Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Winding it up is fine, but make sure the engine is warm first. That means engine oil, not the water temp. It takes about 15 minutes of driving for the oil to warm up. Less in the summer more in the winter.

    FWIW my Integra spent a good deal of its life wound up. It would rev close to 4,000 rpm on the highway in top gear. The revs won't hurt your engine.
  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    Cool, I have found that my engine is really geared for efficiency, if you want power, you just push a little harder, and it goes, but it really makes a point to keep RPM's low, there by saving gas. Its really great, and never found it lacking, even on the highway. Smooth. V6 would be fun, but not neccessary for me.
  • jh333jh333 Member Posts: 1
    5 days ago I went to start my car and it jumped. I don't know another way to explain it. It hesitated I guess you could say. BUT the weird thing is, twice since then while driving on the highway about 70mph while steadily staying at that speed it did it again. It also feels like I am having to give it more punch to the gas to get it to go. It feels as if it is struggling more. I had the oil changed w/a better oil (for cars over 75K) and they put a fuel injector cleaner in it. Tested my battery and said I need to have it replaced. It tested 12.78V / 303 CCA. I have NO clue what those #'s mean. I'm going to have it replaced this weekend. Are the probs described above battery related? Someone has suggested the Alternator and Fuel Filter as well. :confuse: 2003 Accd Coupe EX 84K
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    A bad alternator should trigger an idiot light.

    Your timing belt could have skipped a cog, this would cause erratic behavior, unlikely for your miles, but possible.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    what do you mean, the car jumped?

    maybe one or more of your ignition wires is loose or broken? at your mileage, you may need new Honda recommended plugs.

    you'd have to be more specific to get more help i think.

    if you are giving it more gas for it to go, is it possible you are not in proper gear? is it possible when you put it in D, you're not going up through all the gears?

    first thing i'd look at is the cleanliness of the engine air filter (you can service this yourself). it's in a rectangular enclosure and feeds the engine air (engines are air pumps). if clogged, it can greatly rob performance and fuel economy.

    if that isn't it, it's possible the catalytic convertor is going. when they get clogged (usually from running very rich and having unburnt fuel in the exhaust stream), the backpressure on the engine will change, robbing it of horsepower. you'll have more and more trouble going up hills over time, it shifting into lower gears to get you there.

    start by going by your neighborhood autozone or other car parts store. have them run a battery / alternator load check for you (its free). 12.78VDC is voltage found on the, and 303CCA is cold crank amps which is a measure of how much current the battery can supply, at a given temperature (0degF) at a certain minimal voltage for a pre-set period of time. these numbers may be nominal. i don't know.

    i think i would trust the results of a load test conducted at the parts store as to if you need a new battery.

    also, open the engine air filter compartment (located under the hood). it will be a black rectangular box. top will have a fairly good size hose exiting one end going to the engine. top is probably helpd on with 4 metal clips, although could be four screws. anyway, open the top, and replace it if it is dirty removing any debris in the box before closing it back up.

    new filters cost maybe 12-15 dollars at the parts store.

    start there.
  • cb2kcb2k Member Posts: 22
    Hi, I am wondering if this is 'normal' or unusual...hope this link to my post 20158 in the Honda Accord Sedan forum works.

    I appreciate any insight anyone can provide.

    Thank you.
  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    hello!

    Well I have an 06 SE accord, and have about 21k miles on her, I was wondering if it is normal to have a little brake squeal. It really bugs me, Please tell me that people have not replaced their brakes this soon in mileage. I am also a person that is very gentle on the brakes, and have like 2-3 times since owning had to use them quite hard. I also drive mostly highway. Should I be worried? My newer car should not be making brake sounds should it. What causes it, and if its normal?? Thanks. let me know.

    -Worried accord owner
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Brake pads should last much longer than 21k miles. I have 47k on my brakes (03 V6), and they still look newish. Read the owner's manual on squealing brakes. There is a different sound made by the low pad indicator. Some owners have reported problems with rear brakes wearing early, so you may want to check the pads or have them checked.
  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    ok thanks, I lease this car, and I am thinking that I should not have to replace the brakes, because they won't need it til after the 36k I put on it. My mother has like 44k on her VW jetta and still no new pads. I'll have them checked, but its crazy if they have to be replaced, because, literally I am very easy with them.
  • ncleftynclefty Member Posts: 3
    I was very surprised when my '06 needed rear pads after only 30k miles. Fronts still look fine. I failed to look at them myself and was away from the dealer when he called and said "oh by the way, you need rear pads. Less than 5k left in them". I wonder if they were telling me the truth or just in need of revenue. In hindsight, I should have told them to hold off so I could inspect them myself. Seems very early for rear pads to be worn out.

    What's other Accord owner's experience? Does 30K sound about right for rears? I drive 50% city, 50% highway. I would consider myself easy on brakes...

    Thanks
  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    Well if they tell me that, than I am getting them inspected from some other place, also at 36k I'll turn the car back in, that'd be crazy to replace and then a few miles later, trade in. I also will not go to my local honda dealer, their money hungry and rude, who knows what they'll say and do to my car.

    I did have new rotors and calipers put on due to cosmetic reasons by Honda a few k ago, so maybe the dealer installed in a way that would make the pads wear faster. They hate me, because I'm picky.
  • ol07ol07 Member Posts: 24
    My brakes have been squealing heavily for about 5K miles and 2 dealers have said the brakes are fine. I'm going to have them checked again when I have the car serviced next week. They started sqealing lightly at just over 5500 miles and now, at over 10K, if I barely touch the brake pedal they squeal like an 83' Cadillac.
  • pastatiepastatie Member Posts: 26
    As previous posts have discussed, and much to my surprise, the rears on my 04 Accord needed replaced after 3 years and 25,000 miles. I was used to the rear drum type brakes which typically on my other Accords lasted through at least 3 front brake pad replacements. The Honda service manager explained that when you look at the size of the rear pads compared to the front pads you can readily see why the rears are going to go wear faster than the fronts. Looking at the old pads and seeing the remaining thickness I believe his explanation is the correct one. :)
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    The Honda service manager explained that when you look at the size of the rear pads compared to the front pads you can readily see why the rears are going to go wear faster than the fronts.

    That's a load of crap (pardon my French). There is (supposed to be) much less braking force sent to the rear brakes. That's why the pads are smaller. I have the V6, which is heavier, and my rear pads are still good at 47k miles. There are many people who have had this problem. I think the rear brakes on some Accords are dragging, maybe because of the emergency brakes not releasing. The rear pads should not be worn that fast, IMO.
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    Besides the (V6-EX) Accord, we also own a 2006 I-4 Sonata (a great car, btw) and for about 4 months I was complaining about a whining sound coming from the engine, which was parallel to the engine's RPM. I was finally able to prove it to the reluctant dealer when driving 35-40 on a smooth, quiet road, shifting the gear to N and racing the engine up and down... The whining noise was now obvious.

    It was clear that the culprit is one of the items connected via the serpentine belt outside the engine. Turned out to be the POWER STEERING PUMP. They replaced it and the noise was gone. It could also be the Alternator, the A/C compressor, or the water pump.

    The sure way to conclude whether it comes from the inside of the engine/transmission, or outside of it, is to take off the belt so none of those "outside" elements is running -- and check for the noise.

    But you need a willing dealer for that... Good luck!
  • bplairdbplaird Member Posts: 4
    I now have a 2006 Honda Accord and not longer own my '97 Honda Accord. How do I update my forum group so that I will get emails questions for the 2006 and not the '97? I don't want to just unsubscribe....I just want to update the model! Thanks for anyone's help w/this 'dumb' question!
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    You also posted this in the ask a host thread so you'll get an answer there. I'm not even sure of the question. :)
  • tbozzetbozze Member Posts: 3
    Any good online sites for purchasing Honda parts? I'm looking for a relay and fuses. Having difficulty finding absent going to local Honda dealer.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    Majestic Honda's site:
    http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/PartsSearch.jsp

    the exploded system views are killer.
  • arurkunalarurkunal Member Posts: 1
    Hi, I am having issues using the remote transmitter or the door lock button on the armrest to lock/unlock the doors on my 2003 Honda Accord EX.

    1. The doors do not respond at all to the remote transmitter on the key, but the trunk does pop. I can open all locks using the key manually.

    2. Once inside the car, if i use the central lock button on the armrest, all the doors respond except for the driver side door.

    3. When i push in the driver side door lock, all doors lock (that's how I lock the car right now). Once I lock all the doors (by pushing in the driver side lock tab), and if then i push the lock button on the key the horn does beep.

    4. The LED on the key lights up, therefore the battery still works in the key.

    Please advise!
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Sounds to me like your driver side door actuator is not working. Testing would have to be done, to make sure of this. Good luck

    PS: Do you have a service manual for your car. It's a lot easier to fix things, ;) when you have the important troubleshooting information.
  • dairyshickdairyshick Member Posts: 129
    Has anyone had success with locating and fixing a rattle coming from behind the rear seats? I've been noticing it for over a month now. It's not really loud, but when I hit bumps or rough surfaces, it's definitely noticeable. I've been meaning to have my wife drive the car so I can sit in the back and find the rattle, but I haven't had a chance to do that yet! I have a 2006 Accord Sedan if that helps.
  • buyahomebuyahome Member Posts: 26
    You may want to check the seat back for the rear seat to be certain it is locked in properly. If it sounds further back, it may be the spare tire not secure. I had a small rattle that ended up being the latch on the front passenger's seatbelt occasionally bumping against the door pillar molding. Its the little ones that get ya! Good luck.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    yeah, it could be that the retention nut on the spare isn't tight, or the scissors jack or handle is loose.

    it's also possible you got a rear strut (shock) that isn't making good contact with the top of the strut tower where it connects.

    there may be loose suspension part, or your exhaust muffler may be missing a hanger back there and the pipe or muffler is hitting the underside of the car.

    you might have a belt buckle vibrating up against a pillar. maybe a loose seat belt tensioner.

    as buyahome suggests, check and make sure the seats are locked into position firmly. then eliminate the others one by one to the best of your ability.

    you may want someone to ride in the rear while you drive to help isolate the source.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    it's also possible you got a rear strut (shock) that isn't making good contact with the top of the strut tower where it connects.

    I second that!

    My dad had a 2005 Accord which developed a noisy metallic rattle. Over time, we isolated it to be coming from the passenger-side rear seat seatbelt area. It was a loose weld in the top of the strut tower, which the dealer fixed easily.

    Hope this helps!
  • kevinkeilkevinkeil Member Posts: 4
    Stumped

    I have a 2003 EX Accord coupe 4cylinder 5speed with 85K
    History and problem.

    If someone could help I would appreciate it. My wife is pregnant and expecting Sept 3rd. so I am a little strapped for cash and looking to fix myself if possible.

    1. 30K miles had problem with O2 sensor
    2. Slowing down for a light the Check engine light came on (same light as O2 sensor) and the car died a second or two latter. Started up right after.
    3. 2 minutes later getting on to the on ramp the car died again, no warning or stuttering just dead. Started up right after.
    4. Tested car for fail codes, none found.
    5. Considering the lack of symptoms I tried driving car around the block.
    6. Oil pressure light came on and car died a few seconds later.
    7. Couldn’t restart right away, when it did 5-10 seconds later the light stayed on. The car died again after a few seconds of running, everything still sounded fine when the engine was running.
    8. Wouldn’t restart and had to push out of intersection. 15 min later I was able to get it home.
    9. Key in the ignition the car wouldn’t turn over. The door ajar tone wouldn’t work when the key was in the start position. After a few seconds the door ajar started sounding and a noise (could be fuel pump sounded from below the car (drivers side) the car started. This time the engine was knocking a little and a white smoke was coming from the exhaust smelled like gas. (the car typically idles at 800-900 RPM’s the car was now idling at 1300-1500 PRM’s
    10. Current status sometimes it will start other times it won’t. I can’t drive it because situation 9 always repeats it’s self.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    If the "check engine light" came on there should be a code stored in the computer. If you can somehow get the codes read, it could help in diagnosis. It could be as simple as a weak battery (has the battery been changed yet?). I have an 03 (V6), and a weak battery can cause some very strange things to happen with the electronics. The Multiplex Integrated Control Unit is suspect at this point, if it's not the battery.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Batteries do very strange things these days - it is a possibility. If you know anybody with a scangauge they can read the code.
  • kevinkeilkevinkeil Member Posts: 4
    Tonight I unplugged the battery to see if a 12 hour reset would do anything. Tomorrow I plan on checking the battery. what does the Multiplex integrated control unit actually do? is there Anyway a bad O2 sensor could cause these types of problems?
  • buyahomebuyahome Member Posts: 26
    I was trying to remember, but it seems to me anything connected with emissions is considered under warranty for up to 50,000 miles. This won't help your issue, but may help others. Can anyone confirm this?
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    The MICU controls the communication between various electrical systems. The O2 sensor will not cause all these problems. If you could get the car to an Autozone (or maybe some other parts store) they can test the battery for you.
  • kevinkeilkevinkeil Member Posts: 4
    we have an Auto zone right down the street so I will take it today. I wasn't sure about the O2 sensor I changed the rear sensor a couple of years ago but the front sensor is a 110 dollars. Could I replace the MICU myself or are special tools required?
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Could I replace the MICU myself or are special tools required?

    Oh no. We would have to confirm that the MICU is actually bad. There are like thousands of wires connected to it, and it is part of the fuse box. Not a cheap part. Hopefully it's not the problem.
  • hondalovahondalova Member Posts: 189
    I had the same rattle - sounded like a piece of metal in a tin can. The dealer tried everything, from grinding the flange on the edge of the strut, to prying the body metal plates apart where they met between the spot welds (thinking it was body flex), but couldn't make it stop. Eventually it just stopped on its own.

    However, two things I did help to isolate the sound. They were: (1) open the scissor jack while its in its holder just enough to ensure that it was tight in the holder and not rattling, and (2) tying down the spare tire cover, which just floats and flexes with bumps (unlike the cover in my '91 Accord which had a plastic cup nut that screwed onto the center screw holding the spare and tightened the cover so as to prevent flex noise).

    You may also want to inspect the rods that are under the rear package shelf to make sure that none of them are clanking together when you hit bumps. A friend of mine solved his rattle problem with a little foam padding on one of those rods where they cross over each other.

    -FS
  • kevinkeilkevinkeil Member Posts: 4
    Well I took it into Honda and they said sometimes condensation from the AC Evaporation drain plugs up due to rust build up.

    the water builds up on a electrical panel and caused my PCM control to go bad.
    the quote they gave me was.
    4 hours of labor for $336 plus $545 for the PCM component and an additional $85 for the diagnosing the problem.

    do these numbers sound right? Honda seemed to know about this problem does anyone know of any recalls for this?

    Any info would help.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    do these numbers sound right? Honda seemed to know about this problem does anyone know of any recalls for this?

    I think recalls are only for safety related problems. I don't see how this problem would qualify. Usually though if Honda sees a problem enough, they will extend the warranty on it. Maybe this problem is not frequent enough yet, but could be in the future, so keep your receipts. Do some research, and see if others have experienced this same problem.
  • pastatiepastatie Member Posts: 26
    Would anyone know of a chrome tailpipe extension for this Honda model? If you have a V6 you are in luck but the 4 cylinder model does not have the chrome accessory. Has anyone maybe been able to use, perish the thought, a Hyundai chrome tip?
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    The 2007 Accords have the Chrome tip standard on the 4-cyl. Just buy one from a Honda dealer.
  • bf109acebf109ace Member Posts: 77
    The dealer always recommend the 15,000 and 30,000 mile maintenance, which cost $180 for the 15K and $350 for the 30K? Is it mandatory? A friend put 100K on her Accord and never did any maintenance without no major problems.

    Do I need to change the fluid every 15,000 miles? If not, how often do I have to change it?

    The Honda dealer service representative suggested a transmission fluid change at round 20,000 miles? I thought it's too early. Maybe at 50,000 miles? What's your experience?

    FYI, I just have 20,000 miles on my Accord and sometimes drive the car hard (i.e. 4000-5000rpm).

    Oil change is done every 5,000 miles also.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,769
    If you want to take GOOD care of the tranny, 30k fluid changes is more than often enough.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    The dealer always recommend the 15,000 and 30,000 mile maintenance,

    The Maintenance Minder on the 06 and 07 Accords is probably better to follow than a service person's advice, IMHO.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    My 06 does too. It came with the MMC.
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    I change the tranny fluid every 30,000. Very important to use Honda tranny fluid,the trans is finicky. I change coolant every 3 years. Hope this helps.
  • flops1flops1 Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone own an 2006 SE sedan? Trying to fix a problem I'm having with the instrument panel lighting and cannot remember if the panel was just lighted in plain gray or had blue highlights. I swear the instrument panel had blue highlights with the gray, but the Honda dealer is saying the panel lighting is just plain gray. Can anyone confirm either way?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Gray only, my friend.

    I have a 2006 sedan myself, and everything is white/grey.

    This is a pic of my dash in my EX 4-cyl.

    image
  • nelpot1nelpot1 Member Posts: 9
    Not sure what I need to get done but the acceleration of the car seems noticibly weaker but no maintenance or check engine light.

    The main light came on a couple months ago and noticed my acceleration was not as strong. After an oil change, the maintenance light was no longer on, but I still am not accelerating as fast. Also, when pressing on gas, the pedal doesn't seem as smooth. Not sure if I just need a tuneup or 1 of the cylinders in no longer operating, etc. I also had an incident last year where the transmission was stuck in 2nd gear. Honda mentioned it was the solenoid shifter and promptly replaced it. Perhaps the acceleration problem was a result of this incident...not sure. BTW...I have a 2005 Accord LX, 4 cyl.
  • surge2surge2 Member Posts: 2
    I HAVE AN 07 4CYL VP WITH 7K MI. ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP TO 5K I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TAP THE PEDAL TO BRING IT BACK DOWN THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND SERVO BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN.YOUR PROBLEM IS SIMILAR. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THE COMPUTOR CHECK DID NOT SHOW IT .
    SURGE2
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    if you had the throttle body replaced, i would be inclined to monitor the situation and next time ask that the accelerator pedal assembly be replaced.
  • wanaownahondawanaownahonda Member Posts: 3
    I've become interested in what all of you have known for years. That Honda's are the most reliable cars on the road. So, Sorry it took so long to get here but I'm looking for some expert advice from all of you who know far more than I. I have the oppurtunity to own at a fair price a 04 Accord EX V-6 Leather (47,000 miles). Please tell me what I should be paying particular attention to and what a good price would be. I'm a experienced mechanic (aircraft).
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