malfunction indicator lamp in 93 Honda Accord EX

Hi,

I drive a 1993 Honda accord EX - 4 door.
Since a couple of driving trips I have been noticing the malfunction
indicator lamp ( engine check) light come on. STrangely enough, it does
not come on immediately when I start. But after starting and stopping
the car, it starts making screeching noises and the light comes on. I
got under the hood and noticed the noise was from there but am not
exactly sure where.

It feels like the car is sort of struggling to pump the fuel somehow,
like there is something stuck in the fuel filter or something. Also,
since the 'check' light says it is a emissions malfunction (according
to the manual), they might be somehow related. Is it possible that it
was just bad gas or something?

Could someone give me suggestions on what it could be and if I need to
get it checked immediately. If someone has had similar problems, please
let me know what you guys did.

I cant seem to find too much about it on the user groups. I am
desperately hoping I dont have to spend too much on this since I am
just a student and can't afford a big bill.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rahul

 

Various problems may cause the check engine lamp to light.
The problems may be major or very minor. Once it is lit,
there is a procedure for finding out what has lit it. Go to
www.autozone.com , follow the pointers to the free repair
guides for your Accord. Go to the "Emissions Controls"
section. Look for discussion on the self-diagnosis
procedure. Post back if you cannot find it. Once you have
the code, post back with what it is, your car's mileage, and
the maintenance history of the car.

 

Those symptoms, especially the screeching sounds, strongly suggest to me
that your distributor may be infected with the infamous red dust due to a
defective bearing. This was a common problem on early 90s Hondas. If you
are lucky like I was with my '93 Accord, only the distributor housing, cap
and rotor would need to be replaced (the housing is the most expensive
part). If that is what the problem is, the check engine light is
signalling a Code 9 (#1 cylinder position).