Hello all.

I just picked up an '89 Accord, 175k miles, PGM-FI, Auto for 600 bucks. She seems to be in decent shape considering the age and mileage. There's a little rust on both rear quarter panels, but nothing serious yet. I'm new to Hondas though, so I've got a few questions.

Does Honda have a lifetime warranty on seatbelt components? I know some manufacturers do, and the passenger side front belt will not latch. If not, is the buckles used in the back the same as the one up front. I rarely have backseat passengers, but they don't look quite the same. I suppose I'll probably end up buying it new.

The passenger side power window will not go up or down. Common problem? What about the cause? Motor shot, or just poor contact at the switch, or something completely different?

The temperature selector for the heater slides all the way to cold, but the air never gets colder than lukewarm. Even when it's 40 degrees out. I thought maybe the A/C wasn't working, but I can't tell for certain if I can't even make the vent blow cold. I have a feeling the A/C is discharged though. I had it on and I'm pretty sure the compressor never kicked on.

If I can fix the second problem, the 3rd is irrelevant. Only need the A/C three months out of the year anyway. I think I can tough it out with windows only.

The car runs and drives just fine....until you hit the brakes. I don't think I've ever seen rotors this bad before. The wheel really fights. And at least one rear brake is dragging. You can feel it resisting and creaking until you get up to speed and it seems to break free. Kind of odd..... But it is a fixer upper and not needed right away, so there's plenty of time to fix everything up right.

 

Sounds like a decent find for $600. None of that stuff seems too unique to Honda though. All pretty routine for any car that old.

Seatbelt components - Probably not on the lifetime warranty. Junk yard might be a good bet for replacement.

Power Window - Could be either on a car pushin 20 years old. You'll probably have to take the door panel off and mess around with it. Check the fuses just to make sure. I'd probably look at the motor after that.

Temperature - Sounds like the slider might be misaligned, still allowing air through the heater core even when slid all the way to the cold. You could probably just take off the climate control panel and adjust how much lash the adjuster has so it pulls it all the way to the cold with the slider.

A/C - Like the PW's, on a car that old, could be anything. You could try recharging it yourself with the kits at the auto parts store, but if it hasn't worked in a while, it would probably be better to let a shop purge and refill it.

Brakes - With the sticking one, it's probably an old caliper. I'd try spraying a little WD-40 on the joints and seeing if that helps loosen it up. As for the rotors, you'll need to replace them. Honda hasn't fixed the ol' rotor problem yet Accords are to rotors like Captin Kirk is to the USS enterprise.

"Warp 5. Engage."

 

Thanks. I figured I'd have to tear into the door anyway, but that's alright. Good on the heater control. That sounds pretty easy to fix. Like I said...I'm not sure if the A/C works or not. The prop that holds the hood up was broken, so I never got to actually look at it while it was on. Didn't hear colling fans going though, and they usually come on with the AC. Brake calipers I can do, as well as rotors. I did a little research, and it seems that Honda does have a Lifetime Seat Belt Warranty, supposedly unlimited miles. I guess it wouldn't hurt to call a dealer and see. No Pull-a-Parts places around here. The salvage place might have one, but it seems like they don't get that much foreign stuff in. Probably end up buying new if Honda won't honor the warranty. Hope it's not expensive.

It really seems to be a good little car. Of course mileage may vary, but any idea how much life she's got left at 175k?

Edit: There is indeed a recall. I seriously doubt it was ever serviced. Think the dealer would honor a recall this old?