Need some '86 Accord knowledge dropped on me

I am helping a friend fix his automatic Honda Accord that hasn't been driven in a few months. There are numerous issues but the big problem is that the speedometer doesn't work. When I checked the transmission end of the cable it is solidly attached to the drive but the drive unit is loose in relation to the trans. I can pull the drive unit out of the transmission at least an inch before the hoses attached to it prevent me from pulling it all the way out.

How is the drive unit supposed to be attached to the trans? Is it missing a clip or bolt? It was dark so I can't see much.

My friend had a spinal cord injury five months ago which is why it hasn't been driven. He needs to have it taken to a mobility place install hand controls but he can't drive it until it is smogged and it won't smog until the speedo works. A real goat rope that I'm trying to help him unravel.

Thanks for the assistance!

Found some info. The speedo cable plugs into a speed sensor for the power steering. The speed sensor is held into the trans by a bolt, apparently people commonly will tighten down the bolt too much or not have the sensor fully engaged and break the ear off. Hopefully it's just that the bolt is missing because I'll have to rig something up to make it work otherwise.

A new sensor is $195!

I have a bunch of sensors if needed. Another issue I've run into myself is the cable itself either not seating correctly at the speedo, or it being stripped out competely. If seating the speed sensor correctly doesn't rectify the issue, then that will likely be your problem.

www.3geez.com is THE site for those cars. I've owned 7, including parts cars, and am the Sanctioned Racing moderator on that site. Just a little bit about being up front.

There is a very large CA presence on the 3geez board. There are quite a few guys willing to lend a hand on the West Coast, so if you run into issues that are hard to describe, you could see if you could get some in-person help.

I'm also available by phone if you'd like to talk to someone that way. If you'd like, you can PM me for my phone number.

The cable goes into that unit through the rubber boot. If you peel that back a little, there should be a small circlip or pin that holds it in place. Be sure that the cable is fully seated before you clip it in. The cable should be square drive and sometimes you need to turn it a bit to get it to go all the way in.

I used to work at a Honda dealership in the late 80's and we all drove new demo cars with mileage restrictions and....well, never mind.

What I've never understood is why nearly every one of these cars seems to be missing that clip, but it's so hard to get out. Not that it's actually hard to get out, but it's not something that can just fall out.

This thread contains a lot of awesome. This is the sort of community I'm very proud to be associated with. Thanks for being part of it!

There's a reason there are so many "learn me" threads here. There's knowledge of most vehicles ever produced hanging out around these parts.

Derick thank you so much for all the help. I'm going over today to figure out the issue with the sensor. I'll let you know what I find. I'm think about trying to temporarily secure the sensor for the test so we can get the car road legal and over to the mobility place. Apparently it's getting the new style hand controls that have a single lever on the center console, forward for gas, back for brakes, and a button for parking brake line lock.

Getting this thing going will make a big difference for this guy. The van transport services are pretty bad and he has therapy a couple times a week.

Derick Freese wrote: www.3geez.com is THE site for those cars. I've owned 7, including parts cars, and am the Sanctioned Racing moderator on that site. Just a little bit about being up front. There is a very large CA presence on the 3geez board. There are quite a few guys willing to lend a hand on the West Coast, so if you run into issues that are hard to describe, you could see if you could get some in-person help.

Thanks for the info, Derick!

I've found and used 3geez often since the 3rd gen Accords share some components and issues with 2nd gen Preludes. It's a really good site!

Can you recommend anyone who has experience with both cars?

TIA

Rjudjey on 3geez has extensive 2nd gen Prelude and 3rd gen Accord experience. He road races a Prelude in the UK and is making 200BHP out of the A-series motor without boost, using modified DCOE carbs. This is out of a motor that was only rated at 122BHP at the most ever.

In reply to Derick Freese:

Thanks for the heads-up Derick.

You guys were right, the ear was broken off of the sensor. I used some zip ties to secure it down for the smog test and it passed no problem. Obviously a very temporary fix so I'll have to get a sensor for him.

We dropped it off for the hand controls to be installed today. Once he gets it back it'll be getting worked on to fix the sensor and some oil leaks.

You have PM.