2001 Honda Accord Car won't accelerate past 20 mph.

2001 HONDA ACCORD
150,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SPOWELL3218
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About a week ago my car broken down, it just stopped accelerating and i couldn't get the vehicle back on. I took it to a mechanic and they told me the distributor had gone bad. So I had a friend change the distributor, the rotor,wires, and spark plugs. It ran great for a day.

But then today it had troubles getting over 35mph. but it would still accelerate. It broke down on the freeway, it just stopped accelerating, Autozone told me to change the distributor cap, so I did, but it won't go past 20mph, and its making a horrible squeaking noise somewhere around the alternator.

Can you help?
Nov 18, 2009 at 8:48 AM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi spowell3218,

Is the Check Engine Light showing?
Did you check the noise at pulley side?
Is the serpentine belt, its tensioner and the crank pulley in good condition?
Nov 21, 2009 at 10:56 PM
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SPOWELL3218
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I took the car to autozone to check the light.
it came up as a misfire, and they said it was most likely.
the distributor cap since i had already replaced the wires.

and no i didn't really check that.
because i'm not sure exactly how too.
Nov 22, 2009 at 5:16 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Misfires are usually caused by bad spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and or rotors.
Other causes are electrical power supply, fuel pressure and injectors.

Did problem occur before or after replacement of wires?

To check the beltings, with engine off, visually them for fraying, push the longest part of belt ti check the tension, should not move much when force is applied.

With engine running, check the pulley movement, it should be rather smooth with no wany movements.
Nov 22, 2009 at 9:45 PM
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SPOWELL3218
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Well I've have new spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor in the distributor.

Well before I replaced the wires I couldn't get the car above 20mph. Then I replaced them, the car ran great for an entire day, then acted up and broke down.

I know the belts are frayed at all and the tension on them is fine, last time i saw it run it looked smooth but i am not sure, and not the vehicle won't even start.
Nov 22, 2009 at 11:24 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check if there are sparks when cranking the engine.

Check out the following links.

https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/first_things.htm
Nov 22, 2009 at 11:35 PM
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BEALLGWV
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My Honda Accord is doing something similar. Did you find out what was wrong with yours spowell3218?
Jul 12, 2013 at 3:02 PM
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