Hi everyone- nice to be on the forum. I have a friend with a 1992-96 civic that seems to be having some O2 related problems.

The garages that looked at the car both said that their OBD scanners cannot read deep enough into the codes to determine the nature of the fault- although the suspicion is a fault somewhere in the wiring harness. Two different mechanics recommended a visit to a dealership for the reason that they have some special "Honda Factory" scanner that can read things the regular OBD's can't.

As a lifetime VW driver, this is totally news to me- above the $75 jalopy units, a VAG is a VAG is a VAG.

The dealership is quoting $3000.00 to fix the issue, which needless to say, sounds in excess for a 15 year old car.

Can someone please explain to me the story with the scanners, and if it's true that only dealerships have some magical scanner that the rest of the repair world has no access to? Someone's inspection sticker hangs in the balance, so any insight would be HUGELY appreciated.

Thanks in advance- Ric

 

95 and younger is OBDI and you can use a paperclip............

There is nothing special beyond it's Honda specific, the code lists and the problems are easily searchable.

Just find the exact code and search on H-T


FYI you're in the Accord section, not a Civic section

 

The dealerships do have access to an OBD1 scanner. Its called a PGM Tester. Really cool tool! Although as far as test equipment goes, it would be considered ancient. It plugs into the three pin connector. With the PGM tester, you can access codes, read freeze data, read live data, take snapshots and perform onboard tests. But you dont really need that type of scanner to test an O2 circuit. Just a good DVOM and an electrical schematic.

 

Yup the pgm tester is nice, obd1 hondas provide a ton of info through the 3 pin dlc. pretty much everything obd2 does except lt/st fuel trims and monitor status. I have one with the honda program card, shows tons of stuff + abs, atts, srs systems etc. The tester was factory until the end of 2003. The card in mine is only updated to 2001. The tester itself is based off of a vetronix mts 3100.

As for the op, if they cant figure out how to use a meter or better yet a scope and an exhaust analyzer and propane shots to check if the o2 is responding properly to rich and lean conditions or reacting too slowly you should find a new mechanic. Theres no need to go to a dealer.