Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'97
Honda Civic, 14 Year Emissions Controls
Q: Our
'97 Civic is under a 14 year extended Emission Control Warranty. The "Check
Engine" light activated; I read the manual...which said that this
indicates an emission control system problem. I contacted Honda; they
said any repair would be covered under the extended warranty. However,
at the dealer, they requested I sign an authorization for a $40 diagnostic
charge if it should turn out that the light activated due to a problem
with the transmission torque converter and the position control sensor.
I'd like to know if this is true. There is nothing in the manual regarding
this at all...and the transmission is absolutely fine. Any way of finding
out if the engine light activates as well if there is a transmission problem?
A: Yes
the transmission on your Honda can cause the Check Engine light to come
on. Before we go there you should know that Corp Honda got themselves
into trouble with the US EPA & Californias Air Resources Board.
The result was an emission warranty extension to 14 year 150,000 warranty
on all emission related parts. ALLDATA Information Systems has Technical
Service Bulletin # 98-081 listing the following vehicles covered under
this program as95 Accords with V6 engine, 96 & 97
all except Passport. Under this warranty the effected vehicle will have
any emission related parts that cause the Check Engine to come on, be
replaced at no cost to the owner. This also includes ignition components
such as distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs and wires. An oil change and
filter is included in the warranty.
There are some automatic
transmission components that are covered under this warranty and there
are some that are not. There is no way of knowing what is causing the
Check Engine light to come on until a computer scan tool is plugged into
your vehicles computer. If it is not an emission related item then
there will be a fee for connecting the scan tool and collecting that information.
But, if it is emission related there will be no charge if your vehicle
falls within the terms of the extended warranty. Theres no way of
telling until you plug in.
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