[BS13]

I believe I have a really tough one here. I’ve had problems starting about two years ago and the problem is now getting worse quickly.
Quick summary: Check engine light code 43 – Problem with O2 sensor or fuel related problem. Over the past two years, I’ve:

• Bought, swapped and or replaced the ECM three times,
• Changed out the O2 sensor about 6 times – Bosch “burns out” almost immediately and the Honda OEM O2 Sensor last 3-4 weeks,
• Replaced coolant temperature sensor three times,
• Coolant temperature connector – replaced,
• Swapped MAP sensor,
• Swapped throttle body for TPS,
• Changed fuel injector resistor,
• Checked fuel pressure – good with 41psi
• Taken the catalytic converter out – looks good w/daylight coming through,
• Drove car without converter – drove poorly
• Checked wiring from O2 sensor to computer – seems good
• Replaced O2 sensor connector on wire harness side
• Had a complete tune up in November ‘06 with new plugs, plug wires, rotor, cap and air cleaner

Up until November the car ran pretty good even with the check engine light on although slightly diminished few economy at about 21-22mpg. There was a very slight engine miss detected only on smooth roads. Normal around town mileage was 24-25 with highway getting close to 30-31 mpg. The car has a manual tranny.

The tune up shop had the car and could not find the source of the check engine light problem. At that time we were getting check engine light codes of 41 which I believe are O2 sensor heater circuit problems.

I took the car to an auto electric shop and they could not trace the problem either. At that time I was using the Bosch O2 sensor because they were a 1/3rd the price of the OEM sensor. After numerous replacements, the sensor was lasting less than hours. Then I tried the OEM sensor and bingo, I thought I had the thing fixed. Not! Three weeks later the engine light came on again. After two more weeks, the electrician gave up and gave my money back.

As time has progressed, the car has started running more and more poorly. I am on my next OEM O2 sensor with no codes yet. It’s been about a week. But it will come and when it does, it will be code 43. Plus in the last couple of weeks the car cannot get out of its way. Significant, I mean big time, loss of power and fuel mpg maybe not even 15. The engine is obviously running very rich.

Oh, one other very important thing. The car runs great during the first minute of operation! The car starts to warm up going into closed loop mode and performance goes into a dark hole.

I took it into another shop and I watched and supported the mechanic. That was when we were swapping a lot of the parts from another ’91 Accord. No luck. Notta!

Now I’m driving one of my back up cars. I’m thinking about taking this car to the Honda dealer but I not quite ready to take it in the billfold yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? I need to put either me or the car out of our misery soon!