[invalidcomfort]

I spent forever thinking up a topic. I would've posted some before this, but I have absolutely no experince when it comes to cars.

'Tis why the 'Noob of the Year' award goes to me:

I bought a 1988 CRX DX 5-speed monday night. I was really stupid, and payed way more than reasonable. I'm absolutely cashed out for the next month or so because of this car. I don't care though, I own a CRX now. (Dances some more)

I'm still not exactly sure what the specs are in the car, I've had a hard problem finding any actual information on the web, this forum has been immensly helpful so far. Many people don't have my newb problems though.

Not only did I pay WAY too much for a project car, I am missing three essential things. [1] Tools [2] Knowledge [3] Boo-kus of monies.

So I pray that someone here helps me out, alot. There is alot of things wrong with this car. I have taken pictures and such, but I won't post them just yet. I need to go through and highlight the things that I have questions about. That's essentially everything.

It would really help if there was a rexxer here in orlando who would take poor me under the wing.

I bought this CRX as a learning tool. All work will be done by myself, and anyone who volunteers to help me in this long journey. Eventually I'll map out a plan to tackle this baby. Just need help figuring the order of priority.

I plan to do a basic tune up [oil change, install missing air filter, new plugs, wires, fuel filter] ASAP, money pending. So with that info, onto the problems! *breaths deep*

Major problems:

• Speedo doesn't work. Nor does the odometer. I'm just kinda guessing how fast I'm going based on the tach and traffic. Smart, right?[/*]
• No Center console. No climate control, no radio, no nothing. I see the wires underneath the dash though. Extremem Double negatives![/*]
• My baby idles weird. I'm not sure what CRX's normal idle RPMs are. She idles roughly at 1.5k. Even weirder, sometimes when I put it in neutral to cost to a red light, the revs JUMP to 4.5k, right past the fuel cut-off that had wormed itself at 4.7k. I'm not even sure if there is supposed to be a cut-off. My newbiness has me thinking the ECU may need to be re-mapped[reset?].[/*]

There are more minor problems here on my yellow pad with all my notes, but I don't want to bore everyone too soon! I'll post pictures as soon as I can figure out where to hose and how to reply with them. They paints a better picture of the car.

As of right now, I am unaware of any oil leaks, as the oil in the engine right now is dirty. Normally this is a good indication that they're arn't any.
I'm approximating it has about 200k miles on it. The odometer has 179k miles on it, but I don't know how long ago it stopped working or was disconnected.

I think you for reading through this, now hopefully you'll reply .

`Johnathon "The recipient of the noob of the year award"

 

[Krix]

well first off welcome.

your idle could be a number of things. it sounds to me like a vacuum problem. I had the same problem in my car when a line came off. Idled at almost 5k :shock:

your speedo cable either not in the trans or not in the back of the cluster all the way. Its a mechanical speedo and odometer. pretty easy fix. you can pull the gauge cluster cover off and unscrew the gauge cluster. look on the back to the speedo and see if the cable is in all the way. If it is than its probably not seated in the trans properly.

As for missing parts you can probably pick most of them up in a pick n pull for cheap. The climate controls are notorius for breaking in the crx's. if you can find one that works but is cracked, glue it back together and you can buy cover that you glue on top to hide all the glue/cracks. Make sure you dont get the climate control from the civic or the civic hatchback though, its a different unit.

 

[ComposiMo]

Best advise i can give:

Helm Service Manual for 1988 CRX

It is a 3-ring binder print these days, but still worth every penny. May be able to find a full original Helm Manual on eBay though

 

[invalidcomfort]

well first off welcome.

your idle could be a number of things. it sounds to me like a vacuum problem. I had the same problem in my car when a line came off. Idled at almost 5k :shock:

your speedo cable either not in the trans or not in the back of the cluster all the way. Its a mechanical speedo and odometer. pretty easy fix. you can pull the gauge cluster cover off and unscrew the gauge cluster. look on the back to the speedo and see if the cable is in all the way. If it is than its probably not seated in the trans properly.

As for missing parts you can probably pick most of them up in a pick n pull for cheap. The climate controls are notorius for breaking in the crx's. if you can find one that works but is cracked, glue it back together and you can buy cover that you glue on top to hide all the glue/cracks. Make sure you dont get the climate control from the civic or the civic hatchback though, its a different unit.

Thanks for the reply. You say vacuum problem. I go O.O.

Could you elaborate alittle more? I have no clue where to even start looking. On my TB there is a weird looking thing thats loose next to the throttle control itself, and it looks like it used to fit in the actual arm of the pulley. I put it in, and it just locked the throttle completely. No clue what it's for though.

I called around at a local pick n pull and they had an 88' DX that I'll go check out and see if anything would be salvagable. Can't buy anything yet, broke as broke can be. I can't even scrounge up enough to do an oil change. >.<

 

[invalidcomfort]

As to the speedo cables, that is what I figured. I would of checked the cable for the cluster, but I have no clue how to take the cluster off the dash. Don't have ramps to get under the car yet, working on that one.

 

[invalidcomfort]

Best advise i can give:

Helm Service Manual for 1988 CRX

It is a 3-ring binder print these days, but still worth every penny. May be able to find a full original Helm Manual on eBay though

I plan on getting one as soon as I can afford it. Now that I have wheels, starting to look for a 2nd job to pay for my new found car habit!

 

[ollie]

Your in luck that your from the orlando area.
It just so happens the KING of crx addictions lives very near you.
Compi I'm surprised you havent told this fella this info yet?

 

[stick]

Welcome to the site. I'm sure we can help you out. However, probably the best way to get a good response is to take things a bit at a time and ask questions about one problem at a time. Between the 200+ of us on here, we probably collectively have enough knowledge to answer any of your CRX related questions you can throw at us.

 

[invalidcomfort]

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I know I should probally take my time, but I'm just so excited, and I want to absorb everything that I can. Going to spend my evening reading anything I can find!

Thanks,

Johnathon

 

[ComposiMo]

Your in luck that your from the orlando area.
It just so happens the KING of crx addictions lives very near you.
Compi I'm surprised you havent told this fella this info yet?

Where did you see that?

invalidcomfort: If you're in the Orlando area, stop on by sometime
http://www.iconautoparts.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=contact for addy and directions...

 

[crxfisher]

Your problems don't sound THAT bad. And from reading your descriptions, you don't sound like too much of a newb. I'm sure we can help you out. Just like Stickershop said: Prioritize and then post each problem separately. There are no stupid questions. Everytime you ask for help, you're actually contributing to the site. Because somebody, somewhere, has the same question. So ask away, and let's fix your car!

 

[toxiclows]

yeah.... you turn the wrenches and everyone here can guide you....

Might be a great time to think about putting a computer in your garage..

I do not consider myself a noob but there are still plenty of times where i am running to a computer to ask a question or look up a diagram or get other help...

Lets get that car of yours working right.... we ARE here to help

and welcome to the site.. .

Chris

 

[joshman]

About the speedo. Now correct me if I am wrong but I believe if the speedo cable is not connected to the transmission it will have a check engine light. But if it is disconnected from the cluster, you will not have a check engine light. Might be something to check before tearing your dash apart.

 

[rex2nr]

there should be a CEL anyway... I think. Its been so long since I've done any work with the cluster completly out, but I think I did have a CEL when the cable was out of the cluster. I hadn't popped it in tight enough when I swaped mine out.

 

[invalidcomfort]

I do have a CEL, but only sometimes.

crxfisher, your post that you wrote on finding the codes was extremely helpful. I used it and all I got was a "short flash" (i.e '1'). So I'm assuming it's the O2 sensor thats gone bad. Another thing to add to the list... and I'm actually excited about it...

Anywho, back to the speedo. I have a crappy jack that someone game me, and I went under the car and peeked at the tranny. I saw the wire, but I was too scared to mess with anything because of the crappy jack my car was on.

So then I looked at my cluster. I was an idiot and forgot to check for screws, so I ripped the cover off /:

Anywho, I checked the speedo wire, and it loose. Plugged it in, nothing happened. Then I had my roommate in the car and drove, to see if the cable was spinning. It was not so that means on of two things ( I hope there is only two things ): The cable is bad, or it's not connected to the tranny. So until I'm able to borrow a set of ramps I'm SOL.

Is it possible for the speedo cable to break? It is a part, so I don't see why it wouldn't. Another question: I saw a screw where the cable went, does that have anything to do with the cable itself?

One more thing... ( too many questions, I'm sorry). There was a green flourecent[sp?] liquid on what I'm assuming is the oil pan. Isn't that refrigant? Why is it on the oil pan?

 

[joshman]

You shouldn't need ramps for the speedo cable. It goes into the transmission on the firewall side, right below the intake and throttle body. It is kind of hard to get to so you will need to remove the actual intake. Here is a pic courtesy of stickershop of the actual placement.

 

[ComposiMo]

I urge you to bring it by the shop... we won't charge you anything to look at it and let you know whats wrong. Seeing the problems visually in person is a TON easier than trying to diagnose (read: guess) on a web forum. Your car sounds like it has a few small problems, but the florescent green on the oil pan bothers me.

 

[invalidcomfort]

ComposiMo, How late are you going to be there tomorrow? I can bring it by after work. I get off at 5ish, and I would like a pro to look over it with me.

 

[ComposiMo]

I'll be there tomorrow until about 7ish or so more than likely. I was there tonight until about 9:30 or something :lol: If i'm not there for some reason when you stop by (my schedule is erratic), talk to Jason, and tell him what is up with it, and let him know that i told you to bring it by to see what all was wrong with it. He's a miracle worker with Hondas as well

But more than likely, at that hour, i'll be there 8)

 

[invalidcomfort]

Your tool allergy, mark? Do tell!

Anyways, stopped at ComposiMo's shop, and the results are in.

Let me tell you, that was the best thing that I could've done. I'm very happy that he decided that my car was worth his time. I give much praise to him, and his shop's techs patience. A phenomenal help.

I thank you again John.

Anyways, if anyone would like to see the list of things that he gave me, then I'd be more than happy to type it up.