In my last post, I described the problem with my 2002 Honda CRV.  The Check Engine Light (CEL) came on, and the mechanic wanted mucho dinero to fix it.  His estimate was almost half of the car’s trade-in value.  I decided to buy an OBD-II code reader and do a bit of investigation myself.  Here, then, is the rest of the story…

The diagnosis

The scanner found three codes on the CRV: P0430, P1166, and P1167.

My secret decoder ring tells me that the “P” means powertrain. The first number is either a “0″ or a “1″. Zero means it is a generic problem, and a one means it is specific to the model. My reader was no help in the Honda-specific codes, directing me to a telephone number.

I went, instead, to the web. There are several sites to help you understand the codes. I found obd-codes.com to be the most helpful. Or google “2002 Honda CRV P1166″ and you’ll find not only the problem code, but descriptions of how to repair it, and trouble spots that other DIY’ers found (and how to avoid them). By then end of a dozen clicks, I knew more about automotive emission systems than I ever though I would need to. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2002 Honda CRV, car repair, OBD codes, oxygen sensor, P0430, P1166, P1167

Just when I thought I was done writing about cars, yet another vehicular issue arose.    After replacing our totaled Eclipse, we had to address the “Check Engine Light” on our other car, a Honda CRV.

The car:  2002 Honda CRV

It’s a 2002 Honda CRV with about 100,000 miles.  Trade-in value is about $6,000.  The Check Engine Light (CEL) came on back in November.  I took it to my mechanic, whom I’ve done business with for about three years. I’ve been pretty happy — he’s always seemed like an honest guy.  He told me it needed a new catalytic converter and oxygen sensor for a total of $2,200.  Gulp.

I told him I’d have to think about it.  He cautioned me that it wouldn’t pass emissions testing without the repairs.  Luckily, it’s not due for inspection until August, giving me nine months to figure out what to do.

Would you:

1. Put $2,200 into a seven year-old car?
2. Get another opinion?
3. Sell the car?
4. Diagnose the problem yourself?

The tool: Actron OBD-11 Code Reader

Opting for #4 might seem like do-it-yourself-brain-surgery, but it’s really not that bad.  Bring on the OBD-II code reader.  For about $50 you can buy a device that reads the same codes that the mechanic sees when he checks your engine, and ta-da! it can reset the engine light. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2002 Honda CRV, car repair, OBD codes, oxygen sensor, P0430, P1166, P1167