9th Aug 2004, 07:41
I had a 1989 Honda Accord as well. My car developed the exact same repair issues as your car. I traded off the car after nine year with 178,000 miles.
The drivers seat had some bad leather, it rubbed off by where my left elbow was located most of the time.
My Bose amplifier blew after 7 years and I got the same exact loud screeching noise. It drove me nuts.
At 178,000 miles the power steering pressure hose started to leak over the exhaust manifold heat shield as well. The cost of repair was about $1000, and that was the factor that persuaded me to trading it off.
Glad your 1989 is running well.
9th Aug 2005, 19:57
To add onto the alternator installation speek. I would like to tell you that I have replaced alternators on a late eighty's CRX and an early ninety's civic. To remove the alternator, I removed the plastic shrouds from the wheel well, then unbolted the alternator and pushed it out of the way. After the alternator is out of the way, I removed the alternator mounting bracket. This allows enough room for the alternator to come out of the opening for the axle shaft (without removing the axle shaft). Anyway, that's how the CRX / Civic are. I don't know if that's the deal for the Accord.
8th Feb 2006, 14:58
I have the SE-I with about 130,000. It has developed some rust on both front doors, probably as a result of being driven primarily in the Northeast. The leather seats have begun to crack. The BOSE amplifier stopped working last year, (though I've found a place in Florida that repairs them if anyone's interested).
The biggest problem I have is related to the transmission. On long trips (over an hour) at high speeds (over 50mph) the transmission will have difficulty changing gears and especially with switching into or staying in 4th gear. On uphills it becomes impossible to drive. If I let the car sit for 15 minutes, the problem goes away for a while. I've taken it to a couple mechanics and they haven't had much insight. I change the fluids regularly. Any suggestions?
8th Feb 2006, 19:06
You set a record... it took over 200,000 miles for rust to appear? You must live waaay out west.
7th Jul 2006, 22:05
I have a 1989 Honda Accord SE-I and it was given to me to get from A-B. Can't ask for a better little car that is so old. Gets up and goes on 289,000 miles clocked on it already. Has a couple small issues, maybe ball joints, struts etc., does a bit of clunking when I come to a stop or back up. Has a bit of vibration when sitting on idle and when backing up, not sure what that is, but will take to a mechanic to check out. Great on gas. Might keep for a year or so and maybe trade in, if it lasts that long. I was told that you can just about beat them to death. I was also told that the newer Honda Accords have issues. If anyone has a response to that, it would be grateful. Would also like to know where I could find a manual for free, don't have one.
29th Jul 2004, 06:26
I have replaced the balljoints on my sei, but only once. A mechanic friend told me that worn out struts are hard on the ball joints, and can be a contributing factor to failure.