Malfunction Indicator Lamp Back On

hondagirl23 · #1 09-24-2005, 02:36 AM

I posted a month or so back about the Malfunction Indicator Lamp coming on and had autozone test it. It showed a catalytic converter problem....maybe..or maybe a sensor...I called Honda and got a honest parts rep!! I told him that I was broke from just getting timing belt done. i mentioned that the car runs fine and there is no odd smell from exaust. He said it could just be a sensor messing up and to keep on driving. He also told me that I could reset the warning light by taking off negative battery cable for a couple of minutes. Yep it worked..Drove the car for a month or so with no light and then it came back on yesterday. I keep thinking that it might be wierd gas, since we are having big problems getting gas ever since the hurricane bombardment this year. Any comments? I doubt my gas theory is the problem but are there lots of people having their light come on in the last few months? A girl in my class at college told me the light in her car was on and she was told to add a can of some kind of gas treatment to her car and the light went out in her car. Hmmmmm...Ya think that is possible? Anyway, any ideas on my problem? Thanx in advance...

lorunner · #2 09-25-2005, 08:41 PM

not likely. Her gas cap was probably loose and when she added the treatment it became tight and then passed the evap test and went out

hondagirl23 · #3 09-25-2005, 09:07 PM

Now What? The light went out again. Is this a sign of anything?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorunner

not likely. Her gas cap was probably loose and when she added the treatment it became tight and then passed the evap test and went out

hondagirl23 · #4 09-30-2005, 05:15 PM

5 days later and light has come back on again..Does this point more towards one problem over another??

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondagirl23

Now What? The light went out again. Is this a sign of anything?

lorunner · #5 09-30-2005, 09:29 PM

well if you had a cat code im guessing it was a p0420 catalist deterioration. Then the only fix is to replace the cat.

hondagirl23 · #6 09-30-2005, 11:03 PM

Is the Autozone $1oo. cat converter ok? I live in Fl., so no strict emission controls. Honda wants around $1,000. or so for installation etc...When I called them, the tech said if there is no smell,soot on exhaust pipe or loss of power, gas milage...then don't worry about it. probably a malfuntioning sensor..Comments? thnx in advance..

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorunner

well if you had a cat code im guessing it was a p0420 catalist deterioration. Then the only fix is to replace the cat.

lorunner · #7 10-01-2005, 07:42 AM

Nope he's wrong. I live in NJ and I myself have been a Honda Tech for 10 years. I have had my share of P0420 codes and done many of cats to resolve this problem. As a matter of fact there is an actual S/B for the V6 accords that states if there is a P0420 for catalistic deterioration to replace the cat. I have also come accross a bunch that were actualy melted internally and in that instance they also took out the O2 sensor. If you are still under the 8/80 mark on your car I would push the issue at the dealer and insist that they fix the problem cause cats are covered under warrenty for 8 years or 80k miles whichever comes first.

Remember this info is based on if you in fact have a code P0420 stored.

Igovert500 · #8 10-02-2005, 12:52 PM

OK, take it to Autozone and get the actual code they retrieve. Ignore any info/advice they give you (they work at Autozone for a reason). Just get the code. Come back and read the FAQ, and find out what the code refers to, then we can help.

hondagirl23 · #9 10-02-2005, 05:37 PM

Yes, the code from Autozone was PO42O. It was a honda tech that told me to ignore the light, not a Autozone clerk.
What will happen if I continue to drive with the light going on and off? As I said, the car appeares to be running fine. Excellent gas milage and no loss of power that I notice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igovert500

OK, take it to Autozone and get the actual code they retrieve. Ignore any info/advice they give you (they work at Autozone for a reason). Just get the code. Come back and read the FAQ, and find out what the code refers to, then we can help.

lorunner · #10 10-02-2005, 07:52 PM

If you continue to ignore it the cat will eventually melt inturnally and clog. Then you will have no power and wont be able to accelorate or worse the car won't start.

Bottum line is you need a cat and possibly a secondary O2 sensor which you won't know till you get it out of the old cat.

hondagirl23 · #11 10-08-2005, 04:59 AM

I plead ignorance..is the catalytic converter in the muffler? I hope the ones sold at Auto Zone are adequate. Cannot afford Honda's price on this item.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorunner

If you continue to ignore it the cat will eventually melt inturnally and clog. Then you will have no power and wont be able to accelorate or worse the car won't start.

Bottum line is you need a cat and possibly a secondary O2 sensor which you won't know till you get it out of the old cat.

BullShifter · #12 10-08-2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondagirl23

I plead ignorance..is the catalytic converter in the muffler? I hope the ones sold at Auto Zone are adequate. Cannot afford Honda's price on this item.

No the cat is not a muffler or in the muffler, it's an emmisions device. It's the closest thing to the engine besides exhaust pipe. If your car is less than 8 years old and has less then 80,000 miles Honda has to repalce it for FREE!

I've never installed an AutoZone cat, we either use Honda cats or cats from US tire & exhaust. How much does Auto Zone want for the cat? I might be able to get you one for cheaper.

hondagirl23 · #13 10-09-2005, 03:37 PM

I changed the oil today and got a look at the cat. converter.Lot of rust on it.Thanks for the illlustration. This is my 4th Honda and never had one go bad in the past. All my other hondas had at least 150,000 miles. Why are they going bad so soon nowadays?
Autozone wants $130.00 for a Direct fit fit cat converter. I don't know what other parts are requied with it.Auto Zone suggested a sensor and a couple of other parts. I will probably go to a muffler shop and get it done. Hope that is the best choice??

[quote=BullShifter]No the cat is not a muffler or in the muffler, it's an emmisions device. It's the closest thing to the engine besides exhaust pipe. If your car is less than 8 years old and has less then 80,000 miles Honda has to repalce it for FREE!

I've never installed an AutoZone cat, we either use Honda cats or cats from US tire & exhaust. How much does Auto Zone want for the cat? I might be able to get you one for cheaper.

russiankid · #14 10-09-2005, 07:40 PM

idk i got a 89 accord and for bout 200 bucks i got a whole exhaust system, and its a direct fit, came with a cat converter, all the rings i needed, nuts and bolts, and hangers, just needed a mufler, but if u want u can buy the cat.converter online and take it to a shop and ask them to put it on for you

BullShifter · #15 10-09-2005, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondagirl23

I changed the oil today and got a look at the cat. converter.Lot of rust on it.Thanks for the illlustration. This is my 4th Honda and never had one go bad in the past. All my other hondas had at least 150,000 miles. Why are they going bad so soon nowadays?
Autozone wants $130.00 for a Direct fit fit cat converter. I don't know what other parts are requied with it.Auto Zone suggested a sensor and a couple of other parts. I will probably go to a muffler shop and get it done. Hope that is the best choice??

I think they are going bad from lower grade metals used & crappy gas. $130 isn't bad for direct fit, I'm sure they are suggesting a new O2 sensor & gaskets. Possibly new heatshields. Gaskets are needed, O2 sensor's can be saved 80% of the time, & heatshields are a waste IMO. A muffler shop is a good choice for install since the bolts most of the time need to be cut & replaced.

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