1990 Acura Integra 1990 Acura Integra dies when placed into

NROB22

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1990 ACURA INTEGRA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
135,000 MILES

My acura integra will idle fine but when I place it into drive or reverse it immediately dies. I can place my right foot on the gas pedal, and left foot on the brake, rev it to about 2500 rpm and then slam it into gear and it will stay running, but it runs very rough. Once I get it going it it shifts and runs good thru 3rd gear but will not shift into 4th gear. I of course have to keep my foot on the gas as I approach stop signs or it will die. Seems that the transmission is not releasing when slowing and stopping. I do not know when the transmission fluid was changed last, or how it was maintained, as I just bought the car less than 4 months ago. It seemed to be shifting ok and did not die when I placed it into gear before my most recent round of maintenance I had performed on the car. Not sure if maybe a sensor was left unplugged during the maintenance. Here is the work I had performed.
- timing belt
- New plugs, wires, dist cap, rotor button, along with coil
- timing was set
- Right CV axle replaced as it was clicking horribly
- Oil change and coolant changed
From what I have read it sounds like the lockup solenoids could be coming into play here? I'm not sure but need help. What should I start with on trouble shooting? Change fluid first and then pull the lockup solenoid valves and check function?
A transmission repair shop said that it sounded like the torque converter is locked/stuck and probably needs a full rebuild.
Any recommendations on trouble shooting would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Robert

7 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Robert,

Thank you for the donation.

Problem seems to originate from the timing belt replcaement.

Recheck the timing belt installation, I suspect it to be out of sync.

Drop in engine performance has affected the idling and shift qualities.

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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 3:47 AM

NROB22

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THanks KHLow for the reply.

You stated that the recent timing belt replacement was most likely the problem. Would the car run well during acceleration, and still idle well, with a timing belt that is slightly off? It would just show a reduction in power at idle, enough so that it dies when placed into gear?

The car also does not shift into 4th gear would this be a different problem or possibly related as well?

Thanks
Robert

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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 7:52 AM

KHLOW2008

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41,814 POSTS

When the timing belt is installed out by a tooth, it would affect the idling. When idling conatantly, it would be ok, but if the throttl is snapped open, it would drop very low and move back up or stall. Accelerating power would be lower than it normally is and if you do not push the vehicle hard, you might not notice much difference.

As to it not shifting inot 4th, it could be something different. Is the reverse working well? Both shar the same clutch.

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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 9:01 AM

NROB22

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4 POSTS

Car will stall when placing in drive or reverse. Both will work, it will drive in reverse or drive, as long as I keep it rev'd up so it does not die.

If idling in park I can hit the accelerator, rev to 2-4k, let off and it comes back and idles just fine. Does not die.

If I take it to a shop to have them diagnose (timing belt off by one tooth) what should I request? Can they check compression to see if the timing belt is off by 1 tooth or maybe diagnostics run? They state they charge $54 to diagnose but would this include something as hard to verify as this?

I spoke with the shop that performed the timing belt replacement and they feel confident the work was done correctly.

Thanks
robert

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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 10:06 AM

KHLOW2008

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Sorry for the delay in replying. I was not notified via email regarding your reply as the notification system sometimes fails to work correctly.

To check if the timing belt is off by a tooth, the valve cover has to be removed and the crankshaft turned to TDC with # 1 cylinder on compression stroke.

If the timing mark for the front cam is out, a timing light would show as you would not be able to get the correct ignition.

A compression test might not be conclusive as there would be compression pressure that might be slightly lower than specs.

A diagnostic run would not indicate a timing belt that is off by a tooth. It can only show you a performance drop etc.

You should get back to the shop that did the timing belt replacement and tell them the problem started only after replacement of the timing belt. Request them to recheck the timing belt alignment marks.