Honda Car Forum

I have many questions - and I don't "speak" car very well. I have a 1996 Honda Accord LX 4Dr 5Sp 4cyl and I don't know if it's vtec. I have 123,000 miles on it. I use the right gas, we do our own oil changes, thought we were taking good care of the car until.....

My check engine light comes on and goes off. When I check the code - it's 45. It's not in my repair manual. I have a friend at the honda dealer - apparently its that too much or not enough gas is getting to the engine. So we changed the map sensor. And the light is still goes on for two days. Then off for a day, so on and so forth. Same code.

Next - my car clicks multiple times before it turns over - lights, radio, all work fine but got a new battery anyway.

Just did a tune up - kind of - fixed a leaky valve gasket (?) something about oil in the plugs - but the car still stutters. Feels like its going to die all of the sudden, the rpm's drop a little, and I have to downshift to keep driving at all. It gets really bogged down. Other times its not bogged but it's like it pauses and lurches. The engine idles fine. But I have no idea what's wrong.

I know my left boot is torn with little lubrication left so it groans and churns.

It's almost a piece of junk - I want to take it to the shop - but my dad wants to work on it - waiting for warmer weather or hell to freeze over I guess.

Please advise on possible things to look at.

M