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Honda Civic: Problems & Solutions

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    jderry1jderry1 Member Posts: 2
    dealer offered me a Honda extended warranty 7 years 100,000 miles for $880. one, is that a good
    deal and two, did you buy one? replies appreciated.
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    jderry1:

    Is it 7 years/100,000miles and $0 deductible? According to what I read on the net. It's a good deal. Within $15-20 bucks above the lowest price I saw.
    Question is : Why do you even want to get one for Civic? We have a 2001 Honda Odyssey EX and 2002 Honda Civic.I didn't buy any extended warranty. It's a "Honda". In my case "They are Hondas" Anyway none of my Honda sales even mentioned to sell me Honda extended warranty. To answer your question two: My answers are 2 NO, NO. I didn't buy for my 2 Hondas.
    Also you could wait for 2 years or 24,000 miles to purchase extended warranty without paying penalty. After 2 years/$24,000 miles, you have to pay some ~$50-60 bucks penalty fee. You could buy extended warranty from any Honda dealer in US. Honda may adjust extended warranty price each year, so price may go up according to Honda sales.

    Regards,

    bjk
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    rayrock:

    Yeap, you need to be extra careful when you use silicone lube. It's a very slippery material but it is also very troublesome material it will go everywhere and it is hard to get rid off. Especially id you use it near window or glass area.

    Regards,

    bjk
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    bostontbostont Member Posts: 37
    Macksaud, was the clicky click the suspension spring rubbing? I have that noise too and someone on this site told me what it was. I'm going to take it in next week. Do they usually have to order the fixit?
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    macksoudmacksoud Member Posts: 2
    My dealer fixed it in about an hour without ordering any parts. The work order says: "RETORQUED STRUT TOWER BOLTS & LUBRICATED SUSPENSION PARTS"- I'm amazed that this fixed it because I would have sworn that this most ANNOYING sound was coming from the door. Good luck- now if I can keep my car from flooding every time it rains...
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    syldacatsyldacat Member Posts: 8
    My son's 1990 transmission just doesn't shift well in hot weather! And now, it has begun to sporadically turn the ignition off entirely while shifting from 2nd to 3rd on days that are hot with high humidity. He was advised that the gearing is worn between 3rd and 4th, and the car needs a new transmission before too long---but the mechanic said that only a 1990 transmission will fit in this car. Could that be right?
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    yettibuttyettibutt Member Posts: 98
    My 94 Civic EX Coupe (VTEC - 5 speed) is pinging (spark knock/predetonation) heavily. It has 94K on it. This occurs not just under heavy acceleration, but under normal cruising. Any thoughts on to what would cause this?
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    gasguzzgasguzz Member Posts: 214
    "the key should not be left in the 'run' position (warning lights on dash lit) without the engine running. the ignition coils energize but the spark plugs aren't sparking which overheat the coils..."
    The above is yet another reiteration of what was previously posted, it does not offer a basis of information nor does it support the basic concept of ignition.
    First, unless the new gen has capacitive discharge ignition - it only has ONE coil.
    Yes, the ECU energizes the coil TO CAPACITY at IGN-ON and remains at that state until the plug is fired. At IGN-OFF the ECU algorithm discharges the coil - basic capacitor design cycle.
    So again, how does the coil "overheat"? Where is the IGN-ON/overheating addressed in the OM?
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    bostontbostont Member Posts: 37
    Thank you Macksaud. I'm taking it in tomorrow morning. The girl on the phone said they had to test drive it first to be sure that's what's wrong. So, they will probably fix it then and there (I hope). Mine started with fewer than 1500 miles on it. Probably more like 800 if that.
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    civic2002excivic2002ex Member Posts: 1
    We purchased a new 2002 Honda Civic Ex July 28. We heard a whining sound while driving. It has under 500 miles. The power steering fluid was low took it back they filled it, next day it was low again. They kept the car August 9. We have a bad power steering rack. should get back August 14. We bought Honda because of quality and reliability. Do we have a lemon??
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    civic2002ex:

    I won't say you got a lemon. It's just a bad power steering unit. But you could complain to your dealer that you are really not happy about it, see if they will give you some free floormats or free service coupon.
    Good luck,

    bjk
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    alyssazmomalyssazmom Member Posts: 142
    Hello all,

    My 2002 Honda Civic EX Sedan is doing a very odd thing; while listening to the radio, the radio changes stations. No one has touched the radio but it will change stations! Very spooky, lol. So, I'm assuming an electrical problem or do you think they'll need to replace the radio altogether?

    Thanks!
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    auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    The first thought is timing. Has the timing belt skipped and or been installed incorrectly. The secound thought would be a faulty EGR system. The third thought is oil consumption. An oil burning motor will cause a ping..Lastly very poor gasoline could be a source..
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    Carrie:

    How often does it change stations by itself? Did it change due to any bump on the road? Have you checked your radio to see if there is any button got stuck?
    Maybe its time to take it back to your Honda dealer again!

    Good luck!

    Ben
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    yettibuttyettibutt Member Posts: 98
    The knocking problem only occurs after the car is warmed up, and didn't start until a few months ago. I doubt the timing is off or the belt is installed wrong or it would do it all the time. I will try running higher octane gas and some cleaner and see what happens and check my EGR. If the EGR is malfunctioning, will the check engine light go on? It hasn't ever come on.
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    auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    The check engine light on this model will only go on if there is a malfunction in the lift sensor or EGR valve itself not if there is a clog in the system causing unequal distribution.
    Still do not over look the checking of the timing as this is usally the number one cause and the timing is controlled by a computer..
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    alyssazmomalyssazmom Member Posts: 142
    It has no rhyme nor reason as to when it changes stations. No buttons are stuck, I took the cd out, still did it a few times today. I have an appointment in a week or so. Very strange!

    ~Carrie
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    Carrie:

    That's strange. Never had a car radio changes stations by its own. My guess maybe ground wire from the Radio/CD is loose, Keep me posted what caused it.

    Ben
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    yettibuttyettibutt Member Posts: 98
    Interesting, I looked in my shop manual tonight, the 1.6L VTEC doesn't have an EGR valve! WHAT THE @#@#$, guess it has to be something else. Does the 1.6L have something that acts like an EGR????
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    bostontbostont Member Posts: 37
    OK, took the car in today. The work order reads: "Removed left front strut dampner cleaned and lubed top plate bearing to remove click noise. Test drove no click noise heard at this time". I guess it has something to do with the struts?
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    yettibutt:

    No EGR? That's interesting. How did Honda handle its imcomplete burning gas?

    bjk
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    yettibuttyettibutt Member Posts: 98
    The shop manual only shows an EGR associated with the 1.5L engine, not one with the 1.6L. I have looked at my engine and do not see one. I am confused too!
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    civicchiccivicchic Member Posts: 5
    Hello! Thank you for all the responses as to why my 02 civic has the extended cranking problem. We have followed all the advice and the car still does it. It's not often but, a new car with 3,000 miles should not do that. We are still concerned as to what we should do in the winter to avoid wearing the battery. If Honda does not have a stop to this problem now, I doubt we can get this resolved by the winter. Thanks in advance.
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    jmarrontejmarronte Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2002 Civic EX Sedan with approx. 2,800 miles. I seem to only be getting about 25mpg in the city and 28.5mpg in the highway. Please let me know if this is about right or if other 2002 Civic EX owners are getting different results. Thanks!
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    gasguzzgasguzz Member Posts: 214
    Is that with the AC?
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    alyssazmomalyssazmom Member Posts: 142
    I get between 22-25 city driving.

    2002 Honda Civic EX Sedan in Eternal Blue Pearl(and eyeing the Radiant Ruby Red Civic, lol) with auto.

    ~Carrie
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    yettibuttyettibutt Member Posts: 98
    I filled up with 93 octane prem. gas yesterday and my Civic has stopped pinging, which is good and bad. Good that it isn't doing it anymore, and bad b/c it should not require prem. gas. Does this now point toward carbon build up? If so, what additives are best for getting rid of it?
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    gasguzzgasguzz Member Posts: 214
    Are you depressing the gas pedal before you start the car? Yes - then you're drowning it.
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    jmarrontejmarronte Member Posts: 3
    I've tried both and get about similar gas mileage. I do not depress the gas pedal when I start the car, nor do I accelarate quickly. The sticker shows that I should be doing about 32/38mpg, but I am falling far short of that.
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    yettibutt:
    Sounds like a carbon build up condition to me. One way to get rid of some of the carbon build up is to take you car on the open freeway and drive it in constant highway speed for an hour or 2 to burn some of it off. Techron is one of the top chem engine cleaner to get rid of carbon build up.

    jmarronte:
    I believe your mileage is normal. We get a little above 22 for 90% city driving. I don't believe any owner will ever get estimated mileage posted on window sticker.

    carrie:

    Another Civic? Will this be His and Her Civic?

    bjk
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    alyssazmomalyssazmom Member Posts: 142
    Nope, my his drives a 2002 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan in gold ;)

    I saw a Radiant Ruby Red Civic last week and wow! What a beautiful car! I love my Eternal Blue Pearl but if I had to do it over again... lol

    I adore my Civic but this radio problem has me a tad peeved because it's several little problems adding up. I turned in my Ford Escort because all it did was give me problems, I bought a 2002 Honda Civic to eliminate the constant trips to the service dept.!

    Oh well, still upside down and I don't want to throw in the towel YET but that 2003 VW Jetta or Toyota Corolla are starting to look more tempting with each trip back to Honda...

    *sigh* I'll post what they say on the 27th!

    -Carrie
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    Carrie:

    Dont throw in the towel yet. Next time when you bring you Civic in for service, complain to your dealer to see if they will give your free service coupons. :)
    Did you have chance to check out 03 Corolla and VW Jetta problem forum? I know there are some complain for 03 Corolla due to 1st year model. also I don't believe Jetta has better record than Civic.
    Good luck,
    Ben
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    alyssazmomalyssazmom Member Posts: 142
    I do lurk at the Jetta/Corolla boards every day and while I don't read too many problems with the Corolla (mainly rattles) I do read more complaints at the Jetta board.

    Maybe my expectations were just too high about this car? Or any car like Toyota or Honda that produce higer than average reliable cars?

    Regardless, mine IS having some gremlins but I just can't part with my Civic yet. I bought this car anticipating to keep it 8-10 years and I damn well better, lol. Plus I don't want to get in to the red by adding this car loan on top of another and my car payments for my Civic are ideal.

    So Ben I will continue to drive my fun Civic EX sedan and hope that after this trip, all the gremlins are gone. Hopefully no more complaint posts by me soon!

    How's your daughter's Civic and the Oddy holding up? Don't drive the Civic TOO much while she's at college! *grin*

    -Carrie
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    Carrie:

    I agree with you when people purchase Toyota or Honda, they have higher expectations. Hope you won't have to take your car in after this time. Funny thing is I never had any OEM Car Stereo problem, expect one time I bought a real cheap after market car stereo years ago.

    My Ody holds very well, I just got my 15k miles service done a couple weeks ago. Everything is A OK. My daughter is hanging out and enjoying her summer time. So far she puts on 1800 miles after 4 months. Her car insurance drops $100 bucks for next 6 month. WOOHOO. I really like her Civic. I need to put more miles on her Civic once she goes to college. :)

    Ben
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    cwliangcwliang Member Posts: 54
    Whoops, haven't been reading this forum in awhile, but in response to some people who wrote about a crooked steering wheel...

    If the problem is just that 'straight-ahead' for the car is different than the straight position for the wheel (ie, not pulling either way), my car was the same way, and the alignment was off. It was within spec but still crooked. Needless to say, all dealerships are not created equal, and I ended up taking it to two or three dealers before I found one that would redo the alignment under warranty. Now I'm taking my car (02 EX sedan) in for its regular maintenance there...
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    civicchiccivicchic Member Posts: 5
    gasguzz, Sorry it's not that either. I wish it was that easy.
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    crazy4kaoscrazy4kaos Member Posts: 2
    Hi guys! I'm interested in buying a civic...probably used..about a 1999 -2000 model..i have read all of the problems that others seem to be having with it...but i have also heard so many good things about the reliability and safety of the car...is the honda all it's cracked up to be?! what r some common problems that seemed to be found with these models of the civic? THanks so much
    Tara
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    capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    are mostly the result of environmental influences.

    I bought my 98 Civic LX sight unseen from Honda Military Sales (can you say $3000 over MSRP?) in Germany because my wife refused to learn to drive a standard which is what dominates the junker second car market over there.

    I have had the following problems with the car:

    At about 500 miles on the ODO, it shook violently at start up. Freaked us out. Turns out a local varmint known as a Marder had eaten through one of the spark plug wires so we were running on 3 cylinders. After that, the Honda got parked in the garage and the pathfinder had to stay outside (marders are picky about the brands they eat).

    Last year in November we were driving on the DC beltway and started smelling antifreeze. Pulled into a gas station and saw the green puddle. A rock had simply punctured the radiator. We were able to limp it home with stop leak and a jug of antifreeze and water. Had a new radiator installed. ( and I have added one of those lower radiator grills the tuner kids put on their cars to prevent a repeat occurence)

    2 months ago the check engine light came on and I took it to Autozone and found the code was for the primary oxygen sensor. I replaced it with a Bosch ($90) instead of the Honda ($150).

    Oh, and once we got worried when we heard a rattle, but it turned out to be the cup in the cup holder.

    The car has almost 52k miles on it now.

    We are satisfied with its reliability.
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    espc75espc75 Member Posts: 3
    I had my civic coupe for 13 days with just above 300 miles. Early this week, I am surprised that i found the coolant level is already below the minimum. The technisian added it to maximum when i brought it to dealer. Today, i noticed the leve drop again to the middle between max and min.
    Did anyone experience this before? btw, I did see any leaking from bottom.
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    bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    espc75:

    Read your owner's manual regarding driving during breakin period. Basically take it easy, don't make hard start or stop and don't gun your engine. Don't drive at constant highspeed for a long time.

    Don't change your oil till your first oil change either 5 k or 10K depends on your driving condition. (Honda puts special Moly in factory oil)
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    espc75espc75 Member Posts: 3
    (1382)typo: I did NOT see leaking.
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    espc75espc75 Member Posts: 3
    Coolant loss:
    the Honda technician spent 1.5 hr to check my car's cooling system and found no leaking. where did the coolant go!? Add to max and I drove it back. what should I do now? Is it serious if it is internal leaking? Should I allow them to open the engine?
    yesterday, I also noticed click noise coming from left front? (from spring?)
    I had my car for only two weeks
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    yettibuttyettibutt Member Posts: 98
    If you fill your reservoir tank too much, it will loose some via overflow; this is normal. It doens't need to be to the "max" line, it probably should be somewhere in the middle. Keep an eye on it, if it falls below the "min", then you may have a problem.
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    polymorphapolymorpha Member Posts: 16
    My 1992 Civic has 106 K and has been trouble free. Somewhere after my 90 K service I began noticing a rapping noise from the engine when I accelerated and the engine was cold. The noise was clearly noticeable, but not loud. It doesn't happen if the engine idles for 2-3 minutes before driving, and goes away after 2-3 minutes of driving in any case. I don't hear it if the car is restarted when the engine is warm or if the car has been sitting in the hot sun. My mechanic says he thinks it is piston noise and is not of particular concern. I thought it might be the valves, but an adjustment had no effect. The idle is slightly rougher than I recall when the car was young, but no stalling problems. Gas mileage is around 40 mpg, as usual.
    Has anyone experienced similar problems or can comment on the diagnosis? Also any thoughts on corrective measures, likelihood of its causing engine damage or possible remedies?
    Many thanks.
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    kukarekakukareka Member Posts: 20
    Hi there!
    I have 2 Civics LX 2002 and 2000. No regrets for both models. Little hard working horses that don't "eat" much and very loyal for someone who doesn't race!
    No problems for 2+ years of the ownership. I shouldn't call it a problem, but this noise annoys me on hot summer day when windows ask to be open. Whenever either(or both) front window is down, I hear some vibrational noise coming out from front side passenger's door. It's hard to say if it's a window itself or a door vibrates because of the air is pushing from insige out. Something is loose. Who knows what? Does anyone experiences something similar?
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    kukarekakukareka Member Posts: 20
    Your 2002 civic uses syntetic oil that is good for 5,000. mi for severe conditions, otherwise it is good for 10,000.mi. Why would you want to change oil more often, if Honda specifies 5,000 mi? Besides it's time and money consuming!
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    amber31amber31 Member Posts: 3
    can anyone tell me why my honda is still pinking. it has been back to the dealers, it has been connected to the dealers machine everything o.k. and they can not find any problems with it, full service, new camblet, timing ok. i am lost! has anyone else had this problem with the 1995 honda civic coupe 1.5 lsi?
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    auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    If all else is fine then I would have to say oil consumtion. Does it use alot of oil?
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    amber31amber31 Member Posts: 3
    The honda does not use a lot of oil. apart from the PINKING its like having a new car. it has been well serviced by the dealers from day one.
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    ejamanteejamante Member Posts: 6
    Hi all. have what I find to be a strange complaint. I have about 68000 miles on a 1997 civic 4dr lx,and for the last couple of weeks, after driving about 1/2 hr on the highway, esp at around 65-70 mph, i hear a grating noise (sounds like a can being dragged behind a car) which i think is coming from the r side of the car (? front/below passenger seat?)which starts intermittently then lasts about 1-2 mins. I turned off the radio and ac with no result, and it doesn't seem to be assoc with acceleration per se or deceleration/braking. Doesnt happen at slow e.g. 40 mph speeds. Appreciate your help re possibilities.
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