1998 Honda Civic DX Hatchback: Hope you can help. This is what I shelledout to make my check engine light go off. It's still on.

$243 Tune up - spark plugs et al
$947 Catalytic converter and O2 sensors
$161 More O2 sensors, this time HOnda sensors
$850 Control Module

After leaving the car in an airport parking lot for two weeks in high temperatures, the speedometer stopped working too.

Baffled
jdyer

 

Wow! Have you ever checked what the cel (check engine light)is actually on for?

Is the light functioning properly?

 

I was told after the diagnostics were done at the auto place that I needed O2 sensors and a catalytic converter because the codes were coming up for the sensors and the converter. They put in sensors that were not Honda and the HOnda catalytic converter. Light went back on. Saying O2 sensors again. They put in HONDA sensors and charged me the difference in cost. Light went back on. Codes read O2 sensors again. This time the control module went in. Some time passed. Check engine light went back on. Code says O2 sensors. Speedometer stuck on 20 mph

 

This sounds too familiar to what I have going on, but Im not quite in that deep yet. Im fighting to have the shop that did the damage pay for it. I have put a new Honda rear 02 sensor, still CEL for a heater circuit fault. My next step is to replace the ECU. I'd suggest checking the wires for continuity on the chassis side connector, jacked wires will continue to throw a code even after sensor replacement. Stop paying Honda sooo much damn money!!

 

There is something called VSS - vehicle speed sensor - it's used in calibrating the effectiveness of the catalytic converter and is somehow linked to the speedometer. I've got 18 months to get this fixed - then the emissions inspection happens and with a CEL saying emissions problem, they don't care how much money I spent.

 

If it still pulling a code then put a pic of someone over the light. The vss is easy to change. I had to put one in my civic a week ago. It goes in the top of the trans. it will run you about 100 bux. I paid 120 to get it to me faster cause it was special order every where i went.

 

:chuckles: You could have swapped the motor out for the money youve dropped into this. I dont see why you bought brand new stuff from Honda, when there is an endless aftermarket of new and used parts available. That ecu could have easily been had for 100 bucks or so.You need to make them start putting something behind all there guesses, i know that a customer at the dealership i work at had dropped the kinda money you did into repairs and we still hadnt fixed my service manager would shit a brick. Tell them to fix it, and make sure they dont say try, let them know they have no other option then to do it.

 

Wow you got ripped off.

Tune up you could have done yourself for like $50.
Cats are expensive as well as O2 sensors but for $950?
And the control module? Is that the main relay? Depending on how old your car is that might need to be replaced. I know my car 1993 Civic Si wasn't starting and was traced to that but I heard that can cause all sorts of problems because the contacts get old and the solder cracks.

 

The original O2 sensors were aftermarket. When they didn't work, Honda said it was because we needed Honda new sensors. I looked up the price of the control module that was purchased and it was way more than $100. Is that an ebay price? I agree about fix it or else but Honda blames the original auto place mechanic and he blames Honda. I feel I got in this mix because I was trying to save money off dealer prices.

 

When the car goes in for emissions inspection in my state, the pic over the light is not legal, nor will it fool the inspector. He will see the light, pull the codes, get "oxygen sensors" and tell me "Sorry, lady, no sticker. You have 60 days." Knowing as I do that a third pair of oxygen sensors will not solve the problem, I'm in a bind. Until this fiasco, my Honda gave me not one problem.

Hey, I'd buy the VSS for $100 IF I KNEW IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. Online forums say there is a connection between it and the speedometer that doesn't work any more. Is there a test the mechanic could run before laying out more money?
jdyer