Frequently
Asked Questions
for Troubleshooting Your Honda:
Symptoms and Solutions!
If you own a Honda or an Acura, bookmark this page!
When something goes wrong and you need to troubleshoot your
Honda, we've listed the most common symptoms and the most
common solutions for whatever may be ailing your vehicle!
Engine:
Engine
will not rotate when attempting to start:
1 starter is bad
2 battery terminals are corroded
3 clutch pedal switch not working
4 automatic transmission park
switch not working
Engine
rotates but will not start:
1 distributor is bad (most
common)
2 fuel pump is bad
3 worn spark plugs
4 main relay is bad
5 ECU is burned out
Engine idle goes up and down
when cold:
1 idle air control valve is bad
Engine
idle goes up and down when warm :
1 throttle position sensor is bad
2 map sensor is bad
Engine misses at idle speed:
1 spark plugs are bad
2 low compression in one cylinder
Engine has loud ticking at idle:
1 valves need to be adjusted
Engine takes oil:
1 PCV valve is clogged
2 rings or valve seals are worn
3 synthic oil was previous run in engine
Engine electrical system:
Alternator light fails to go
out :
1 alternator is bad
2 alternator belt is slipping
Fuel system:
Fuel
injectors are leaking:
1 injector O-rings are bad
Cooling system
Engine overheats:
1 head gasket is blown
2 radiator is plugged
3 coolant is low
4 water pump is bad
Radiator fluid disappears or is filling overflow
bottle
1 head gasket is blown
2 water pump is bad (will drip)
Engine never gets warm:
1 thermostat is frozen open
Drive train:
Gears in manual trans don’t work
1 transmission is bad (most
common)
2 shift linkage is jammed
Car pops out of gear or slips
1 worn gears (transmission bad)
2 automatic transmission fluid
level is low
or the transmission is bad
Engine clunks on acceleration or deceleration
1 broken engine or transmission
mounts
Clicking noise on turns:
1 CV joints are worn (replace
axle)
Car vibrates when driving
1 tires are not balanced
2 axle is bent
Steering wheel vibrates back
and forth at low speeds:
1 front brake rotors need to be
turned (only if braking)
2 speed sensitive steering pump is
bad
Automatic transmission will not
move out of park:
1 Transmission control unit is bad
(most common)
2 Brake pedal release not working
Loud howling at highway speed:
1 front or rear wheel bearings are
bad
2 you have a beagle in the back
seat
General problems:
Automatic seat belt retractors
don’t work properly:
1 belt warning control burned out
2 door latch switch is bad
Speedometer doesn’t work
properly:
1 speed sensor on transmission is
bad
Headlamps won’t come up (
Accord ):
1 light switch on column is bad
Power window won't work:
1 86-89 accord, relay box burned
out (most common)
2 90-97 accord, master switch
burned out
3 all models, window motor burned
out
