2000 Honda Accord Vibration when Braking

Tiny
WOMAN-CUSTOMER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
I bought this used 2000 HONDA ACCORD LX a few months ago with approximately 76,000 miles on it, and it worked perfectly--until a new mechanic replaced the TIMING BELT at approx. 100,000 miles (per the dealer's routine maintenance recommendations). Now I notice when I BRAKE FAIRLY QUICKLY or as I SLOW ALMOST TO A STOP, there is some VIBRATION that wasn't there before. It seem like the engine is going to die at that point. I have gone back a couple of times, and the mechanic simply adjusts the idle. It seems to help, but doesn't totally solve the problem.
Then a couple of days ago I went back to him for the same problem and also had him replace two sway bar connections (which had gotten rusted and broke--possibly after exposure to the Katrina flood). On the way home on a very hot day after about 20 minutes in freeway traffic which was only crawling along, I noticed my CHECK ENGINE light was displayed. My anti-freeze was not below the MINIMUM mark.
The mechanic's tester showed a P1831 ERROR (as best he recalled when I asked him later). He told me he had called somewhere to see what that meant. However, he had been told there was no P1831 ERROR CODE, so he didn't know what my problem was.
From what little internet research I have done, I suspect my VIBRATION PROBLEM must be caused by an IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED TIMING BELT. He replaced the TIMING BELT a couple of months ago, and I don't want him dragging his feet about fixing the problem until it ruins my engine. What do I say to him to get him to properly adjust the timing belt (which I understand would be once again taking apart the engine)? I think he is just being lazy and is simply waiting for me to take the car to someone else to have the job redone. Also, is the ERROR CODE indicative of some other problem?
Thank you for your help.
Sunday, March 15th, 2015 AT 3:55 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Was this a actual shop you took your car too or something else? Also your idle should never be adjusted there really isnt a adjustment there is is just a idle stop screw that is factory set. The computer adjusts the idle thru a idle air control valve.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 6:56 AM
Tiny
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I will have to look up the code I dont know them all. By heart. Also if it vibrates whike brking does the front end steering wheel shake?
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 6:58 AM
Tiny
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Oh, wow! Maybe I need to take this car to somebody else, and the sooner the better. The new mechanic works out of his home and has three or four other mechanics working for him (some of whom I suspect are trainees).
Thank you for that information.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
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No, the steering wheel does not vibrate. The car actually vibrates very little before it comes it a complete stop (which is something it did not do before the timing belt was replaced). Perhaps, it is not so much a vibration as the engine seems about to stall when the car slows to the point that it is barely moving.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I apologize. I gave you some wrong information in my last note. I just went on the freeway to check whether the steering wheel vibrated when I use the brakes at freeway speed. I braked a few times at freeway speed; and the steering wheel did indeed vibrate†every single time.
I mentioned in my first e-mail that the traffic was crawling on the freeway after I left the mechanic, so any vibration I felt in the steering wheel I thought was due to poor road condition. However, today the traffic was light, so I was able to safely test the brakes a few times at normal freeway speed.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
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Iam not seeing that code ether as far as the shaking while braking in the front thats usually warped front rotors. The guy works out of his house with four other people working with him that sounds pretty scary.I think there might be a tooth or so off on the timing belt timing.I think I would find someone else to fix your car at this point.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
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Thank you so much for your advice. It was very helpful.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 11:40 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You welcome anytime thats what were here for.
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 AT 7:34 AM

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