tedj1957

I have a 2002 CR-V with 113,000 miles. Several months ago my check engine light came on, I took it to the dealer and they said I needed a new O2 sensor. Then about a month ago the light came on again with two codes P1298 and P0420. They didn't do anything but reset the codes and I went on my merry way....for about 3 weeks then it came on again with the same codes. The 3rd time as soon as I could (8.5 miles) I hit an auto parts store and they read the codes for me. The dealer wanted me to do that so they could see if one code was coming on before the other. After the 3rd time they re-soldered something in the ELD. Well tonight it came on again and I hit the auto parts store (got there in 5.3 miles this time) and the same codes came on. Now what is uniform about everytime this has happened is that we have had a heavy rain which I drove thought and 2 days after the rain stopped the check engine light has come on. The dealer doesn't seem to think this is an issue, which I could see if it was one time or even twice...but FOUR times.... The car is running fine, I haven't noticed anything different about it, doesn't run rough. The last time after they reset the check engine light, I drove it for several days (~80 miles) and then they did the North Carolina State Inspection and it passed. Don't know if this makes any difference or not but I am not wild about replacing the catalytic converter.

Any advice out there?

Thanks,

TJ

quickhondaz

according to one of our service bulletins, the p1298 code is for a faulty ELD and should be replaced, not soldered. Honda used to have to replaced the whole underhood fuse box in order to do this, but now there are replacement ELD units. now as to why it comes on with that code after it rains is a little bit of a mystery, but my guess is that water is getting into something and causing it to trigger that code and possibly the p0420 code also. I did have an issue with the first gen CRV setting a lean code a few years ago after the oil was changed and we used brake clean to remove the oil runoff from the back of the block. the problem turned out to be the brake clean was making its way into the o2 sensor circuitry and causing it to send false readings to the ecu which triggered the check eng light before I could even get the car out of the shop. water is a little more dense than brake clean which could explain why it may take a little longer to cause it. also, the connectors for the o2 sensors are out in the open on the bottom of the vehicle. if you look under the passenger side towards the front and just inside the "frame" you will see these two connectors. check them for any damage and you may even want to unplug them to see if they have any signs of moisture in them.

hope this helps...

tedj1957

Thank you, will check it out.