Chassis / Suspension & Steering Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I am looking at CV axles and see the terminology "inner" and "outer".
Some parts use Driver and passenger, pretty straight forward.
I assume that the inner and outer refer to the same thing, but which is which?
A: Each C/V drive axle has 2 c/v joints... the one end closest to the wheel is the outer and the end closest to the transaxle is the inner...... Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Not applicable Always
Q: My 1993 Acura was hit from behind and most of the rear of the car rebuilt. Except for a little fit issue on the trunklid it seemed to be very well put back together.
About three months after the repairs the following situation exists. The "brake lamp" light is always on on the dash indicating a problem with the brake lights.
If you apply the brakes with the headlights off, the following occurs at the rear of the vehicle: The turn signal portion of the rear lights both light up but it doesn't seem to be brake light intensity.
In addition, the Interior Dash lights, radio lights, etc. dim to night-time levels, and the turn signal indicator lights on the dash both come on very dimly.
If you apply the brakes with the headlights on, at the rear of the vehicle, the upper and lower running light portion of the rear lights goes out and the center portion of the lights (turn signal lights) come on albeit not seemingly at brake light intensity.
In addition to all of the above, the cruise control will not work IF the headlights are on.
Through all this the radio works, the heater works, the horn, and all other appliances seem to work.
Lastly, the power attennae motor was getting sluggish for the last six months before the accident. At the same time the special effects started occuring with the lights, the power attennae motor quit altogether.
I would like to fix the problem myself if possible because I believe it is simply a grounding problem (except for the attennae motor, perhaps).
Can you steer me in the irght direction?
A: Hey i had the same problem on my acura legend 93Ls my system inside one day i went to the dealer and ask for help and they charged me good well wat i did is i went to my car and check all the wire on my headlights and my back lights make sure the wire got no cut and not losing thats what i did and it never show back again.
Q: My windows on the passenger side does not always react when I operate the switches?
Can you give me an indication what can be the problem?
A: The switches corrode on the electrical contacts, and the current won't....... not usually disassemblable, but new ones are a reasonable price.... Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction When driving Always
Q: The horn and brake lights do not work - they're on the same fuse and the fuse is good.
Also, the srs light on the dash is lit. Do you think these are related?
A: Yes, they could be....
I don't have a wiring diagram near me, but logic dictates for you...
Find the diagram, and determine which circuits are common to each other... check for power going into the fuse panel where it is should be, and also test terminals where power is supposed to come out of panel...
Now you will know which half of the circuit the problem is in.....
Now to find it, trap the problem until you have "power here, and power here, but no power here."
Brake System Malfunction Happens sometimes Not applicable
Q: On my 1990 Acura Legend, I have that special braking system where there are two actual systems assisting power brakes. Well, at times, I feel that half of the brakes do not work, my pedal presses down further (like bleeding the brakes) and it is harder for me to stop, and more prone to skids.
Do you have any idea about the brake system on the 1990 Legend, and I do not believe it is a cut on the brake lines. I am not losing any fluid.
Regards.
A: Yup, early ABS from Honda. Now you need to get the information from your local library to understand how to test it. Ed
Q: The ABS brake light comes on once the car has been driven for 5 minutes. Dealer wants $2000 to replace all components, independent mechanic says don't bother - brakes are safe as is, without the ABS braking. Are the brakes safe without ABS?
A: Yes, as long as there in good working order its fine the only thing the abs is gonig to do is stop the wheels from locking up.
Q: The rear quarter windows on 2dr model just falls will not go up. Cables were loose. It appears the motor is bad. Is there a picture of the routing and proper setup of the cables? or procedure?
A: Your local library should have that information for you. Ed
Engine Won't Start Happens sometimes Not applicable
Q: The engine turns over, but won't start. it happens every once in a while (specially when I'm in a hurry).
I was told that the master selenoid relay or the starter are going out (within the starter).
If this is true, what is the master selenoid relay and where is it located?
If this is not the problem, what is?
Please, help!!!
Alex G
A: If engine cranks and does not start,ck for fuel pressure.if no pressure,ck pgm-fi relay under left side of dash, usually soldered joints inside go bad.if you tap on relay it may start,you see this more when car sits out in the hot sun all day.
Q: Slips when put into drive or reverse does not change gears ever....
A: Fluid level , internal pump , switching valves inside the transmission , or the adjustment of the the gear bands . These are the most common problems . Fluid level in the transmission is someting you can check yourself . Do so only with the engine running , transmission set in park , emergency brake on , and after engine is at normal operating temperature . If the fuil is low , fill it up to the reccommended level . Do not overfil .
Heating / Cooling System Malfunction Happens sometimes Not applicable
Q: Automatic climate control airconditioner system runs sporadically ...sometimes even operates when turned off ...when it does run, it runs at one temperature ..COLD... I've also noticed that the rad cooling fan will come on after the car has been running at idle for only a few minutes, before it is actually hot enough for it to need to be running. Is this part of the same problem???
A: Yes it is. The fan will come on anytime the compressor is engaged. Find out what is engaging the compressor and both problems should be solved. Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Dimming When braking Always
Q: There is a constant dimming of my headlights when I tap the brakes.
When I accelerate though, my lights brighten up to normal.
I just put in a new battery and I had my charging system checked and Napa said it was OK.
I'm stumped.
A: Your charging system seems to be very sensitive to RPM changes......
Remove foot from accelerator and RPM drops, etc..... Check the alternator output at idle.... Ed
Q: I just replaced the master cylinder and brake pads on my '88 Acura Legend but my brake lamp still comes on after driving for more than 10 minutes.
They said I'm losing fluid but the brake lamp comes on even after I just added brake fluid. What could the problem be?
A: The brake lamp could be coming on do to a pressure difference between the front and rear brake circiuts. This is probably caused by the leak you have and will not go away untill the leak is found and fixed.
Q: It seems as though my clutch has gone out. I have been told that you can adjust the clutch switch. Please tell me how. Also could you give me some information as to how I could put in a new clutch?
Thank You,
MarcAnthony Passmore
A: If the clutch has gone out, the switch means nothing.... It's just a safety switch for when starting the car in gear.....
To replace the clutch will require a device to suspend the engine, as the transmission is part of the engine mounting system......
The rest is nuts and bolts... not for the faint hearted though..... Ed
Q: The problem is the clutch, its slipping. (5 speed 1987 Acura Legend). What are my options? Thanks.
A: If the cable is adjusted correctly, then you need to replace the clutch unit....
This is a 'take the transmission out' kinda job, so it may be better left to the well-equipped and experienced...... Ed