Unable to find a mechanic who can diagnose and repair a 1989 Honda Civic with non-OBD-II engine management issues causing loss of power at full throttle.

Mechanics refuse to work on pre-OBD-II vehicles, and the owner lacks the expertise and equipment to perform advanced diagnostics on older engine management systems.

Severity

4High

Willingness to Pay

implied

Added

May 21, 2026

Workarounds Described

Replaced multiple parts based on internet advice without proper diagnosis
Used a DCV meter to manually calibrate TPS by probing sensor wires
Pumps the pedal repeatedly to get acceleration (temporary hack)

Implied Software Gaps

Vehicle-specific diagnostic decision tree app for pre-OBD-II cars
Sensor testing guide with voltage range specs and step-by-step instructions
Data logging tool for intermittent driveability issues using phone sensors

App Concept

VintageAutoDiag Pro

A remote diagnostic service and mobile app for pre-OBD-II vehicles. Connects owners with specialists in older car electronics, offers guided troubleshooting with live data streaming from multimeters and analog sensors, and maintains a knowledge base of decade-specific repair procedures.

Key Features

Live remote diagnostic sessions with vintage car specialists
Step-by-step guided testing for TPS, MAP, IAC, and other sensors
Multimeter data capture and analysis via phone camera/Bluetooth adapter
Searchable library of factory service manuals and common fixes for models pre-1996
Integration with part suppliers for direct ordering

Target Users: Owners of 1980s-1995 vehicles who struggle to find mechanics willing or able to diagnose non-OBD-II engine problems.

Revenue Model: $49 per diagnostic session or $19.99/month subscription for unlimited basic troubleshooting and knowledge base access.

Existing Solutions Mentioned

replaced fuel pump, fuel filter, sparks & wires, distributor cap, tpsused dcv meter to calibrate TPSchecked online forums for specs

Want to go deeper?

Sign up to save ideas, run AI analysis, and track opportunities in your personal workspace. Founding members get full access.

Join Beta

Solutions (0)

Discussion (0)

No comments yet