jmc55

I'm quite sure this has been thoroughly discussed and beaten to death but I'm still confused.

I just picked my car up from a service garage where they replaced an oxygen sensor so it would pass an emissions test. When I got there the service manager says the light is still on and it will take anywhere from 150 - 250 miles for the computer to relearn itself. Once learned, they can perform the test. Another tech said it only needed 3 - 4 start cycles for the computer to get up to speed, then a tech at the counter said, after everyone cleared out, 'that's crap...they can reset the codes now if they want'.

Is any of what I'm describing sound legit? Any suggestions? I need to renew my state tags by the end of the month and the emissions test is required.

Thanks.

90sedan

Well, a couple of them were right. But they still sound like dumbasses, and i wouldn't trust them working on any of my vehicles.

Hopefully they replaced the sensor, and hopefully they replaced the correct one to begin with. We will pretend that they did, and in which case, they should have cleared the code for you. Any obdII scan tool will be able to clear the code, so the same tool they used to check your code, can clear your code.

And for whatever reason they didn't decide to clear the code is beyond me, which is half the job. But it is true that after several complete drive cycles the pcm will remove the CEL from the dash if it no longer detects the same issue. However, the code will only be move from permement dtc to history dtc and can still show up on scan tools.

You need to clear the code yourself, or take it back to the shop who did the work and tell them to clear the code. Afterall, that new o2 sensor may not have fixed the issue. As it could have been an electrical fault elsewhere in the o2 sensor circuit (not likely, but its possible). And without clearing the code and running the vehicle (testdriving) you cannot be sure the issue is fixed.

HONDAPARTSMANMIKE

^^ i agree!!

jmc55

Thanks for your time and insight. According to the tech there were two codes: P0141 and P1009. Does it seem reasonable that the sensor would repair both? They thought so.

You also mentioned that I could clear the code myself. Would I need that tool or would pulling a fuse/disconnecting the battery do the trick?

Thank you.

Ross 2.0

P0141 is for the secondary sensor. That's in the converter and the connector is under the passengers seat.
P1009 is for the VTC actuator and is not related to the O2 sensor.
Check your oil.

jmc55

Thanks again for the responses.

The car went through 5 or so start cycles and the check engine light finally went off. Tonight as I was heading over to get the emissions test, the light came back on. It was off for aprox a day and a half.

I had the oil changed this past weekend.

Any ideas?

90sedan

You'll need to pull the code first for us to help.

You can return it to that shop, or you can take it to a local parts store (autozone) and ask if they can pull the code for you. They should be able to do this for free. With the code, we can help troubleshoot.

jmc55

the code was p1001 - vtc something.

update: so, they replaced the new oxygen sensor they put in the other day because the check engine light was coming on and off. they put in a vtc sensor and cleaned or replaced an oil screen. picked it up yesterday and they are still telling me i have to go through several start cycles before they can do the emissions test. prior to the vtc sensor/valve replacement my rpm would hit around 8 or so at idle. now it drops down to 4 then back up during idle and gear changes to a point of close to stalling. geez! i give up!

all this and my state tags have now run out.

ideas?

90sedan

You sure it wasn't p1009 like you had posted earlier? That would explain why they cleaned the vtc strainer screen. It sounds like once again, they only did half the job. The idle issue is likely due to them resetting the pcm and not performing the idle learn and CKP pattern learn procedures. These steps need to be done after resetting the pcm/ecm to insure a nice smooth idle.

Here are the steps you need to take to perform the procedures. I would suggest doing these yourself as the grease monkeys at that shop don't have a clue.

Idle learn:

1. Make sure all electrical items (A/C, audio, rear window defogger, lights, etc.) are off.
2. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.
3. Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and wait 2 seconds.
4. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, or until the engine coolant temperature reaches 194 ºF (90 ºC).
5. Let the engine idle for about 5 minutes with the throttle fully closed.
   NOTE: If the radiator fan comes on, do not include its running time in the 5 minutes.

CKP pattern learn:

1. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator fan comes on.
2. Test-drive the vehicle on a level road: Decelerate (with the throttle fully closed) from an engine speed of 2,500 rpm down to 1,000 rpm with A/T in 2 position, or M/T in 1st gear.
3. Repeat step 2 several times.
4. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
5. Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and wait for 30 seconds.

Try those and see if that helps.

jmc55

is this a handheld device? something i could rent possibly? will disconnecting the battery for a while reset the codes.

yes, i meant 1009

90sedan

Opps sorry. No, you won't be able to purchase/rent a HDS, it's the Honda scan tool for dealerships. But you can purchase/rent/borrow a standard scan tool that will erase the code.

Unless the shop performed other work besides just cleaning the strainer screen, i can't think of anything they could have done to mess up the idle besides resetting the pcm afterwards. Attempt those steps and see if it helps, otherwise it will probably be another trip back to the shop.

thisaznboi88

hey just wondering when u got it replaced was the o2 a wideband? I wanted to get the car tuned and people were telling me its a narrow band and some say its a wideband.

bryse68

primary 02 sensor is wideband. the one replaced was secondary, common on those style accords

thisaznboi88

Ty sir. time to have my car tuned now.

I have hopefully I can get up to 180whp intake, tsx im, p2r gasket 3 of them *injector base to head, Injector base to manifold, manifold to TB* DC header, 2.25in exhuast 18in resonator, and TL exhuast with cut out in the bump, and last is apexi safc2 and a good tune.