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#Post#: 1443--------------------------------------------------
5th gen Prelude has mechanics stumped…ideas?
DIR By: GBL1
Date: August 15, 2011, 10:41 am
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Here's that facts...I tried to keep it simple...looking for
ideas of what's wrong. I bet it's something simple, stupid, and
easy to fix, but....
2000 Honda Prelude, base model w/ 5 spd manual – 121K miles
Recent tune-up (plugs, rotor, cap, wires, & fuel filter)
replaced at 114K miles, v-tec solenoid cleaned out & new rubber
gasket installed at 120K miles. Has slight oil leak & power
steering leak to be addressed, as I’m able to do so.
Car ran perfect…passed state emissions test on Aug 3rd.
Previously threw check engine light code for O2 sensor # 1…only
when driving through heavy rain (wet connection?). Reset CEL
after rain = no problems afterwards.
Took it in to a shop for timing belt service (I KNOW…recommended
at 105K miles) & to have a performance header & catback exhaust
installed…kept stock cat in place.
Got car back: ran funny & would not kick into v-tec at 5200
rpm…also had an exhaust leak at header/mid-pipe flange.
Had a Honda dealer tech drive car: he said it ‘may’ be ‘off’ by
one timing belt tooth…to the exhaust side if it is.
Returned car to installation shop: they checked it over, said
timing was dead spot on, but that two connectors underneath that
control timing were plugged in, but not ‘snapped’ fully. Assumed
it was just a loose connection. Car runs great now…except for
exhaust leak and periodic check engine light coming on (assumed
to be O2 sensor # 1).
Removed mid-pipe & determined that one stud was cross-threaded
preventing a full, tight seal. Forced to drive car w/ open
header for 2 miles during course of the repair…but did not “get
on it” at all. Replaced stud & gasket…no more exhaust leak.
Added an O2 ‘simulator’ (metal extender sleeve in between sensor
& exhaust pipe) thinking that sensor was getting too much from
now bigger header pipes.
Car runs & sounds GREAT now (nice deep tone hum to the exhaust)
except for “occasional” (about 10% of the time) v-tec not
kicking in…car just stutters & sputters at v-tec rev mark (5200
rpms). CEL now coming on regularly after 10-15 minutes of
driving. Had code pulled…indicated “O2 sensor # 1: low voltage”.
Likely needs to be by-passed or replaced now…
Drive car one mile away after getting code pulled: now stutters
& sputters at various rpms…and dies. Car turns over but will not
start….as if it’s out of gas, but it has half a tank full.
Waited approx. an hour: car started right up & revved fine. Ran
for maybe 15 seconds, then died again…& will not restart. Waited
a few more hours, tried again, got same results…car started
right up & revved fine. Ran for maybe 5-10 seconds, then died
again…& will not restart.
Pulled plugs: appear normal, no indication of fouling. Checked
all connections, everything looks fine.
I, an auto mechanic student friend at UTI, his buddy…a mechanic,
a current high school auto shop teacher (former tech at a car
dealership), and various other auto-mechanically knowledgeable
friends are all TOTALLY STUMPED…
ANY ideas from the audience???
#Post#: 1444--------------------------------------------------
Re: 5th gen Prelude has mechanics stumped…ideas?
DIR By: Blakd
Date: August 15, 2011, 11:25 am
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First I am gonna say I am still learning this whole electronic
control thing.
That said
The u2 sensor is most likely not the problem. It sounds like it
could be fuel pressure or electronics such as spark. I would
check the fuel system and the ignition system. I am betting it
is one of those two things.
#Post#: 1445--------------------------------------------------
Re: 5th gen Prelude has mechanics stumped…ideas?
DIR By: GBL1
Date: August 15, 2011, 1:50 pm
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I'm betting on a fuel issue...
#Post#: 1459--------------------------------------------------
Re: 5th gen Prelude has mechanics stumped…ideas?
DIR By: GBL1
Date: August 16, 2011, 1:20 pm
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I had to bite the bullet & let the dealership figure it out.
They're telling me that it's the ignitor and/or coil inside the
distributor, sooooo...I NEED a complete distributor...including
the internal ignitor & coil. It needs to be a known working unit
that will fit my 2000 base model.
If ANYONE has one or knows where I can get one (new or used),
let me know.
I can come pick it up today...
...I just need to find one asap so I can get her back driving.
George
214.629.1299 cell
972.233.0888 office
#Post#: 1461--------------------------------------------------
Re: 5th gen Prelude has mechanics stumped…ideas?
DIR By: Blakd
Date: August 16, 2011, 4:59 pm
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I would go mad ignition with coilpack. Should be able to get it
pretty fast
#Post#: 1464--------------------------------------------------
Re: 5th gen Prelude has mechanics stumped…ideas?
DIR By: italynstylion
Date: August 16, 2011, 9:51 pm
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My suggestion would be to remove the O2 sim first. Sounds like
you may have wired it in wrong.
And I had a 5th gen. That thing ran no matter how bad I beat on
it. Thing was invincible.
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