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Honda Civic Repair Questions
Question: 2002 Honda Civic
mileage: 46,000. When I make turns in my car I hear a knocking sound?
I was told that it is due to worn CV Boots. I was under the impression
that the boot just held the oil and protected the joint or something from dirt.
I thought that I would need to replace my CV joints which would be much more
expensive. Would getting two new CV boots help fix the knocking on my car?
And is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?
Thanks for your help.
Answer: You are right; the CV
boot merely holds the grease around the CV joint itself. The knocking
sound is probably from the CV joint. If the boot fails, the joint runs dry
and shortly after that, the joint fails. Preventive maintenance would be
to inspect the boots and replace if damaged before the joints are damaged.
Question: 1999 Honda Civic mileage 110,000.
The air conditioning on my Civic stopped working intermittently this week,
mostly upon acceleration, then stopped blowing cold air all together. I
purchased a recharge kit (R134a) with a gauge, and upon connecting, realized the
low side held approximately 100 PSI. I don't have an adapter to check the
pressure of the high side. The low side pressure does not change with engine
running or not. My thought is I might have a blockage. My question is, is there
an Achilles heel of the R134a A/C system in this car, and do you have a
suggestion
as to where any blockage or stuck valve may be. I
think I may have to resort to taking it in for professional service, since my
ASE A/C certification ran out in 1992, two years
before R134a became standard. Any advice would be helpful. Oh yeah, the
compressor is turning properly.
Answer: Your problem could be that
the vacuum lines have failed, blend doors in the
heater-air-conditioning duct work are stuck or malfunctioning, fuses
have blown, bad switches and or relays, etc. Additionally, we do not recommend
non air-conditioning experts tapping into Freon lines as damage to the car or
personal injury may occur. Even with your expertise, you should have your air
conditioning repaired by an experienced mechanic.
Question: 1998 Honda Civic
mileage: 127,000. Check engine light continues to come on periodically.
When the light is on the overdrive doesn't engage. I tested the car with
light on and off. I replaced the oxygen sensor, fuel filter and had it
checked by a mechanics computer code system. The trouble code 1 (oxygen
content) circuit continues even though I have done all the Haynes manual
suggests. I called the dealer and they are stumped also. The only
thing I can think of next is the Engine control module, however that part is
$850. Car runs excellent with the light on or off. What do you think
is the next step?
Answer: Check the air
diverter valve that puts fresh air into the exhaust system, as it may not be
functioning properly.
Question: 1996 Honda Civic
mileage: 165,000. My engine wasn't starting so I took it to a friend's auto
shop to have it worked on. He found that the alternator was bad and the engine
flooded. I got the alternator fixed but the battery still won't charge.
The mechanic mentioned something about the IG wire or the L wire wasn't properly
connected to the exciter on the alternator so the alternator wasn't being "told"
to work. What does this mean exactly? My father and I are going to
attempt to fix this but we need some help. Thanks for your assistance.
Answer: The wire the mechanic is talking about is a small wire
that provides 12-volts to the alternator when the key is on. The 12-volts
signals the alternator to start working. Your car was originally equipped
with this wire, so it is probably there somewhere – located close to the wiring
loom next to the alternator.
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Honda Civic Repair Questions
Question: 1999 Honda Civic
mileage: 120,000. Recently the idle has become very sporadic. As
soon as you start the car the idle will jump from 700 rpms to about 3500 rpms it
will hold and then go back down it does this over and over, it will do this
whether the car is hot or cold. What is causing this? Please help!
Answer: Your car is equipped
with a computer controlled engine management system. An independent auto
service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes. The
information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.
Question: 1999 Honda Civic
mileage: 130,000. I've been having trouble with my brake system. Had
the booster and master cylinder replaced last Monday, and the new booster went
out on Thursday. My brakes locked up and started smoking, fried the front
brakes altogether. Do I need to try another mechanic? How common is
it to get a faulty booster?
Answer: We are sorry to hear you are getting the run-a-round with
your car repairs. Faulty power brake boosters are not common but it is
possible to get one.
Question: 1987 Honda Civic
Would you please help with a problem? This car runs fine at an idle, but
when put into gear it dies. We have done all the tests for vacuum leaks
and fuel problems and need help now.
Answer: Hondas,
in 1987, produced some cars with fuel injection and some with carburetors.
If your car has a carburetor, have it overhauled if it is fuel injected.
Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires,
distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel
pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore,
idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan
computer for trouble codes.
Question: 2000 Honda Civic
mileage: 85,500. My car is overheating and my heater doesn't work. I
have gone to Pep boys numerous times but they still don't fix it. The oil
is fine. I know the overheating is related to the heater but I don't know
what’s the problem. I don't know if this helps but when it overheats
(about ten minutes of driving) the right side of the engine above the belts is
the part that is hot.
Answer: A partially plugged
radiator may be causing your problem. Replacing the radiator with a
brand new one is a very easy repair.
Question: 2001 Honda Civic
Automatic mileage: 170,000. The car has been running well but when it was
in for its complimentary check up, they noted a slight head gasket leak.
There is now a more noticeable leak...am I in serious trouble that will cost
mega bucks to repair?
Answer: Repairing a head
gasket on your car is not as hard as it may seem. With simple tools you can
remove the cylinder head and install new head gasket easily.
Question: 1995 Honda Civic mileage: 107,000.
The rear driver side door latch (the outside latch) is broken and sticks out. I
can't figure out how to remove the trim inside to get to the parts inside the
door?
Answer: A service center that replaces auto glass
should be able to remove the panel for you.
Question: 2002 Honda Civic mileage: 45,000: My car was
recently repaired for flood damage. They replaced the ECU, changed the
transmission fluid, oil, and checked the brakes. After the repair, I noticed
when stopped at a stoplight the idle would get low eventually stalling. The low
idle/stalling would happen occasionally. I took the car back to the Honda dealer
that originally had serviced it for the flood damage. They said the low idle was
due to carbon build-up in a valve and that they cleaned it out and it should be
okay. The idle problem persisted. I took the car back again, and now they are
saying I need to replace the electronic air control valve. They say it is not
water damage related; therefore, I would have to pay for the repair? My question
is, once a car has been flooded, is not the entire electrical system of the car
in question? Thanks
Answer: Yes, from what you describe, the low idle problem started to
occur after the car was flood damaged. Water has a way of ruining electronic
components.
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Honda Civic Repair Questions
Question: 1994 Honda Civic, mileage: 58,500. My Honda
Civic's engine revs while the car is either park or stopped (with the
transmission in drive). I have an automatic transmission, but this problem has
happened to me three times over the past month (both when the engine is fairly
cold, or when it is hot). The first time, I was in park with the engine running,
and the engine would rev inexplicable from 1000 to 2200 to 1000 rpms every
second. Then, when I put the car in drive and started moving, the problem would
stop, and I didn't have the problem again while driving. This last time, the
same thing happened, only I was stopped at a light with my foot on the brake and
the car in drive. Any idea what could be causing this?
Answer: Your car is having a PCM (computer) problem.
The computer is trying to compensate for a bad sensor (probably an O² sensor).
Scanning the PCM will give you the fault codes to help you pinpoint the faulty
sensor.
Question: 1999 Honda Civic mileage: 101,000.
Manual Transmission. When I press the clutch in or release the clutch, I hear a
"scrunching" sound. It's not very loud, but it is noticeable. It's not really a
squeaking sound, but more like something is grinding together. What could this
be? How can I (a non-mechanic) fix this myself?
Answer: Some times the clutch hydraulic system gets
air into it and needs to be bled. Lube peddle pivot and fulcrum points. If it is
a cable application, lube cable assembly.
Question:
1996 Honda Civic, mileage: 31,000. Manual Transmission. When I turn sharp
corners, I hear a deep humming sound from my steering wheel area. It only
happens when I make really sharp turns. It sounds like a miserable moan. What
can I do to fix this?
Answer:
The hydraulic pressure sound you hear is normal. When the steering is in right
or left lock positions, the hydraulic pressure builds and makes noise.
Question: 1996 Honda mileage: 62,000. I have recently
noticed that the longer I drive the car the hotter it begins to run. It doesn't
matter if sitting in traffic or moving. I can turn the heater on and it will
come down a little, but never truly reaches normal operating temperature. Also I
notice that while the overflow reservoir generally has coolant in it, the
radiator usually is down below the fins in the radiator and can take up to a
pint of water to bring it back to the top of the filler neck. About three months
ago it did have a small crack develop in the top around the filler neck that I
was able to plug using that gas tank/radiator epoxy repair stuff and a tube of
Prestone leak stop. My guess is that I do need to replace the radiator, just
because it's old, but could this be a head gasket problem as well? Where is the
water going to and why does it continue to work toward meltdown? Any
suggestions?
Answer: Our first thought is that your problem may be
the repair on the neck of the radiator you mentioned. For the cooling system to
function properly, it must be airtight. As the engine cools between drives, a
slight vacuum occurs in the radiator "pulling" coolant from the overflow tank
back into the radiator. The vacuum may not be forming in your cooling system.
Another possibility is a blown head gasket/cracked head. Have the radiator check
for carbon monoxide (exhaust) being present in the system. This is a simple test
with the proper equipment.
Question: 2002 Honda Civic 50,000 miles. I have lost most of
my ability to accelerate. If I am going 50 mph in 5th gear, I have to downshift
to 4th gear to get any pickup. Otherwise, the engine seems to rev with no
result. Do I need a new clutch?
Answer: From the problem you describe, yes, you do
need to replace the clutch assembly.
MORE:
Honda Civic Repair Questions
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