Good day everyone! It'll be my first post here but I have been a lurker for some time. I purchased my 1997 Acura CL 2.2 (First Gen) about 8 months ago. It is a Automatic and from what I can see, was somewhat been taken care of relatively well from it's previous owner. Insides are clean, engine is a bit dirty but the parts do not look to shabby. I'm skilled when it comes to computers and handy man like jobs and this year, I am training to become a Master Mechanic so I purchased this car to get more well in-tuned with my fetish of Japanese automobiles. I will be purchasing a Mazda Miata (MX-5) later this year which kept me from wanting to make this a performance automobile and mainly keep it stock. Rather, I decided to make it my car for my commute to work. Somethings I always wanted so I went for it. From what I feel in the car, when driving (I love driving), is that there is a hesitation with the engine when going from 1st to 2nd gear.. then all the other gears fire nicely. I mean this by, when heading to a turn, I decrease my acceleration, drop to about 20ish, make the turn, on the way out of the turn, gas it and it shoots up (RPM), and then finally shifts after completely finishing the turn. I made note to change the oil, spark plugs, and air filter. Before I could, this problem occurred.



I started the car exactly two times before it choose not to start completely. Among those times, I felt the engine give a little extra push when starting those two times. On the third, in which, I woke up in the morning and tried; it wouldn't start. No turning of the engine, just lights on, with beeping due to keys being inserted, everything turns on power wise and I say this due to checking it today (2 days after) and I can still play my radio completely and everything is still functional (lights and what not). Upon looking under the hood, I find oil mush sitting under the don't touched metal cover (as pictured: WHERE THE HAND WITH THE X OVER IT). I read few posts about a leak of oil and I did have a problem before with my 2003 Ford Explorer in which I had to have the valve cover changed due to what I can see is a similar problem?

Here's my thoughts. How do I go upon finding the code box which will tell me the error? I read you have to short it and what not to get the codes and have searched online, but came up with random threads. I plan to call over AAA and have them check the battery/starter/alternator (and I made note to myself check the distributor cap) just to pin-point the results. I plan to replace the oil, spark plugs, wires, air filter (http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-93-ACCORD...item53dac5fbd3) just to verify that I know the age of these jobs and parts al. When I got the car, I didn't know what was changed or replaced, and/or how they manage it. This problem will most certainly get me to know this engine very well and I look forward to it with my training.

Any word on the manual for the first gen? I did find the thread for it but due to the age of the post, the links are not current. (https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-cl-1997-1999-56/1st-gen-cl-repair-manual-1997-1999-2-2-2-3-3-0-%2Anew%2A-461324/) I have read it has the similar engine of the Honda Accord 93-97?

I'll be posting more pics of the engine and any ask of more details is mostly certainly welcomed!

 

the shifting problem in the lower gears sound like a transmission problem.

I also believe that 1997 is when they started with OBDII.
which means there is a port underneath your steering wheel where you connect a reader.


not sure of your starting problem or the oil.

 

my obdII port is behind the ashtray on my 97 cl 3.0L should be same in 2.2L.., check your ignition switch on steering column.. i had same isue and was a bad switch

 

After having AAA come out and try to jump the car; we came to the conclusion that the starter is what is causing the problem. After hitting it while trying to turn the key, it cranked and started so now I have a prideful hammer sitting in my passenger seat. Among searching, the part goes for around $126 so most certainly is not an issue. Since I was able to drive the car back to my house, I'm going to order the wires and spark plugs as well since I'll be doing the oil and filter change. Can't wait to get started on car. Thanks a ton for your support.

And as said, I searched underneath by the steering column, but no port was found so I'm taking a mighty guess, as told, it may be behind the ashtray compartment because I have removed it quite a number of times and remember seeing that port.

 

clicking sound= starter
no clicking sounds and no turnover= alternator

It also sounds like you do have a tranny problem between 1st and 2nd. Jumps in RPM's is almost assuming the tranny

As for the oil, if you are low on it. usually the car goes into a limp mode, where the V-tec doesn't kicks in. So it couldn't be your oil. Again would lead to your tranny.

As for the manual. Pm 97blackackcl. i think he has the manual hosted on a website or so. if its not in the noob guide.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks guys! Appreciate the help. Washed and detailed the car today. I'm guessing the person who owned the vehicle has a different body kit on it due to the paint differences from the bumpers, sideskirts, etc. when compared to the actually body.

Planning on dipping in to the hood and removing this starter. I'll let you know how that goes! Got my hands on the Honda Accord 94-97 manual. About to sort through that real quick.

 

Uh. The last bolt on the starter is a pain. I'm about to run out and by a LONG ratchet. Just not getting enough leverage to take it out. Mainly because who ever had the car before fucking wore down the screws to the air filter rendering me not able to take it off and add about 2-3 inches of space to actually have enough space to do it with a regular. Indented some pretty light scraps into my wrist trying to do it with a regular ratchet. No pain, no gain.