Contraire, who fixed
up and drives a c. 1983 carb'd Civic, I think mostly to
chuckle at the rest of us ;-) ), chalk one up for the
relative simplicity and reliability of fuel injection.

To the OP: www.honda-tech.com is free and is best searched
using Yahoo's search engine, restricting the search to the
honda-tech.com site. Or post a new query under the correct
forum of honda-tech.com. Lots of young fellows post there
(speaking a language that, uh, I am not hip on, but mostly
clean, I think... ) doing all sort of convoluted (read: way
over my head and/or just danged crazy and sometimes I think
somewhat reckless) engine and tranny swaps, but it has
plenty of expertise, too.

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

James Sweet wrote:

> Tegger wrote:
>
>> Joe <joe@no-spam.hits-nospam-buffalo.com> wrote in
>> news:slrngha1sk.2a0.joe@barada.griffincs.local:
>>
>>> On 2008-11-08, Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Other than my old '76 Coronet's TorqueFlite and our '99 Tercel's
>>>> A242, automatics are a bit of a foreign thing for me.
>>>
>>> They don't have auto transmissions up in Canada yet? ;-)
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> Sure we do, just like in the US. I just happen not to like
>> driving cars so equipped.
>>
>> Automatics have this bad habit of changing gear all by themselves,
>> which drives me nuts.
>>
>>
>
> Agreed, the only time I ever mess with automatics is when I get suckered
> into fixing someone else's car as happened in this case.


When you get old(er) and drive frequently in urban areas, you really get
to appreciate an automatic.

I just acquired three more $100 early '80's Civic hatchbacks of which
two are automatics. Both drive trains are in good shape but one body has
a few dents including the rear bumper so it will serve as spare parts.
Highest mileage on any of the three is 134K (miles).

Besides, the hard parts rebuild kit for that era automatic is under $100
and the converter can actually be disassembled if necessary. Another
bright spot, is has a serviceable filter assy etc.

I love the old days of simplicity...

JT

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Elle wrote:


snip



>
> On bad behavior: I do think it unethical to sit on the
> sidelines when others are trying to tamp down conduct not
> helpful to the group. Mr. Beam, as a matter of science, when
> one is communicating, studies show that the tenor and tone
> wrapped around a message make a bigger impression on the
> reader/listener than the message itself. This is per Albert
> Mehrabian's much cited 1981 paper. If one wishes to be an
> effective communicator, I think this is interesting.
>
>


Well quoted Elle.

JT

Re: 1989 accord auto trans kickdown
 

Elle wrote:

> "Leftie" <No@Thanks.net> wrote
>
>>As for my 'expertise' in this matter, my car was both a
>>Civic and a standard - a four speed at that. Not to
>>mention the fact that it was a 'Winter Rat' that never got
>>put on the road because of a burned valve. My father had
>>assured me it would be no problem to replace, but when I
>>wanted to actually pull the head, he looked at those hoses
>>(I swear that some of them just connected to each other in
>>a roundabout manner) and remembered a pressing appointment
>>elsewhere. ;-)
>
>
> Ha! With due respect to JT (Grumpy Au Contraire, who fixed
> up and drives a c. 1983 carb'd Civic, I think mostly to
> chuckle at the rest of us ;-) ), chalk one up for the
> relative simplicity and reliability of fuel injection.
>
> To the OP: www.honda-tech.com is free and is best searched
> using Yahoo's search engine, restricting the search to the
> honda-tech.com site. Or post a new query under the correct
> forum of honda-tech.com. Lots of young fellows post there
> (speaking a language that, uh, I am not hip on, but mostly
> clean, I think... ) doing all sort of convoluted (read: way
> over my head and/or just danged crazy and sometimes I think
> somewhat reckless) engine and tranny swaps, but it has
> plenty of expertise, too.
>
>


I will readily admit to the reliability of fuel injection although I do
see numerous injector problems here.

While the old CVCC carbs scare a lot of people, they are relatively
simple and also reliable. The best part, there is no freakin' expensive
'puter in these gen 2 Civics. No "check engine" light. No crank case
ventilation valve, no oxygen sensor.

And, all them thar vacuum lines... If you remove the head, all the
vacuum system control boxes simply unplug and come off with it.

Excellent industrial engineering on Honda's part!

Best part is that parts are cheap and readily available...

Regards,

JT

(Who believes that 'puters belong on one's lap or on a desk)