Archive for the 'Honda' Category

2000 Honda Accordfailed the emissions code P1457

Lawrence’s question:

I have a 2000 Accord that failed the emissions test because the check engine light was on. It is code P1457. The mechanic said the “evap vent valve” was bad and replaced it. BUT, the light came back on. What should I try next?”

Answer:

Well, you may not like this, but I’ve seen it happen before. The vent valves do go bad, but sometimes when they do go bad, they feed electricity back to the main computer and short that evap circuit out. I’ve fixed a couple accords like that and had to replace the main computer along with the vent valve. Those computers use very small amounts of electrical power so their circuits can’t really be fused for safety. So when a short occurs on something the computer operates, it can feed back to the computer quickly and fry the circuits inside that operate that function.

1998 honda accord change a timing belt/water pump

Santi Rodriquez’s question:

is there any way to clean my catalytic converter and reuse it on my 1998 honda accord? what is the going rate for a universal catalytic? i would like to learn how to change a timing belt/water pump on my 1998 honda accord. any advice you give me i would greatly appreciate! “

Answer:

If a catalytic converter is really clogged up, the material is so fused into the platinum substructure inside that nothing will break it apart. BUT, sometimes you can run catalytic converter liquid through the gas tank that can make a marginal converter work good again. All auto parts stores sell these cleaners. Changing out a timing belt and water pump can be done by anyone with hand tools and patience. You can purchase a book for your car that shows every exact step to do with pictures for less than twenty bucks, OR, if you want to e mail me through my website e mail section, I can e mail you back the whole procedure. This forum doesn’t support the sending of pictures, so I’d need an e mail address to send such information to you.

Honda Accord EX vtec 96 no spark

Tony’s question:

i have a honda accord EX vtec 96 and i dont have spark how can i test the ignotion coil.thank you”

Answer:

The coils rarely go bad on those Hondas, the internals in the distributor go out. they are rather complex inside and even mechanics rarely fix them. We just buy a rebuilt distributor OR a brand new one (and now Chinese made new ones are available and generally cost the same as the old rebuilds, around two hundred dollars.) Simply see if you have power going into the distributor when you turn the key on and crank the engine over. If you do, and have no spark coming out the distributor, just replace it.

95 honda civic lx problems with the left light signal

Alexander’s question:

Hi i have a 95 honda civic lx and i’m having problems with the left light signal. At night when i turn on the lights and i give the left signal, at the dashboard the arrow start clicking faster then normal and outside the car the light is weak but when the lights are off the arrow work normal. another thing is that one of my headlight is brighter then the other “

Answer:

You have an electrical ground problem somewhere in the lighting system, most probably near the headlight that runs dimmer than the other. So go to that side and check the grounding wires there, and probably just run a new ground to that headlight and turn signal. I would assume that the left headlight is the dimmer headlight, and that would make perfect sense. Headlights use a LOT of juice, so when you turn the headlight on, that bad ground could cause the turn signal to get a smaller amount of grounding also, making it work poorly.

Higher Octane Gas for Honda Accord

John’s question:

First off, I think it’s awesome you are sharing your knowledge with everyone. I drive a Honda Accord V4. Specs say it takes a fuel type of regular. Now here’s my questions: -What are the “real” benefits of using a higher octane in my car? -Is it ok to “mix” octanes? “

Answer:

You can mix them all you want, it does no harm. Now I assume you mean just a four cylinder Honda as I’ve never seen a V4 Honda, except in their motorcycles in the interceptors of the seventies. High octane gas is needed for high compression engines or turbo charged engines so the engine doesn’t knock from pre combustion. High octane gas can take more pressure before it starts to burn. Low octane gas will cause predetonation in a high compression engines, making it knock when you accelerate. Using high octane gas in a low octane rated machine is just wasting your money, you don’t need it.

96 civic brake drum removal

Aron’s question:

car is a 96 civic i checked and there are no screws holding the drum in that case how should i get it out.”

Answer:

Yes, there are no screws holding the drum in, BUT there are tapped threaded holes in the drum if you look really closely. Get two small bolts that will screw into those holes. Then tighten the bolts a little, first one, then the other. Eventually the drum will pop off and then you just remove the bolts. scotty kilmer

96 Honda accord AC leaks

Justin’s question:

My old 96 Honda accord runs like a champ. But the AC keeps losing refrigerant. I fill it up, it blows cold for weeks, and then is empty. what should I check?”

Answer:

Well, leaks can pop up just about anywhere there is a connection or in the AC hoses, so you should check them all. BUT, in those older Accords, the high low pressure switch near the drier often leaks. They are cheaper plastic switches and just crack and leak over time. Check that switch first– drip a little dishwashing liquid over the switch after putting a little refrigerant in the system. It will probably bubble up, showing the switch is bad. I’ve changed hundreds of them in the past.

1988 Honda Accord does not start

Russ’s question:

I have a 1988 Honda Accord that does not start. I replaced the distributor cap and rotor and the ignitor – no change. I tested for spark from the coil output and I do get spark, but no spark from the output to the spark plugs. What next? Could the coil be weak or is it spark/no spark? Some mechanics tell me its the fuel pump? Thanks”

Answer:

It can’t be the fuel pump, that does not effect the spark (you could of course have more than one thing wrong.) Since you have no spark to the spark plugs, I would just replace the whole distributor with a rebuilt unit, or one of those totally brand new ones from China (they can actually cost less and work great.) As I said before, that’s what mechanics do these days. We don’t mess around with fixing something that has many parts if we can get a good price on a new unit.

2001 Honda CRVCarbon Build Up. Poor idle

Phillip’s question:

” My 2001 CRV is idling poorly. There are no trouble codes, and I read your advice here, so I cleaned out the throttle valve and the whole throttle body. It was full of carbon, but it still idles poorly. What should I try next?”

Answer:

Well, those little Honda engines often get carbon build up on the valves inside the engine also. I’d advise having the engine carbon cleaned by a mechanic with a power flush machine. And while you’re at it, AFTER having the valves cleaned of carbon, have the valve adjustments checked. I’d seen quite a few Hondas with valves that are badly out of adjustment cause severe idling problems. And your Honda does have adjustable valves on it (many cars don’t these days, they use hydraulic lifters that are non adjustable.)

Honda won’t run on carburetor

Holly’s question:

” My husband has an old Honda that’s sat for five years. He can’t get it running for more than a few seconds by using starting fluid. He’s taken the carburetor apart, but can’t get it to work correctly. What should he do?”

Answer:

Well, carburetors go bad if they sit for years and clog up internally with stuff that gets about as hard as concrete. the only way to really fix them is to strip them down and boil them in an acid solution. Only a real pro can do this, so most guys (myself included) will purchase a quality rebuilt unit. Being a Honda, you will have no problem finding one, the only caveat is the price you will pay. Google it out and check locally at parts stores. The last old Honda I did cost about 380 for a good rebuilt unit that worked like a charm.



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