Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Accord

How do I find an objective price for auto repairs?

SpringAquifer — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:46:08 -0800

I normally take my 1999 Accord to the Honda dealership for oil changes. During my last visit, the mechanic suggested a couple of fairly expensive maintenance procedures. Is there a good resource out there to help me decide whether the prices they quoted me were reasonable? I was told that (1) my left inner CV boot was starting to leak and that (2) my front and side motor mounts were cracked. The mechanic quoted me $220 and $540 for the repairs, respectively.

It seems to me the former is probably worth doing, while the latter isn't. Since that the CV boot itself isn't worth that much, most of the cost is going to go toward labor.

So: Is there an efficient way for me to find a reasonable price for labor, other than simply calling up a bunch of dealers and garages for a quote?

My poor old car wants to be pretty again.

lbo — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:39:17 -0800

Is this a car body repair job for professionals, or does it seem like I could handle it myself? My '99 Accord was hit while it was parked and I've been unable to track down the person who did it. And I also have no collision insurance on it since it's old. Before I even go through the hassle of bothering to take it in for an estimate, I'd love advice on how you would proceed if this were your car. Though it's 10 years old, it's otherwise in good condition and it's a car I plan to drive until it's dead, so I'd rather it not look ugly and rusty. I don't have tons I'm willing to spend on the repair, so if it's seems like it would be horribly expensive to make it look not as ugly, I'd like to figure out if I can at least seal it so it won't continue to rust.

Here are pictures of the damage:
First one
Second one
Third one
Fourth one

The door doesn't seem like it's a huge deal, except for the scraped paint on the edge. I'm most concerned about the wheel well.

I've searched old questions and Google, but I haven't found advice that makes sense (to me, at least) in my case.

Thank you!

96 Accord is a Mover & Shaker

FusiveResonance — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:18:54 -0800

96 Accord is a Mover & Shaker? Mysterious problem. My '96 honda accord will vibrate for ~1 second if i actuate the power locks or windows while the car is at a stand still (for ex. at a red light). I can definitely feel the tremor pass through the car. If i put the car in neutral (auto transmission) and actuate the power locks/windows, the vibration can still be felt, albeit to a lesser extent.

For example: The car is stopped at a red light. It is in drive. I push and hold up on one of the window buttons. Even though the window is up, a tremor will pass through the car for about 1 second and then die down. I am still holding up on the button. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Is this indicative of any problem? What more can I do to better diagnose the issue other than take it to a tech?

I am technically inclined and love getting my hands dirty, so feel free to offer all suggestions.

It looks like either a king-sized beverage spill or small pools of dried blood, and neither are upholstery colors.

fujiko — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:24:34 -0800

The rear seat belts on a 1997 Honda Accord bleed onto the upholstery. Is there any way to stop this? I have a 1997 Honda Accord that I use to transport animals sometimes. The upholstery has to be cleaned every couple of months, but I just now figured out that the rear seat belts bleed a chestnut brown dye anytime they get moist (dog drool) or wet (upholstery cleaner). Unfortunately, the upholstery itself is a pale beige color and so it often looks like someone has spilled a king sized, dark-colored beverage in my car. Right now, I have the seat belts covered by plastic umbrella bags so that the upholstery can dry.

Is there any way to seal the dye into the seatbelt? Scotch Guard? Other fabric protectors? Any ideas?

Troubleshoot my Honda's Check Engine light.

blastrid — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:09:43 -0800

My wife's '98 Honda Accord's engine light is on. Help me troubleshoot it to cross-check the mechanic's diagnosis. Mechanic A said the ECU (Engine Control Unit) spat out a code to replace the oxygen sensors, so they did (with non-Honda parts). The engine light remained on and gave the same code again, so Mechanic A concluded that the ECU is busted. We took it to a Honda dealer for a diagnostics check, and they received the same code and said it needs Honda-brand oxygen sensors, but that the ECU is fine. Back at Mechanic A, they put in Honda oxygen sensors for free, and the Check Engine light and the same code remains.

-I have heard that a car's computer/ECU rarely goes out. But does this sound like the culprit?
-I'm skeptical that they've reset it properly. I've done a bit of research online and have tried disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes, but the light STILL remains. Any other resetting ideas?
-Mechanic A quoted me a USED ECU incl. re-programming it for about $500, whereas a new one from Honda is $1400. Is there a high risk for going with a used ECU?

Do I need Shocks, Struts or both?

idzyn — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:41:28 -0800

I bought a 1997 Honda Accord from my 21 year old Sister - the car was lowered as a "gift" by her one-time fiance. The original shocks/struts were replaced with adjustable shocks/struts. Or something like that. Lowered cars, if you don't know, ride like a wheelbarrow on a cobblestone road. I would like to buy, on ebay or whatnot, the stock shocks and/or struts to repair the ride comfort of this fuel-efficient car. What do I need? Shocks? Struts? Is the Shock also the Strut? Does Strut refer to the way guys with lowered cars walk? I'm at a loss. General information about what the difference between shocks and struts are would be educational. Specific information about exactly what I need for a 1997 Honda Accord LX would be ideal and much appreciated. Someone out there with a '97 Accord with great suspension who would like to trade it for a lowering kit would be even better! I can try to provide more information if it's needed, but I'm dumb enough not to know if more is needed or not.

Ignition Lock Assembly Repair

jtajta — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:37:48 -0800

Apparently the ignition lock assembly on my 1999 Honda Accord is fried... It's become very hard to turn the car on. I took it to the local Honda dealer - who I don't sense is bilking me - and he thinks it will be around $400 to get a new one ordered and installed. We initially tried a new key, and that didn't work. I simply don't have that money right now. To start the car you need a fair amount of jiggling of the lock and some serious luck.

Is this something I could order online (a quick google search places them at about $200) and install myself? Where should I order from? Or order online and take to a local dealer? Would they be able to install it easily and cheaply?

I've never really done any auto work, but am certainly handy.

Basically, how do I spend as little money as possible on a car that already has 140,000 miles on it but is running great.

Thanks!

Needed: Change Tray for 2008 Accord

SlyBevel — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:48:09 -0800

Needed: Change Tray for 2008 Accord LX - Parts guys don't know what I'm talking about. Remember me? So I got the Accord I was ogling, and it's the slickest ride I've ever had. Love it.

Anyway, when my wife and I were Accord shopping, we test drove an Accord EX (which is the upscale designation), but we ended up buying the Accord LX (not as fancy, but still plenty fancy for us).

When we drove the EX, it had a coin tray in the center console. Our LX is missing the tray, as I suspect, are all LX models. I can see where it would snap in to the console if I had one, but it's just not there.

Our previous three Accords all had coin trays, but this year begins a new design generation for the Accord line, and lots of things are different.

I've searched Ebay, the online Honda parts dealers, and I've called my dealership. Whenever I search or say "coin tray," they come back with "cup holder?" No.

I'd be thrilled to be shown an online source for the part, as it would almost certainly be cheaper online than at my dealer (who can't even find the part, let alone charge me for it).

Anyone? Bueller?

Why is this so hard?

Heminator — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 13:21:37 -0800

Anybody know how to change the license plates on a '95 Honda Accord? I know this procedure is usually idiot proof, but the top two bolts on the front plate are just just spinning and appear be held from behind by some kind of nut (not that I can see anything to verify this is the case). Trouble is, if there are nuts holding it in place they are well into the bumper assembly totally inaccesible from the engine, on top or underneath.

Curiously, changing the plates is not mentioned in the owners manual, the 1400+ page service manual and Google is a big zilch.

FWIW, bolts are very rusted. Thanks for any help you can give.

Help me install front door speakers on my Accord.

lou — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 19:13:12 -0800

How do I install these speakers on the front doors of my 1999 Honda Accord? Should I even try to do it myself? So here's the situation. I bought a '99 Honda Accord a few years ago, used, and the front door speakers have never worked. (I'm pretty sure there's something in there, though.) I finally decided to get new replacement speakers for the front door, and I got a pair of Sony XSV160HP's at a *really* good price -- it was the store's display model and the last one they had. Unfortunately, that meant it didn't come with instruction manuals, or whatever extra parts would normally be in the box (connectors, clips, wires, etc.). The store's installation fee would be about twice what I paid for the speakers, and since I actually installed a new receiver myself a year ago, I thought I might give it a go myself again. However, I'm stuck. I've got so many questions:

1) Is there a way to get a copy of the XSV160HP's manual? I couldn't find one in my online searches.
2) How do I get inside the car's front doors? There's no visible screws on the panel and grill over the speakers don't appear to come off easily.
3) On the entirely possible chance that this is just something I can't easily DIY, what are recommendations for some reliable and reasonably priced car audio installers around me? I'm the San Francisco Bay Area - preferably East Bay and North Bay (where I live and work, respectively).

And really, any other tips that I might have not even thought to ask about would be welcome too.

Car alarm locks me out; can't start car

kables — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 12:43:47 -0800

My alarm won't let me start my car. What can I do? I have an after-market 1988 Honda Accord LX with a Code Alarm alarm, installed by the original owner. Last month, after 3 1/2 years of ownership, I tried to start it and the alarm cut power to the ignition (I had assumed up to this point that the alarm was disabled, as it had never gone off). After half an hour of randomly flipping switches and pressing buttons (there is one switch and one button under the steering column and a flashing red light to the left of the steering column), I finally got it to start. It ran fine for three weeks, and then, a week a half ago, it did it again. This time, though, I can't get it start.

I have a key fob which unlocks the doors and disarms the alarm. I quit using it about two years ago, but replaced the batteries and tried it last week. It appears to disable the alarm, but the problem persists (I'm still locked from starting the car, and the alarm goes off).

I've tried calling Code Alarm, but have not yet been able to get through to them. I do not know the model number of the alarm, nor do I have any documentation.

Any suggestions? Should I just have it towed to the local Honda dealership and ask them to disable the alarm?

Oh that... it's just my transmission destroying itself

!Jim — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:23:05 -0800

My '98 Honda Accord is intermittently making a rather loud clicking noise when I shift it in to reverse. Help me diagnose the problem. I have a 1998 Honda Accord EX V-6 (~135K Miles). Sometimes when I shift the car into reverse, it makes a very loud noise (as in so loud, that passengers will sometimes gasp slightly). I've taken it into my mechanic, but since the noise is intermittent, I can't reproduce it for him. Does anyone have an idea what this could be or how I could be of assistance to my mechanic in diagnosing or reproducing it?

About the noise:
It sounds kind of like a *CRACK* or a very pronounced click. It only happens when shifting into reverse.

what's the dealio with my honda accord?

sammich — Tue, 23 May 2006 01:17:15 -0800

Honda Filter: Since replacing my driver door mirror, I've been having weird coincidental electrical problems on my 98 accord 4-door. So I replaced the driver side door mirrors about three weeks ago. Everything seemed great after putting it back together.

Then a week later the power door locks ceased to function.

Then last week I've noticed the master power window controls (on the driver door) will not control any of the windows on the left passenger side, only the right side works. The power windows work fine when controled by their respective door switches.

Now my belkin ipod auto-kit makes a loud low frequency clicking noise every second along with a steady high frequency background whine (this auto kit has a little built in amp with a line out). But the clicking only happens half the time. Usually I can get it to quiet by unplugging/plugging back in or killing the motor and restarting.

I checked all the fuses for my windows and locks and they work fine. I even switched them with new ones just in case.

I would like to think all these events are coincidental. None of these problems happened all at once but within a month. There are only two cable connections attached to the inside door frame and they only go in one way. I couldn't have possibly screwed that up. Or could I?

Also, I could probably get better discussion about this on a car talk forum. Any one have good ones to recommend regarding Hondas? Something general. It seems like most of them are for modification enthusiasts.

Finding an auto part

hodyoaten — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:43:34 -0800

How can I get a replacement hood (with the right color) for my 1995 Honda Accord? By "hood" I'm talking about that big flap that opens and closes over the engine. The one I have got caved in by a tree limb last year and it just needs to be replaced. The issues:

(1) I'm aware I can go to a junkyard. However I live 100 miles away from a big city and have no idea how to conduct this goose chase in the most efficient and successful way possible. These places seem to get lots of phone calls and I'm guessing if they're swamped they're just going to say they don't have it to get me off the phone.

(2) I need some way to figure out part interchangeability between model years: i.e. if a 1996 or 1994 Accord hood will work.

So what's the ideal way to search for this part? Is there a junkyard parts network online where I can do it over the Internets? I don't mind paying extra as long as it's not like double rate.

How can I find great-quality windshield wiper blades?

stuckie — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 18:10:54 -0800

How can I find out who makes great-quality windshield wiper blades? I live in Seattle, and it's been raining for about a month and a half straight now. Stock wiper blades on my '03 Honda Accord are not bad, but they're getting old.

What I USED to do in that situation is just listen to whatever sales-pitch the oil-change-people would give about "great wiper technology" and after a week they'd start streaking & squeaking and I would quietly seeth at my gullibility. Those days are over.

I'm skeptical of any information on a manufacturer's website, but can't seem to find any Consumer-Reports-like comparison about what makes blades "quality" or not, or any "user reviews" of particular makes & models (like I was easily able to find with, say, tires)

I don't mind paying for quality. I just spent $600 for 4 Goodyear TripleTred tires (#1 Consumer Reports-rated) for their longevity and the confidence that I'm going to be able to stop at least as fast as the person in front of me on the rainy freeway.

Good would be some firsthand reviews of particular blades (especially if the reviewers have also had some experience with BAD blades).

Better would be links to sites or articles that independently compare and review them according to qualitative measures, especially as it relates to heavy use & rain (as opposed to snow, I guess, which we don't get much of)... or message-boards or topics that deal with this issue.

Any ideas?

Honda Accord shaking

omair — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 21:29:54 -0800

I have a 1998 Honda Accord automatic sedan. When I am driving, it's pretty much fine...but when I stop at a traffic light or stop sign, the car starts to shake. When I start moving again, the shaking stops. If I am stopped (and the car is shaking) and I put the car in neutral or park, the shaking goes away considerably. Why does this happen? The one search result from Google that I thought would be useful points to a dead page. So I thought I would ask here. I just want an idea of what this could be so I can do some research before taking it to a mechanic and pretend that I know something about cars. And then maybe he won't try to trick me into getting things fixed that I don't really need to worry about. Thank you!

Cooling Fan

jmd82 — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 15:16:56 -0800

My 1994 Honda Accord's cooling fan won't turn off after I turn the car off. However, if I remove the cooling fan fuse, the fan will shut off. The fuse does not appear to be blown. When I put the fuse back in, it sparks like a mad mo'fo' and the cooling fan turns back on. Any ideas what the problem is and how much it'de run me for a repair or is there a quick fix for it?