NOFX

I see a lot of the same questions and issues over and over again, so I figure I would make this thread. This should also help future buyers of '92-'95 Civics, '96-'00 Civics and '93-'97 del Sols.

This is a resource thread. PLEASE POST QUESTIONS REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR CAR(S) IN YOUR OWN THREAD. IT WILL GET FAR MORE ATTENTION WITH IT'S OWN THREAD.

If you know of a common problem and know a thread that mentioned how to fix it, please link to that thread and I'll add it to the solutions links under each description.

I know del Sols must fall victim to more problems too, but I can't find documentation right off hand. Please check applicable systems on Civics! Remember that del Sols have engines available in both '92-'95 Civics and '96-'00 Civics, so they likely have the same issues.

Some TSBs list only certain years, but it is apparent that some of these issues are found in all years of a generation even if the TSB says otherwise.

We might as well also include TSBs and recalls.

*Tegger.com appears to be a defunct site now. You might have luck searching for the TSB number or you can get a print out from Honda.



'96-'00 Civic Issues


ENGINE & RELATED

'96-'98 non-VTEC develops rattle from A pipe.
Heat shield has rusted or cracked. Replace the heat shield.
TSB 98-014

Rear main oil seal leaks.
Rear main oil seal is contaminated. Replace seal.
TSB 01-040


COOLING

Coolant leaks from reservoir.
Flashing on the reservoir cap. Add plastic flange onto cap outlet.
TSB 00-025

A/C pulley growls.
Faulty A/C idler pulley bearing. Replace pulley.
TSB 00-003


FUEL / EMISSIONS

Accelerator Pedal feels rough or notchy.
Replace throttle cable if affected.
TSB 99-047


CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION

D-Series manual transmissions begin to make a grinding or winding sound.
Bad input shaft bearing. Honda says it's a design issue.
(NO TSB.)

Clutch pedal creaks.
Coils of clutch pedal assist spring are rubbing together or clutch release fork pivot bolt is dry.
TSB 97-055

Torque converter doesn't lock up in cold weather (auto only , not including HX).
Faulty thermostat keeps engine from reaching normal operating temperatures in cold weather.
TSB 97-025

Automatic transmisisomn shifts harshly or stays in first gear.
Contaminated linear colenoid and associated passages inside transmission or broken spring internal to transmission.
TSB 00-012


BRAKES

Brake indicator light comes on and goes off.
Master cylinder reservoir filter is not alloweing the cap to vent properly. Replace filter.
TSB 03-078


STEERING

(none)


ELECTRICAL

MIL Is On With Blown Fuse 15 ('96-'98, '99 see list)
Engine wire harness is rubbing on the intake manifold bracket. Repair and protect wiring.
TSB 99-029


BODY

Hatches experience leaks into the hatch.
Replace taillight gaskets.
(NO TSB.)

Headlights become yellowed and fogged with age.
Polish or sand with different grades of sandpaper.
(NO TSB.)

Leaks coming from moonroof.
Check to make sure moonroof drains in front and rear are not clogged.
(NO TSB.)

Rearview mirror is loose.
Common fix includes wrapping ball with electrical tape.
(NO TSB.)

Cupholder lid doesn't want to open or doesn't want to close.
Replace the entire cupholder section. Replacement latch mechanism might also be available from Honda.
(NO TSB.)

Sagging Headliner ('96-'97)
Headliner is too long. Replace headliner.
TSB 97-056e

Wind Noise From the B-Pillar ('96-'97)
Gap in between the front or rear glass run channel and door frame. Install foam, adjust regulator, glass, front, center and/or rear channels.
TSB 97-053

Headlight Trim Is Loose ('96-'97)
Poor adhesion of trim to the headlight. Reattach trim to the headlight.
TSB 97-042

Turn Signal Does Not Cancel ('96)
Cancel sleeve inside combination switch shrinks and sticks to the assembly. Replace the combination switch assembly.
TSB 97-007

Windows Bind or Come Out of the Run Channels ('96-'98 sedan)
Faulty run channels. Replace run channels if damaged. Inspect regulators and replace if damaged.
TSB 98-082

Front Windows Bind or Have Come Out of the Run Channel ('96-'98 coupe)
Faulty run channels. Inspect regulator and run channels and replace if damaged.
TSB 97-021

Noise From the Rear Shelf ('98 coupe)
Ribs on the bottom of the rear shelf are touching the sheet metal. Apply sealer to the bottom edges of the rear shelf.
TSB 98-079

Hood Release Handle Breaks
Plastic handle breaks. Replace entire cable assembly from front of hood to inside car. Take care to pull OUT on the handle and NOT UP in the future.
TSB 99-089

Popping Noise or Vibration From the Driver's Footrest ('99, '00 see list)
Friction between inner and outer layers of sheet metal of the floor plan. Use a hammer and punch to peen the floor pan sheet metal.
TSB 99-073

SAFETY RECALL:Civic Floor Mat
Floor mat can creep under pedals and cause them to not return to idle position, thereby causing the car to continue to accelerate. Use anchor kit to secure mat.
TSB 99-034

Driver's Power Mirror Vibrates at speeds over 65mph ('96-'99, '00 see list)
Mirror is loose in it's holder. Replace the mirror holder.
TSB 99-002

Squeak From the Moonroof When Sunshade is Open and Glass is Closed (EX)
Install squeak reduction tape around the moonroof opening.
TSB 00-095

Deformed Windshield Molding ('98-'00)
Inner lip of molding is folded, causing a poor fit against the body. Remove entire lip and fill the channel with silicone.
TSB 00-064

Wind Whistle at the Top of the Windshield
Vibration of the upper windshield molding. Apply sealant under the upper windshield molding.
TSB 00-021

Rear Doors Are Hard to Open (see list)
Rear outer handle rod is misadjusted. Adjust the rear outer handle rod.
TSB 00-013

Fuse Box Cover Falls Off ('96-'99, '00 see list)
Replace the spring clips on the cover.
TSB 00-007

Rattle From the Hood ('96-'99, '00 see list)
Excessive striker-to-latch clearance. Adjust the hood bump stops and hood latch.
TSB 00-004


BODY ELECTRICAL

Poor Radio Reception ('99)
Center conductor in the mast antenna lead is touching the shielding. Clean the mast attaching screws or replace the mast antenna.
TSB 99-094

Ignition Switch Binds ('96-'97)
Ignition binds or is difficult to turn on. Replace the ignition switch.
TSB 97-012

Key Cannot Be Removed From the Ignition Switch ('96-'99 with Automatic Transmission and Shift/Ignition Lock)
Shift cable is out of adjustment, preventing the pin from engaging in the key lock switch. Adjust the shift cable.
TSB 97-009

SAFETY RECALL: Ignition Switch ('98-'99)
Ignition switch can wear prematurely and eventually cause the engine to stall. Replace the electrical ignition switch.
TSB 02-031

Windshield Wipers Do Not Work Properly ('98-'99, '00 see list)
Park position switch has broken within the wiper motor. Replace the wiper motor.
TSB 00-031

Civic and CR-V Immobilizer System ('99)
(Information on system components, adding and replacing kets and replacing components.)
TSB 99-901


SUSPENSION

Clunk From Rear Suspension
Broken rear trailing arm bushing(s). Replace the rear trailing arm bushings.
TSB 00-006


RESTRAINTS

Slow seatbelt retraction.
Honda will replace these for free after a quick test by a technician.
(NO TSB.)

Seatbelts twist.
Remove seatbelt from mounts and untwist.
(NO TSB.)

Noncompliance Recall: Civic Rear Seat Belt Buckles ('00)
Lock bars in rear seat belts, which locks the seat belt tongue to the buckle, were improperly made and might unlatch. Replace affected belts.
TSB 02-004


'92-'95 Civic Issues

ENGINE

(none)


COOLING

(none)


FUEL / EMISSIONS

(none)


CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION

D-Series manual transmissions begin to make a grinding or winding sound.
Bad input shaft bearing. Honda says it's a design issue.
(NO TSB.)

RECALL: Automatic transmission shift linkage ('92-'94 see list)
Retaining clip that connects shift cable to shift lever actuating rod might have insufficient retention pressure and could come off after repeated shift lever operation. Replace adjuster pin.
TSB 94-010


BRAKES

(none)


STEERING

Leak From the Power Steering Pump
O-ring between pump housing and cover is leaking. Replace o-ring.
TSB 98-023


ELECTRICAL

(none)


BODY

- Leaks coming from moonroof.
Check to make sure moonroof drains in front and rear are not clogged.
(NO TSB.)

Wind Whistle at the Top of the Windshield
Vibration of the upper windshield molding. Apply sealant under the upper windshield molding.
TSB 00-021


BODY ELECTRICAL

(none)


SUSPENSION

Clunk From Rear Suspension
Broken rear trailing arm bushing(s). Replace the rear trailing arm bushings.
TSB 00-006


RESTRAINTS

- Slow seatbelt retraction.
Honda will replace these for free.
(NO TSB.)

- Seatbelts twist.
Remove seatbelt and untwist.
(NO TSB.)


'93-'97 del Sol Issues

ENGINE

(none)


COOLING

(none)


FUEL / EMISSIONS

(none)


CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION

D-Series manual transmissions begin to make a grinding or winding sound.
Bad input shaft bearing. Honda says it's a design issue.
(NO TSB.)


BRAKES

(none)


STEERING

(none)


ELECTRICAL

(none)


BODY

Targa top seals leak.
Seals must be replaced. Later years do not have issues.
(NO TSB.)


BODY ELECTRICAL

(none)


SUSPENSION

(none)


RESTRAINTS

(none)

00ekcoupe

b16a3delsol

thanks man good to know info

slomob18b

Awesome thread! Just what I was looking for as my sister's civic has a couple of those issues.

206 EH2

I wondered why the tranny in my eh2 was so noisy.

Great info.

instructor74

anything that goes for the 92-95 civic can be aplied to the 93-97 del sol they use all the same engines and suspention parts

HondamanXxX

This is problem one of the most important threads on this board. This is the information that can answer a million of our questions. Thanks NOFX for receiving this info.

This should deff be a sticky.

choadtx

Great write up, many questions answered.

Quick question about the AC Compressor growl. Mine only makes a loud growling when the AC compressor is on.....is that still the idler bearing making the noise while under the load of the compressor on???

94EG8

Excellent thread, lots of valuable info.

gtstwincam

Speedometer inaccurate...

No solution for fix

-__-

cool. now i have MORE stuff to worry about lol.
jk good info. bump

S_F

My seat belts don't retract properly. They never have. I thought it was because they are old. So I can just bring it to a Honda dealership and they will fix it?

vinnyme4

extremely helpfull information

TwoFacedCustoms

I'm really interested in this free seatbelt retraction replacement as well...

Do you just tell them it's a standard recall and it should be no problem or do you have to get kind of pushy about it?

lzrd17

that was extremely helpful info. as for the plastic headlights being foggy, u can buff them out with medium grade rubbing compound. i suggest parking your car in direct sunlight as it softens the plastic allowing more haze to be removed. the more u do it the clearer they will be. Mothers Aluminum Rim Polish works better but it costs more. hope it helps

Dale_K

Please post your experience with the dealer after you complain. I have a used 2000 SI and the seatbelts don't retract either. If it's free fix I'd like to know.

97twodoor

This made me laugh a little

TwoFacedCustoms

Will do...I should be heading up there within the week I have to get some little odds and ends...to help even further if they fix it for free I'll try to get some type of receipt and I'll scan it in so you can show it to your dealer if they give you any guff about it.

NOFX

Eran, who lives with me, got his seatbelts in his 1997 CX hatch replaced for free when they didn't retract properly. This was probably about three years ago.

The service man sat in the seat, pulled the belt out and watched how it retracted. Once they decided they needed to be replaced they did it free of charge.

TwoFacedCustoms

That's awesome...it's rare the dealership ever gives back after smashing it up on prices for everything else.

NOFX

It's considered a liability to Honda.

My dealership is always great to me.

I realize that most of the people working for Honda have no control over the prices of the parts or cars. I also realize that sometimes Honda offers a better product. Not all the time, but some of the time. It doesn't hurt to price shop. (ex. My '93 Accord needed a new muffler. Cheap from Autozone, but needs to be welded and probably only had a 90 day warranty; $150 from Honda with a lifetime warranty!) Better yet, if I need to replace one lost bolt (for example), I don't have to figure out the size. They already know.

TwoFacedCustoms

Very reasonably spoken. I've just been frustrated with parts being mixed up alot I suppose after several explainations. Everyone else seems to do well with theirs...and mine's like a 35 minute drive or so...so it sucks when I drive all the way out for a "we'll try to get that cleared up if you can come back in a couple days"

I generally stick to Majestic Honda now unless it's immediate needs or whatnot.

I'm getting off topic so I'll stop now...thanks again for the tip...good thread.

EMTof DEATH

good thread really helps out. just more things for me to pull my hair out for.. lmao

NOFX

Glad to help out.

I cleaned up the formatting of the first post.

Also, looks like tegger.com is down. Please Google the TSB numbers. You might have luck finding information there or you could ask your local Honda dealership for a print out, which they've given me for free in the past.

TwoFacedCustoms, if you have continual trouble with your dealership I would suggest you work your way up the chain of command with your complaints. It's reasonable when there are two choices for a part on your car and neither you or the parts man can figure out which you need, so the wrong one ends up there (though you should be told ahead of time), but if they're being difficult then it should be brought to the attention of the manager or possibly higher up.

Good luck on your troubles.

EJeff8

The jumping run channels have happened on my '00 EJ8. Honda's weakness is really in their doors.

This happened on my rear winshield, I was just planning on replacing it.


When I first pull out when the car is relatively cold, I hear and feel some clunking in the rear suspension, then when I get to about 10 mph or at a calm roll, I don't hear or feel it again till I start the car and drive off again. Would this be the issue?