Hello honda people,
I need and appreciate in advance any help you guys can give me with my honda troubles. I bought a 2002 honda accord 2.3 with the ulev engine with the 5spd transmission. The guy I bought it from replaced the bad ulev engine with a jdm vtec due to bad rings and what not. He also replaced both o2 sensors, throttle position sensor, map sensor, and cleaned the idle valve.

It runs great and has no issues on highways. Just at idle its a little rough, if i rev it the rpms drop below the norm and come back up to norm. Or with the ac it jumps around a little. I had changed the oil/filter, spark plugs, transmission fluid. About 70 miles from the purchase the engine light came on and I got it scanned. 1 terrible unlucky code, the p0420... catalyst threshold below etcetciforgottherest. I got it dropped and drove again till it popped up.Trying to save some money, I found a really cheap muffler/cat shop garage where i got a replacement cat for $170. They cut out my old cat and welded in a new one. They drilled a hole for the o2 sensor, cleared the computer and sent me out the door. I drove it around more and no engine light but when I tried getting scanned, they said the computer isn't ready yet. Fast forward close to 250 miles and the computer is still not ready. Help me folks. I need to pass inspection to avoid tickets and this is stressing me out.

 

You need to go on the freeway set your cruise control and go 40 to 60 miles and you should be good..

 

which readiness tests are not completing ?

 

Originally there were 3, now 2. "EGR system" and "o2 sensor"
not sure which o2. The mechanic said i just need to drive more

 

you could have an exhaust leak

you can try seafoaming on a cold start and see if you got a leak coming out of the exhaust

scan for codes

 

How to Set Readiness Codes:

The vehicle has certain ''readiness codes'' that are part of the on-board diagnostics for the emissions systems. If the vehicle's battery has been disconnected or gone dead if the DTCs have been cleared, or if the ECM/PCM has been reset, these codes are reset. In some states, part of the emissions testing is to make sure these codes are set to complete, the vehicle may fail the test. If all of them are not set to complete,the vehicle may fail the test, the test cannot be finished.To check if the readiness codes are set, turn the ignititon switch ON (II), but do not start the engine. The MIL will come on for 15-20 seconds. If it then goes off, the readiness codes are set. If it blinks several times, one or more readiness codes are not set to complete. To set each code, drive the vehicle or run the engine as described in the following procedures.

EGR Monitor Code

NOTE:

• Do not turn the ignition switch OFF.
• When the battery negative cable is disconnected, all readiness codes are cleared.

1. Connect the scan tool to the Data Link Connector.
2. Start the engine, and hold it at 3,000 rpm with no load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator fan comes on.
3. Drive at a steady speed with the transmission in D4 position between 50-62 mph (80-100 km/h) for more than 10 seconds.
4. With the A/T in D4 position, or M/T in 5th gear, decelerate from 62 mph (100 km/h) by completely releasing the throttle for at least 5 seconds. If the engine is stopped during this procedure, repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. Check for the readiness code with the scan tool.