Bought a Cheap Accord

[JoeDirt41]

Today I made a deal on a 1997 Honda Accord EX for very cheap. It currently does not run, and I had to tow it home, but it supposedly has a no-spark condition due to a bad coil or bad ICM. I'll have to confirm that, but I suspect it is the case. The car apparently sat for several years in a garage while one of its previous owners was incarcerated (yes, you read that correctly), and has not been on the road since. It appears to have had a quick and dirty paint job at some point, but it looks fine from a few feet. The original color was actually dark green. I wouldn't doubt there is some body work under that paint, but for the most part the car looks straight and relatively solid. The interior isn't trashed and doesn't have any odors.

It is an EX, so it has the 2.2 VTEC motor. It is an automatic unfortunately, but beggars can't be choosers. For now I plan to get it running, clean it, probably try to return it to a stock appearance as much as I can, and do the tune up and maintenance items on it. The distributor for this car looks pretty expensive. Anyone know if there are any interchangeable ones? Or have a spare laying around they care to part with?

 

[TheLastWord]

Buy a FSM

 

[dishdude]

I haven't seen that generation Accord for a long time.

 

[TheLastWord]

Buy a FSM

Hondas are very well written and comprehensive.

Scanner?

 

[Nukeman7]

Today I made a deal on a 1997 Honda Accord EX for very cheap. It currently does not run, and I had to tow it home, but it supposedly has a no-spark condition due to a bad coil or bad ICM. I'll have to confirm that, but I suspect it is the case. The car apparently sat for several years in a garage while one of its previous owners was incarcerated (yes, you read that correctly), and has not been on the road since. It appears to have had a quick and dirty paint job at some point, but it looks fine from a few feet. The original color was actually dark green. I wouldn't doubt there is some body work under that paint, but for the most part the car looks straight and relatively solid. The interior isn't trashed and doesn't have any odors.

It is an EX, so it has the 2.2 VTEC motor. It is an automatic unfortunately, but beggars can't be choosers. For now I plan to get it running, clean it, probably try to return it to a stock appearance as much as I can, and do the tune up and maintenance items on it. The distributor for this car looks pretty expensive. Anyone know if there are any interchangeable ones? Or have a spare laying around they care to part with?

I have never seen a Honda 2.2 VTEC with a bad coil; however, it is a well known problem that the ICM frequently goes bad in the distributor with age. I suggest that you invest a paltry $15 on a new ICM before spending a lot of effort chasing the no-spark condition. Be sure to take a photo of the position of the 4 wires before disconnecting them from the module. Also, look closely at the insulation on the wires. Heat and time will cause the vinyl to crumble due to embrittlement. You probably don't need a new distributor since the only things that fail are the ICM, wire insulation, and o-ring.

 

[daves87rs]

Still like those old ones…

 

[researcher]

I've had a 96 Civic and yes @Nukeman7 is 100% correct. Try the ICM first, before getting some junk aftermarket distributor. I went through 3 aftermarket distributors on my 96 until I got one that worked correctly. On mine the 3 sensors are built into the housing, I replaced the coil and ICM on mine and it worked perfectly until it was totaled in an accident.

And the cheap ICMs are just that CHEAP.. Hopefully you get a good one. Not trying to make you spend lots of money but I bought the cheap ICMs before and it left me on the side of the road, dead..

I see it's an EX? That had the Hitachi distributor not the TEC brand so watch for getting the Hitachi ICM. It's very similar to my 96 Civic.. that's how I know.

 

[researcher]

Hondas are very well written and comprehensive.

Scanner?

and for a 97 Accord I bet it's free to download online.. my 96 Civic was, something like 1400+ pages, wow..

 

[TheLastWord]

Good advice from researcher. ^^^
Don't just buy any part for a 1997 Accord. The VIN is very important. Accords and Hondas in general depend on the the country made. Japan made and USA made can be quite different. Just bought a 2007 Civic radiator hose , from a Honda dealer, for Japan made car. Totally different from USA made. Parts guy was flabbergasted.

 

[researcher]

did a quick search, lots of fake sites wanting $$$ but found scribd.com I think they're legit..

94-97 Accord Electrical service manual
link to scribd.com's electrical service manual


oh look what they had!! awesome!! 94-97 Honda Accord service manual 1379 pages, yup that's the real one
link to entire service manual on scribd.com

when I tried to link it directly, it displayed the entire 1379 pages here on this site! um.. mods might not like that, lol

to download the entire pdf they want you to join scribd.com but at the very least, can scroll through the website version and print the pages you need!

 

[Nukeman7]

I've had a 96 Civic and yes @Nukeman7 is 100% correct. Try the ICM first, before getting some junk aftermarket distributor. I went through 3 aftermarket distributors on my 96 until I got one that worked correctly. On mine the 3 sensors are built into the housing, I replaced the coil and ICM on mine and it worked perfectly until it was totaled in an accident.

And the cheap ICMs are just that CHEAP.. Hopefully you get a good one. Not trying to make you spend lots of money but I bought the cheap ICMs before and it left me on the side of the road, dead..

I see it's an EX? That had the Hitachi distributor not the TEC brand so watch for getting the Hitachi ICM. It's very similar to my 96 Civic.. that's how I know.

Good advice from researcher. ^^^
Don't just buy any part for a 1997 Accord. The VIN is very important. Accords and Hondas in general depend on the the country made. Japan made and USA made can be quite different. Just bought a 2007 Civic radiator hose , from a Honda dealer, for Japan made car. Totally different from USA made. Parts guy was flabbergasted.

On a 5th Generation Accord, the igniter module is the same for the Hitachi and TEC distributors. The Hitachi distributor came with Hitachi branded igniters while the TEC distributor had NEC manufactured igniters. The $15 igniter I posted above should fit either distributor, but I believe the coils are slightly different.

If you determine that it does have spark, but still does not start, I would suggest looking at the Main Relay under the driver's side dash. Those relays have the notorious cold solder joint issue which will disable the fuel pump.

 

[fantastic]

Keep at it & you'll work through it. How many miles on it?

 

[zzyzzx]

I would pass on any used vehicle with aftermarket rims and heavily tinted windows.

 

[supton]

I would pass on any used vehicle with aftermarket rims and heavily tinted windows.

Not clear on region, can't tell, maybe PA plate? down south I'd think heavy tint was normal.

Rotors look pretty rusty (at last, a good use for aftermarket rims). Once running I suspect it needs rotors and pads (drums out back?). Trivial though. Sitting for a few years? tires are probably due too. Timing belt motor?

No crazy amount of work though. Check TB first, make sure it's not badly cracked--if it looks sketchy, I'd be worried about if this was an interference motor. Otherwise, first step, make it run.

Sounds like a fun project with plenty of potential. Good luck.

 

[Nukeman7]

Not clear on region, can't tell, maybe PA plate? down south I'd think heavy tint was normal.

Rotors look pretty rusty (at last, a good use for aftermarket rims). Once running I suspect it needs rotors and pads (drums out back?).

The EX trim Accord has four wheel disc brakes, not drums.

Trivial though. Sitting for a few years? tires are probably due too. Timing belt motor?

No crazy amount of work though. Check TB first, make sure it's not badly cracked--if it looks sketchy, I'd be worried about if this was an interference motor. Otherwise, first step, make it run.

Sounds like a fun project with plenty of potential. Good luck.

Yes, it is indeed a timing belt motor that is an interference engine. Good advice on checking/changing the timing belt, water pump, TB tensioner & idler pulleys.

Various parts for this generation of Honda Accords should be plentiful in the Pick and Pull type salvage yards.

 

[Urshurak776]

KBB value on this car is like $1000? Maybe? It will take quite a bit to really make this car reliable. Timing belt, water pump, tensioner, etc. Not to mention what may be required to just get it started. Maintenance history?

Each to his/her own, but unless you just love these cars and or sentimental value, not sure it would be worth the money?

 

[JoeDirt41]

On a 5th Generation Accord, the igniter module is the same for the Hitachi and TEC distributors. The Hitachi distributor came with Hitachi branded igniters while the TEC distributor had NEC manufactured igniters. The $15 igniter I posted above should fit either distributor, but I believe the coils are slightly different.

If you determine that it does have spark, but still does not start, I would suggest looking at the Main Relay under the driver's side dash. Those relays have the notorious cold solder joint issue which will disable the fuel pump.

Good to know. I believe the TEC distributor uses an external coil while the Hitachi is internal.

I would pass on any used vehicle with aftermarket rims and heavily tinted windows.

I'm not thrilled with either of those items but they're easy enough to get rid of and for what the car cost, I wasn't too worried.

Not clear on region, can't tell, maybe PA plate? down south I'd think heavy tint was normal.

Rotors look pretty rusty (at last, a good use for aftermarket rims). Once running I suspect it needs rotors and pads (drums out back?). Trivial though. Sitting for a few years? tires are probably due too. Timing belt motor?

No crazy amount of work though. Check TB first, make sure it's not badly cracked--if it looks sketchy, I'd be worried about if this was an interference motor. Otherwise, first step, make it run.

Sounds like a fun project with plenty of potential. Good luck.

Pennsylvania. The tint isn't that dark, maybe 20%. Either way, I'm likely going to remove it. The rotors are a little rusty, but they might work for the time being. It has 4 wheel discs. I'm gonna look for a set of factory wheels and tires.

I'll check the timing belt. No real maintenance history with this car, so no idea if it was ever done.

 

[supton]

KBB value on this car is like $1000? Maybe? It will take quite a bit to really make this car reliable. Timing belt, water pump, tensioner, etc. Not to mention what may be required to just get it started. Maintenance history?

Each to his/her own, but unless you just love these cars and or sentimental value, not sure it would be wrth the money?

True, but, I want to say these are easy to work on, and with cheap parts.

Every used car is a gamble, but if one keeps costs low going in, and costs low the whole time, they might get ahead. Yes, there is a gamble that one might drop a kilobuck to buy, times two more to fix up--and then wreck the following week and be out all the money. The odds of that are low, and not any worse than buying a brand new car (or gently used one) and having the same thing happen. In the latter case insurance might make cover the cost and you'd be out zero--but in order to have that assurance, you pay for it dearly (high depreciation, high insurance, high registration).

Life's a gamble.

 

[Bill7]

Today I made a deal on a 1997 Honda Accord EX for very cheap. It currently does not run, and I had to tow it home, but it supposedly has a no-spark condition due to a bad coil or bad ICM. I'll have to confirm that, but I suspect it is the case. The car apparently sat for several years in a garage while one of its previous owners was incarcerated (yes, you read that correctly), and has not been on the road since. It appears to have had a quick and dirty paint job at some point, but it looks fine from a few feet. The original color was actually dark green. I wouldn't doubt there is some body work under that paint, but for the most part the car looks straight and relatively solid. The interior isn't trashed and doesn't have any odors.

It is an EX, so it has the 2.2 VTEC motor. It is an automatic unfortunately, but beggars can't be choosers. For now I plan to get it running, clean it, probably try to return it to a stock appearance as much as I can, and do the tune up and maintenance items on it. The distributor for this car looks pretty expensive. Anyone know if there are any interchangeable ones? Or have a spare laying around they care to part with?
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I used to own a 1997 Honda Accord EX (Maroon color). I sold it about 3 years ago. I was still able to get most parts for it from the Honda dealer. Honda really supports their older models with parts availability.

I liked the sporty look of the speedometer cluster with the round gauges and dashboard in those.
That car was the most exciting and most nimble car I've ever driven. Definately the most fun per mile.

They can be had for very cheap ($1500 or less) on the used car market. It's nice to find one with low mileage (Close to 100k).

Good luck with it.

 

[kschachn]

The availability of OEM parts has declined pretty quickly in the past 3-5 years. Before that you could get most anything, now it is much more limited.

Having said that the distributor body is still available but as a high price as you note. On my 1996 Accord when the distributor was leaking oil I replaced the internal shaft seal myself and then found the bearing was going bad as well. Only Chinese bearings are still available but they seem fine and have been working since. You have to be careful that you get the correct bearing with the proper ID - there are other more common bearings out there that have the same marking but they have a different internal diameter and will not fit on the shaft. If you are buying an aftermarket you have to make sure it is an OBDII model. I have a spare TYC distributor and it looks pretty good, but who knows how long it would last in service.

Lots of aftermarket parts available but on the other hand there are some key parts which commonly wear out which are neither available from Honda nor as aftermarket. For these you have to go to the junkyard and hope you can find a serviceable part for replacement.

My daughter drove this car for years, beginning in high school and all through undergraduate and two graduate degrees. This spanned the continent from California to the east coast. I have it back now after 320,000 miles and as soon as I get done repairing a few items it will be used until it dies.