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Honda Civic: Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • spydertech02spydertech02 Member Posts: 2
    Finallly had time to fix the window problem. For anyone with a similar problem, here is what I did. I have the P/W wiring diagram and finally found time to look it over.
    1. Started at the relay under the hood. That looked fine.
    2. Then went to the Relay under the dash. Had 12V hot on one of the large sockects and and 0V on all the rest.
    3. Turned on the ignition to acc.
    4. Now also had 12V Switched on one of the small connections for the relay.
    5. Put the relay back in and leave the car ignition onto acc.
    6. Test the driver's individual fuse socket for 12V that is coming from the relay.
    7. Verify the fuse is good.
    8. Now we go to the driver door. Remove the small gray plastic cover that is around the window switch/arm rest area.
    9. Unplug the gray and brown harnesses.
    10. On the gray harness connector, the Black/blue wire had 12v when the ignition was switched on.
    11. Now, this stumped me for a little bit, but I knew it is something common to all of the windows, so I tested the ground wire (Solid Black or Black/Brown).
    12. Ohm'd this out to the car and it showed an infinite resistance or a break in the wire.
    13. After removing the door panel, I traced the ground wire back through the door to the hinge area between the door and car frame.
    14. The wires were in a rubber tube to protect them. I pulled the rubber covering back from the door side and found the Black ground wire was broken.
    15. To fix the problem, i simply cut the wire and attached it to the metal door because it would have been a pain to pull it out and resolder it. Everything works now, but you need to make sure you get the ground wire attached to a portion of the car that is grounded.

    Your problem might be a litle different or a different wire might be broken, but these steps should help you at least diagnose where the problem is coming from.

    If anyone has a similar problem and need more details or are confused, let me know. spydertech02@yahoo.com.

    Good luck!
    -Mark ;)
  • grumpy26grumpy26 Member Posts: 2
    I have been able to get the trunk latch to lock, however the trunk open icon on the dash comes on and there are three chirps when locking the car via the remote. I guess I'll have to play with the contacts on the latch to get the icon to go off. If anybody has any input on that, I would appreciate it.
  • jay29jay29 Member Posts: 1
    i have a 1.5 ils vtec civic having problems picking up speed mostley on 5th gear uphill on highway (on flat road its seems to be fine) for example if i am driving 80 mph on the highway an then i have to go uphill it will start reducing speed to about 65 mph. There is no pick up to the car even on the carriageways up slopes it does the same. The clutch seems to be fine, can anyone help i would appreciate this.
  • jeff71601jeff71601 Member Posts: 2
    my 99 honda civic has 160000 miles, never gave me any problems before, till yeaterday. I could not start the car, the starter turns over, but would not crank over, had to tow it to the local repair shop. The mechanic thought it was the distributor, but that wasn't it. He now thinks it's the computer in the car, Has any one of you ever heard of computer going out on 99 honda civic? He won't order the computer, because, if that is not the problem, he can't return the computer, so they towed it to the Honda dealer today. I have to wait till tomorrow to find out what is worng with it. I need some Help, Please. :cry:
  • dumbcarguydumbcarguy Member Posts: 1
    ok. i did something that im not really too proud of to my '05 honda civic coupe. i was messing around with the steering wheel, and i dropped a quarter inside it. like, in between the cover plastic outside part and the inside part, where the actual horn is. now, when i turn, it sometimes honks, and i get weird looks from other cars around me. i can hear the quarter rolling around inside the wheel, and it is just killing me that i cant get to it. my question is this: is there a way to take of the outter part of the steering wheel so i could get to the quarter? it is bugging me sooo much. and i feel sooo dumb about it. please help me if u know anything about how i should take care of it. thanks
  • alstacealstace Member Posts: 1
    I am having the same issue. Did you get a response as to which sensor needs to be replaced???
  • bwhitmerbwhitmer Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1990 honda civic with 258,000 miles I've recently rebuilt the motor due to a head gasket leak. The oem exhaust manifold was cracked so I went with some aftermarket headers. I'am having problems with the car not starting when it is shut off after it has been running and is warmed up. It will start after the hood is opened and allowed to cool off. This is starting to become more frequent so I was wondering if it might be the main relay going bad or if it could be the injector resistor.
  • bwhitmerbwhitmer Member Posts: 2
    it seems right for the dealership to do it. if you can do it yourself its not that hard and you can get the OEM part or an aftermarket header system that will bolt right up to the existing exhaust for about $150-200.
  • crazygrrrlcrazygrrrl Member Posts: 85
    ROFL!!! :P This is the first time I've ever heard of this.

    Have you tried going to an empty parking lot and drive slowly in a figure 8? Maybe the coin might come back up from the top of the steering wheel?

    If not, it would be best to take the car to the dealer. You don't want to risk damaging the airbag. It would cost lots of $$$ to replace if it's damaged.
  • rjc5rjc5 Member Posts: 11
    Apparently there's no Door Ajar indicator on LX 05. This has trunk open indicator. EX has it. I think it's a safety hazard. Isn't it a standard safety feature in all cars? Thanks!
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    You're not by chance in Canada, are you? If you are, Canadian quarters (like all Canadian coins, except for the penny) are magnetic. Unlike American quarters, you can pick up a Canadian one with a magnet. If by some strange chance you're up north, you may be in luck.

    Meade
  • yendoranucayendoranuca Member Posts: 1
    i have the same problem with my del sol.. so what did the dealership say?
  • jeff71601jeff71601 Member Posts: 2
    well, got my car back yesterday.
    Dealer told me it was coil & igniter. Costed me $450.
    I did some search for the parts price online, at
    Igniter OEM
    F2024-101541
    In Stock $212.37 178.48
    Igniter
    F2024-101541
    In Stock $212.37 101.78

    Ignition Coil OEM
    F3000-46240
    In Stock $93.42 84.65
    Ignition Coil OEM
    F3000-70290
    In Stock Bosch $93.42 53.25
    Ignition Coil
    F3000-46240
    In Stock Aftermarket $93.42 57.79
  • brich1brich1 Member Posts: 1
    I woould like to know how to change the clock on a 2002 Civic I bought mine without a owners manual as well.
  • tapasintapasin Member Posts: 12
    My 94' civic has strange problem. I can start it just fine in dry and warm weather. Bur I can not start it if it is raining or it was raining last night. Mechanics changed battery, but this did not fix the problem. Last night, I can not started it again. I opened hood and I find there are some sparkles from a black part connected to the left-side of engine when I tried to ignite the car. Technician may not able to see this during the day time.

    Did anyone have the similar problem with mine? What is final solution for the problem. :confuse:
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    It cost(ed) you the equivalent of $300 in aftermarket parts and $150 for diagnosis and repair. Sounds reasonable to me.
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    It needs a minor tuneup. Replace the distributor cap and spark plug wires, and check the plugs while you're in there..
  • juwjuw Member Posts: 1
    Hi there,

    I bought a new 2005 Civic LX two weeks ago and the transmission failed two days ago. The car would not go above 20 m/h. The dealership replaced the transmission with a re-manufactured one. When I asked why, the service manager said Honda doesn't make new transmission. It only re-manufactures transmission. Is this true? Or was the dealership lying? I am wondering what options I have in such case? I don't want a re-manufactured transmission on a brand new car no matter the dealership provides the same warranty. Can I demand a replacement? Your help is appreciated.

    juw
  • aiwaiw Member Posts: 1
    I have a 92 dx with 220500 on it and have been having the same problem as you for the last two years. With it randomly not starting like when it sits all day or if I turn it off after driving awhile and try to start it right back up. The car will turn over but doesn't catch the spark to ignite. I've taken it in quite a few times and had different things fixed but no one can figure it out. A couple days ago it finally went out. It started fine and I reversed out of my driveway but as I put it in first and started to go, the car died. It still does the almost start thing but now doesn't start ever. The mechanics I have it at now tell me I need to replace the computer which I'm skeptical about but will let you know how it turns out. Please let me know what you find out as well. April
  • d16z6d16z6 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 95 Civic EX that idles erratically when cold. When the engine warms up the problem goes away. Someone suggested to change the idle control valve and I did, but the problem is still there. :confuse:
  • tapasintapasin Member Posts: 12
    thank you!
  • peter1981peter1981 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 96 Civic CX with 97,000 miles and a manual trans. Sometime when I turn the key to start it, it does nothing. If i slightly depress the clutch it will begin to turn over. Is this a clutch safety switch problem or something else, and is it something I would be able to fix myself and not have to go to a mechanic?
  • troublewhondatroublewhonda Member Posts: 1
    I had to PRY my fuel latch open because it would not release in my 2001 Civic- w/ 55,000 miles on it. I was on vacation at the time and needed fuel-
    after I pried the fuel door open I heard a pop and the little plastic latch broke off- after I popped it, the trunk wouldn't latch- I don’t think it is electrical because no fuses control the trunk and fuel door- if it is mechanical would I have to replace the entire fuel door assembly throughout the car?
    And does this happen often on 2001 Honda Civics?
  • donny1donny1 Member Posts: 2
    After doing some reading here and elsewhere, I'm inclined to think that I may have a main relay problem. Symptoms are as follows: occasionally doesn't want to start right away or dies after releasing the key (am always able to get started after a few tries) (doesn't seem to be temperature related), has died a few times while driving (once on the highway at 60 mph and a couple of times while driving slowly), after stopping, again, am always able to restart after a couple of tries.

    Possibly related or not (and not so much of a concern), there is a split second hesitation when pressing the accelerator whether from a stop or while on the go.

    Initially, I was thinking fuel pump, but maybe the main relay? Any thoughts appreciated!
  • khaydenkhayden Member Posts: 1
    Hi. I have a 2001 Honda Civic with 81,000 miles. This weekend, the car had no problems, then I went out to the store and the engine was revving and wouldn't accelerate unless I slowly eased up and down on the gas. My boyfriend looked to see if something was lose and unplugged the battery to see if it needed a reset and then he tried to drive the car and it wouldn't drive at all. I had it towed to the dealer Sunday morning and they said I need a new transmission. I had bought the extended warranty for 75,000 miles, but not it is expired. I've put a claim into Honda care to see if they will cover the 2850 the dealer said it would cost to fix. Have you heard of Honda paying for this repair in the past? I see a lot of postings that the transmissions fail on Civics around this time, but the owners manual says 110,000 miles the transmissions should be looked at. I thought a Civic would last a lot longer than 4 years before the transmission would fail. Thank you
  • diana888diana888 Member Posts: 3
    I am also in the Bay Area. Got my service checked yesterday and they mentioned the same problems on my 2000 Honda Civic:

    (1) Left and Right rear trailing arm bushings worn and torn - Quote $582 + $100 for alignment
    (2) Battery failed load test - $110 for battery and installation
    (3) Replace wiper inserts

    I told the Dealer that I will get a second opinion. I looked up some auto mechanics on aaa.com and better business bureau. I found an independent shop owner that gave me a second opinion and an estimate that was $120 cheaper than the dealer. He also mentioned that it the arm bushings is not an ASAP fix but that it is worn and torn and he even showed me which was nice of him unlike the Dealership. He didn't pressure me or try to scare me and explain the break down of the parts and labor to fix the problem.

    I will try to contact Honda to see if this is a major problem because I don't drive the car on any rough terrain. It is a basic commuter car - Got it in June 2000 brand new and only 51, 675 miles on it. Go figure - so if you have a similar problem maybe we need to log/ complain with Honda and make them fix it!!

    Did you get yours fixed yet? If not - I can give you the contact number and name of the mechanic I found in Santa Clara, CA that was very honest and straight forward with me.
  • diana888diana888 Member Posts: 3
    Forgot to mention for the battery - I am going to Sears. I hear Die Hard is the best for car battery and they install for free. I contacted Costco and they don't do installations but they do sell the battery in the main store.
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    The second window regulator failed 6 months after warranty expired. Car had 11,000 miles on it. I called Honda and they have agreed to pay for all but $50.00 of the repair. I think the low mileage helped in making their decision. If you think you have a pre-mature failure in a part after warranty give ol' Honda a call.
  • koleahkoleah Member Posts: 1
    Hi,

    I'm having a problem starting my 1995 Honda Civic sometimes. Here are the symptoms and situation when it won't start:

    The car has power in the ACC and ON key positions (stereo, lights, overhead light all work). When I turn to START position, there is an audible click and the entire electrical system cuts out. Dies. Ceases to have any power whatsoever. If I go back to the ACC or ON, there isn't any power there either. When I jumper-cable to another persons battery, the power immediately comes back on in my car (lights work again, CD spits out, etc.), and I can start it just fine.

    There aren't any problems with it running, and this doesn't happen every time. It has been happening more recently though, which has me worried (used to be once a month, maybe; now maybe a couple times a week).

    I had a mechanic friend of mine check out the battery with a battery tester "thing". He said it had good voltage and current, but now that I think about it he was testing it with the car on and running (i.e. being charged by the alternator). So I don't want to rule out it being a battery problem, but I don't think thats what it is. He said to clean the terminals and that would take care of it. I think the problem is more "car" and less "battery" but I'm not that good with cars.

    Anybody know what is happening and what to do to fix it?

    Thanks for any help

    Kolea
  • civicex05civicex05 Member Posts: 42
    The car has power in the ACC and ON key positions (stereo, lights, overhead light all work). When I turn to START position, there is an audible click and the entire electrical system cuts out. Dies. Ceases to have any power whatsoever. If I go back to the ACC or ON, there isn't any power there either. When I jumper-cable to another persons battery, the power immediately comes back on in my car (lights work again, CD spits out, etc.), and I can start it just fine.

    Sounds like a battery problem to me. To be sure, test the battery after it has been sitting overnight.
  • lordzennlordzenn Member Posts: 1
    I own 1997 HOnda Civic JDM model. I notice that the fans had not been coming on the car and the temperature guage goes hi in idle but notwhile driiving. If I rev the car while idiling the fans come one for a few seconds then cuts out again.When I really rev it when idle the engine makes a choking sound at the extreme end of the revs, I do not have a rev metere sorry so I estimate it to be at red line.

    Anywv had the fan checked it is fine. My battery conneections came loose for a long while and my main line wire was tarnish and the insulation melted at the end commection to the fuse box in the engine compartment.

    When I remove the main line from the fuse box the mainline from the fuse box the temperature guage needle sits at normal near horizontal and ofcourse lighst go on in the dash. When i put iot back the guage rises a little and remains there.
    I ask thgn what could be the probelm?
  • angelawalker25angelawalker25 Member Posts: 4
    Where can I get the for my 98' Honda Civic. My dash isnt lighting up and I need this info.
  • d16z6d16z6 Member Posts: 3
    To me it sounds like a loose wire or connection. Check the tightness of the battery terminals. If you could wiggle the terminals by hand then they're too loose. The current passing through those loose terminals is just enough to turn on the instrument lights, but too weak to turn the starter which requires more juice. After tightening the terminals and you still have the same problem, check the tightness of other wires leading from the batt. to the starter.
  • dino487dino487 Member Posts: 1
    Startes right up when warmed up also when driving somtimes dies but if you dont push in the clutch is it restarts itself in a second or 2 only dies when driving more than 30 minutes,bumping the starter when cold helps a alot,any help would be greatly appreciated i would hate to spen 120 on a fuel pump if it could be somthing else!
    also just starting doing this and its only 60 degrees out not cold or hot
    thanx for any help
  • mmuruammurua Member Posts: 4
    I just experience the same problem. On Sun (10/2/05) I was on the expressway and my car began to slow down. I would give it gas and the car would not excellerate. I took the key out of the ignition and waited for about 1/2 hr. I put the key back in the ignition and it did begin to excelerate. So I exited the expressway and the car would run but only for a little bit then it got worse. Since I am out of my warranty, I had the car towed to a family mechanic and he told me it was a sensor, unfortunetly that was not the solution. I have no other choice but to take it to the dealer. I heard there is a service bulletin regarding 01 honda civic transmissions. Not sure if this will help me in getting Honda to cover the charges since my car is only 4 years old and only has 60,000 miles. Click on nhtsa.dot.gov.
  • kush187kush187 Member Posts: 1
    I am having a problem with my gauge lighting. My headlights, taillights, interior dome lights, turn signal lights all work fine but the instrument(gauge) lights don't work anymore. I checked the fuses and they are fine. Does anyone else know what I could do before I have to take it in? It is a 99 Honda civic ex coupe.
  • djm2djm2 Member Posts: 712
    You have 51,675 miles on this vehicle. Do you have an extended warranty on this vehicle? Why should Honda repair this vehicle under wrranty? Do you have this vehicle serviced on a regular basis by a Honda dealer? The original warranty was for 3 years of 36,000 miles. You are 15,675 miles over the original warranty? Is the Independent Shop using Honda Parts or After Market Parts? There could be a "BIG DIFFERENCE" in the quality of the parts! Maybe you should have invested in an extended warranty on this vehicle! I don't think that you are being fair to Honda!
  • d16z6d16z6 Member Posts: 3
    From my own experience and my customers, hitting the starter to make it work means the starter needs replacing. Can you please clarify the other situation when you drive the car for 30 min. the car shuts down by itself? or when you turn the engine off the car wont start again? If its the latter, then the problem is the starter.
  • ppeppe Member Posts: 1
    I have civic 2000, close to 70k miles. Yesterday night, the battery was dead. All the auto was closed at that time, so I bought a battery from walmart, everstart, $30. It worked fine yesterday, but this morning, I started to get problems: engine was dead twice when stopped at traffic light, and also when I pressed the brake, the car for a couple of seconds, which I never had this problem before. Is there anyone had similar problems before? What should I do?
    Thanks a lot.
  • diana888diana888 Member Posts: 3
    From your response, are you a sales service manager or work for a Honda dealership?

    Don't get me started on buying extended warranty. I bought the Honda for its reliable, reputation and its low maintenance. I hear that I have to be a lawyer to interpret what is covered and what is not covered under extended warranty!

    Yes, I went to the dealership for every major and minor service also did my brake service at the dealership. I never heard of ARM BUSHINGS which is why I raise the red flag. Yes, I did some research and called Honda and they said it is only on the Civic and CRV that have ARM BUSHINGS and not covered under warranty. That the problem will affect by suspension and could wear out my tires. OK, I don't like the answer but I feel at least I got the information I needed before forking over my hard earn money and understanding the problem.

    Anyway, the Independent Shop owner is very honest and reliable, gave me a free estimate with the break down of the parts and labor. Yes, he uses geninue Honda parts. The dealership doesn't even give a part #. He does and I was able to do a Google search on the part # and find the actual cost and description of the part. Found him on AAA.com and he is a member of the BBB. ASE certified. Going to him for all my car repairs instead of dealerships from now on.

    I am not being unfair to Honda, just want to be an informed consumer and like they say, you pay for dealership prices and for some people they like the comfort and convenience of the dealership but it takes time to find a good honest, decent mechanic that you can trust your car to. My 2 cents worth :)
  • corrinemariecorrinemarie Member Posts: 1
    how do u know the code for the stereo if you disconnected the battery?
  • catusascatusas Member Posts: 1
    I have '91 Honda Civic. It is in mint condition and I have never had any major problems with the car.

    Lately the air conditioner has been blowing hot air intermittently. The shop was not able to replicate the problem and said the a/c was fine.

    Any ideas on what might be causing this?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I'd have them check the expansion valve for debris (dessicate particles from the dryer)
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    Nope, but your local Honda dealer does.
  • jhs1886jhs1886 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1987 Honda Civic 1300. It suddenly failed to start. I had no fire. I replaced plugs, wires, igniter, coil, ignition switch harness, coil, and checked gap on reluctor. Checked fuel pressure. Carburated at pump was 2 lbs. I took the ignition switch harness out, cleaned contacts, put it back in and it started. Then quit again. Thats when I replaced the switch harness. Sometimes, very seldom, it will start but die immediately. I'm at a loss. Can anyone give me some insight on what to check next. I also noticed that once when it was running, after I shut it off, the fans were running and the engine was not hot. Please help. I am disabled and on a fixed income so I can't afford to take it to a shop.
  • thebeanthebean Member Posts: 1,217
    I have an '01 Civic EX sedan and have had two different dealerships try to fix the rocking seat issue on my car. The fix lasts 6-9 months and then the seat starts to come loose again. I have a HondaCare extended warranty, so I can get it fixed with no cost to me, but I'm wondering how many more times I will have to take it in. Has anyone had luck with a lasting fix for this problem?

    I'm not a small person - 6'1", 240 lbs, but surely that's not a problem. I've never had any seat problems on any other car.

    Any advice or experiences of your own would be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance.

    The Bean
    2015 Honda Accord EX, 2019 Honda HR-V EX
  • mbergmanmbergman Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2001 Civic EX and yesterday my wife came home complaining about her brakes. First off the car smelled like it was overheating. When I drove it up the block to see what the issue was, it was like you had no pressure on the brake for about 8-10 inches and then you could stop the car. The brake fluid was at MAX and the radiator coolant was low, so I topped that off. This morning I drove it around the block again and it seemed to work fine. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this before or knows if/how the overheating could have affected the braking system?
  • mmuruammurua Member Posts: 4
    Hi,

    My transmission on my 01 Honda Civic EX just failed on me about 1 week ago and I was hesitate to take it to the dealer since I was out of my warranty. I had taken the car with a private mechanic and told me the transmission sensor was out, apparently that was not the problem. I had no choice but to take it to Honda Dealer. They confirmed it was the transmission and told it would be about
    $3, 400+ tax. I could not believe it!! I was furious but more disappointed that my trans blew out at 60,000 miles! The dealer gave me an option of trading my civic for a new honda. I explained to them that they were crazy if they thought I would trust Honda again.. The salesperson told me to call Honda Corporate office and ask them for their assistance on covering the cost of the trans or at least partial.

    I called 1800-999-1009 and a case worker took down my information and I received a call back from a Case Manager and he told me Honda would pick up the entire cost of the trans. The only thing I was responsible is the Labor which is going to be $330 dollars. In addition I would get a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the trans.

    I highly recommend you call the above number and explain to them your disappoint them. Don't be rude, however do make it known to them that you are very disappointed and that you will never trust Honda again..

    Hope this works for you!
  • djm2djm2 Member Posts: 712
    In the 60,000 miles that you owned your Honda Civic, did you ever have the transmission fluid changed? If the answer to this question is "yes", did you replace the fluid with factory fluid or after market fluid? ----- Thank you. ---Dwayne :)
  • gbeckmangbeckman Member Posts: 2
    I'm experiencing a similar problem. My battery died yesterday and was replaced along with the 80amp battery fuse after a botched attempt at starting the car with jumper cables. Everything works fine now, except for the radio.... I checked the fuse box under the dash and the 10amp radio fuse is good. The radio shows no sign of life, does'nt even show the "code" message. I think I have the code which is a combo of two letters and three numerals.... ">

    Can anybody give me a lead on this.... Thanks<img src="
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