Automobile / Honda / Prelude

Answer: The black smoke coming out of the tail pipe would indicate an engine running rich. A vacuum leak would cause an engine to run lean, thus no black smoke. Check the PCV valve as it may have failed. We also suspect a faulty carburetor even though you just had it overhauled based on the symptoms you described.

Question: 1998 Honda Prelude   mileage: 148,000 I'm trying to locate the fuel cut-off relay which according to Chilton's Manual depicts it located under the dash. I looked at the wiring diagram for wire colors that would expose the little bugger who's hidden in the maze of wiring harnesses. My question: Could you possibly help me to pinpoint the location of that relay and, maybe what the physical appearances that might standout?

Answer: It is located under the left side of the dash in the fuse and relay block. The relay is on the lower left side of the block. It is beside the turn signal relay. A sure fire way of finding it is to buy the replacement and you will know what you are looking for.

Question:  2001 Honda Prelude   mileage: 108,000.  Battery light will come on sometimes when the car is started, sometimes not for a while down the road, sometimes not at all. In addition, it sometimes flickers rapidly (not blinking, looks like a fluorescent bulb about to go out), then goes off for a while, and comes back on.  I think this may be the voltage regulator.  However, I do not know if the regulator is external, computer controlled, or integrated with the alternator.  All connections to alternator/battery/fuse box/ignition coil/distributor checked, battery replaced a few days ago.  I am not sure if the alternator is failing, as I drove the car for over 2 hrs with the light going on and off (mostly on).  Btw, this all started after driving through an extremely rough section of road that was being repaired.   Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answer:    From what you tell us, it sounds like you may be having trouble with your charging system.  Have your battery load tested and check the alternator output for voltage and amperage.   You may have a diode in the alternator starting to leak.

Question:  1999 Honda Prelude mileage: 105,000.  My son's Honda Prelude, 5-speed transmission, will shift through all the gears while the car is turned off, but if we attempt to start the car with the car in first gear and the clutch pushed in, the car acts if the clutch is engaged.  I tried bleeding the hydraulic line but it seemed fine (no air was in the line).  When the clutch is pushed in the clutch lever on the outside of the clutch housing moves about an inch and a half.  Is there a way to adjust the clutch?

Answer:    There is no adjustment for the clutch linkage.   Your problem may be that the clutch itself is starting to deteriorate.

Question:  1997 Honda Prelude SI  mileage: 95,000.  Bob and Ken, Grease is coming out of one of my inner CV Boots but the boot is not torn.  Should I just tighten the clamp or install a new clamp or do I need to replace the boot?  Thanks for your time.

Answer:    The purpose of a CV boot is to keep dirt out and grease in the CV joint.  If grease has escaped out of the CV boot, the joint should be repacked with grease and a new CV boot installed.

Question:  1989 Honda Prelude  mileage: 95,000.  I have had the steering rack replaced three times by the same mechanic and I am still having the same problem.  There is power steering fluid on top of the reservoir and even on the underside of the hood above the reservoir.  The fluid seems to leak sometimes and other times it does not.  The fluid also appears to be foaming up in the reservoir.  The mechanic that I took it to is trying to help me and has only charged me once but this has been going on for too long and I cannot afford to take it to a dealer and pay again.  What do you suggest?  

Answer:   Because the power steering fluid is foaming up, this would indicate that air is somehow getting into the system.  In view of the fact that you have replaced the steering rack three times, try replacing the power steering pump.  A faulty power steering pump could be the source of air in the system.

Addendum from Questioner:   I was actually writing in response to a question on your Prelude page.  I had a similar problem in my 89 Prelude Si (same 2.0 Engine).  The problem turned out to be that a relief/regulator valve in the steering rack wasn't opening properly.  There is a similar valve in the pump that performs the same function.  What happens is that if one or both valves don't function properly, fluid is forced out of the pump, out of the rack, and into the reservoir.  Since there is more fluid than space, the reservoir overflows, sometimes violently (in my case I blew the top most of the time).  The evacuation of fluid was also characterized by a terrible high-pressure humming noise.  The Honda dealer insisted that this was a result of using non-Honda fluid.  I originally suspected that this is not true, but since I am now using genuine Honda fluid and I have not used anything but in my Hondas now, I've yet to have the problem again.  Hope this helps.  

Question:  1997 Honda Prelude  mileage: 100,000: The Prelude's power steering hose is a combination metal tube/rubber hose. The rubber portion is leaking. Can I cut the rubber portion off the metal tubing and attach a new rubber portion with hose clamps on the remaining metal ends?

Answer: No, they will not hold the pressure of the power steering system.

Question:  1996: Honda Prelude mileage: 80,000 The car sat for 1 year. I changed the oil; plugs and fuel pump 2.5-4.5 lbs. When I start the car, it won't idle and runs rough. At 2500 rpm, it's ok. It has dual carburetors not EFI. Are there some suggestions you may have of what would cause this? Thank you.

Answer: Check for vacuum leaks; also check to be sure that the EGR valve is closed at idle. With the car sitting for one year, you may have to have the carburetor overhauled.

Question:  1999 Honda Prelude mileage: 120,000. Two questions. 1. Problem with clutch, manual transmission. There is no clutch action whatsoever. If I press on the clutch, it goes straight to the floor (more like pops to the floor) and does not come back up, almost as if it has lost pressure somewhere. Of course, I cannot shift, therefore cannot drive it. If I try to start it in gear, the car will drive, as if the clutch is engaged. Have checked fluid level and it is fine. Clutch replaced approx 90,000 miles. 2. Cooling fan comes on by itself, which would be normal when the engine is hot, but it will come on even after several hours/days of non-driving time. I will also sometimes hear a clicking sound in lieu of the fan coming on in the vicinity of the under the hood fuse box, almost as if it is trying to turn on, but there is a short somewhere in the system. I have replaced cooling fan relay, temperature sensor and have now totally removed the cooling fan relay fuse, just so it will not come on. If I replace the fuse and the fan runs, it runs my battery dead.

Answer:  With your clutch, you mentioned checking the fluid. Your car may be equipped with a cable to operate the clutch and there may be two master cylinders side by side. If no, your car‘s clutch cable has probably failed. The problem with the cooling fan may be the result of a damaged wiring harness.

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