98CivicTech

I just bought my first Civic and I'm having some strange electrical issues with it. I was driving under normal conditions earlier today and my speedometer just quit working. The check engine light came on simultaneously. I scanned the codes and found the following:

'98 Civic DX

PO141 ~ O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2)

P1298 ~ Electrical Load Detector Circuit High Voltage

PO135 ~ O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

I replaced both the battery and alternator yesterday. The alternator was bad and I had to nurse the car home from 6 hours away, killing the battery in the process. Both oxygen sensors would not go bad simultaneously, and I'm pretty lost as to where to even begin with this one. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Pothole987

theres a wiring harness that chaffs on the steering wheel bracket. sounds like your having the same problems.

98CivicTech

You're having the same problems I take it?

98CivicTech

No one else? lol

90Rexx

more info please on model and trim level engine ect. if that harness is good check your battery ground and all ( 3 i believe ) chassis grounds.

98CivicTech

Thanks for the help guys! I found the Viper alarm hack job when I looked for the harness on the steering wheel bracket, so I replaced all of the half-soldered wire mess to see if that had anything to do with the parasitic drain. It was not the problem, but I'll be looking at the grounds tomorrow morning.

The car is a '98 DX 1.6/5-speed, in completely stock trim.

Jimmy

iTrader: (5)

Hm.. Have you replaced the VSS? Pull the connector/clip off of the VSS sensor and inspect the prongs.. there should be 3.. I've seen them break from corrosion.. and break off into the plug.

sql_civic

iTrader: (3)

The thermostat housing ground will affect your speedometer and other things so you might start with that one.

98CivicTech

I checked and cleaned all of the major grounds. They were all fine, even the one on the thermostat housing. The VSS looks fine, all of the prongs are intact and the plug is good. This is one of the weirdest problems I've ever come across.

Former User

Is fuse 15 under the dash blown? As suggested by Pothole987, do yourself a favor by carefully reading this:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/civic/x99-029e.pdf

98CivicTech

Thanks for everything guys. That TSB was the answer. The car is runnin great now! I appreciate everyone's help. Where do you guys find TSB's? I used to have access to AllData but I don't anymore...

sql_civic

iTrader: (3)

Awesome!!!

98CivicTech

Apparently I spoke too soon. The car was fine until it hit below 0 again here. I went out and started it and left defrost on. I came back out, and it was idling like crap. I turned off the heat and it started running perfect. Until I turned the heat on again... Then I just turned the heat off altogether and started driving to school. It just died all of a sudden not even a mile away without any warning. Battery was completely dead about 7% charged. I charged it fully and every time I start the car now, the battery light comes on but it's very dim. It seems to get brighter and dim intermittently. It only lights up fully when its completely dead... The alternator is not charging and both battery and alternator are brand new... Fuse 15 is fine and my wires are all taped up.. I'm lost. Again...

Former User

Did you install new belt with the new alternator? Is the belt slipping or loose?

Alternatively, sometimes rebuilt alternators are unreliable.

98CivicTech

The belt is tight and it is new. The alternator is new, I know that doesn't mean its perfect but I did test it before I installed it. Everything was fine on the test...

Former User

Recheck the damaged alternator wire that was repaired due to the fuse 15-related short. It now may be broken (open) or disconnected but not short circuiting.

98CivicTech

Thanks again for the help guys. It was the damaged wire. I was careful about repairing it this time around lol...

ASPHALT KNIGHT

This is my first ek i have had 3 eg civics before and never had these problems. I think my car is having the same problem but i have an ex automatic with the (old) style intake manifold. I know that the dx model has a diffrent manifold that sucks from the top. Is this a problem with all the manifolds or just the one that sucks in air at the pass. Side of the car?