Engine vibrating more than usual while idling, malfunction light on
07-09-2010, 09:39 PM
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Engine vibrating more than usual while idling, malfunction light on
I have a 2003 TL-S with 76000 miles. Today, I started the car, and after a few seconds could suddenly feel the engine vibrating more than usual. At the same time wifey smelt some gas too. We were going out, so decided to take the other car.
When I came back and started the car, the engine vibrates more than usual right from the start. Took it for a short ride - the "Malfunction Light" came on. Then the vsa light and the triangle light came on. I've check the fuel cap and it's closed properly. Still smell gas when the car is running.
Now if I start it, the "Malfunction Light" is permanently on. Dealer is more than 100 miles away and don't really trust the local Honda dealer. What should I do? Dunno how to check codes etc. Can AutoZone guys help read codes etc.?
Any help or pointers would be really appreciated.
TIA
When I came back and started the car, the engine vibrates more than usual right from the start. Took it for a short ride - the "Malfunction Light" came on. Then the vsa light and the triangle light came on. I've check the fuel cap and it's closed properly. Still smell gas when the car is running.
Now if I start it, the "Malfunction Light" is permanently on. Dealer is more than 100 miles away and don't really trust the local Honda dealer. What should I do? Dunno how to check codes etc. Can AutoZone guys help read codes etc.?
Any help or pointers would be really appreciated.
TIA
07-09-2010, 10:05 PM
#2
Senior Moderator
Autozone will read codes. Kinda sounds like a misfire caused by a coilpack that went bad. Go get the codes read and we can help you further
07-09-2010, 11:11 PM
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07-10-2010, 02:29 AM
#4
in Ca. they cant read the codes for you at parts stores anymore-
its to generate biz for smog repeair shops and screw the public..but you can buy a code reader yourself--its stupid
its to generate biz for smog repeair shops and screw the public..but you can buy a code reader yourself--its stupid
07-10-2010, 11:22 AM
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P0300
P1399.
Now when I start the car, the "malfunction light" is permanently on. The VSA light and the triangle come on after few minutes of idling.
The person at the AutoZone said try cleaning the EGR. Not sure what to do. Called the dealer 100 miles away - said it's not safe to drive the car with those codes, so get it towed there. The local Honda dealer can't do anything before tuesday.
Thanks for your help in advance.
07-10-2010, 12:14 PM
#6
see the Garage link to EGR cleaning and Thermoblock spacer install
It shows the egr port cleaning which we need to do every 75k miles or so
The ports get clogged and can make the car run bad
Easy DIY with hand tools- socket set-torque wrench, 3 cans carb cleaner and wire coat hanger- no kidding
about 2 hours total time
gas smell is not a normal symptom that I recall for egr plugged
Thats more often coil failure- the car has 1 coil on each spark plug
If you can or get a neighbor to remove spark plugs and see if one is wet and fuel smelling- thats the bad coil
buy a new spark plug and coil at any parts store- 8 for the plug 50 for the coil
100 mile tow is insane without a little snooping under the hood first
Dealer wants the car in their hands!! you at their mercy
see any fuel leaking? lines to rail connection at the intake manifold
May require removal of 4 10mm head bolts on plastic cover for engine- then you can see whats going on
start the engine- see anything wierd?
any small import shops near you?
side note- have you ckd if you are part of the Recall for timing belt pulley- some 03s get a free service from that!
It shows the egr port cleaning which we need to do every 75k miles or so
The ports get clogged and can make the car run bad
Easy DIY with hand tools- socket set-torque wrench, 3 cans carb cleaner and wire coat hanger- no kidding
about 2 hours total time
gas smell is not a normal symptom that I recall for egr plugged
Thats more often coil failure- the car has 1 coil on each spark plug
If you can or get a neighbor to remove spark plugs and see if one is wet and fuel smelling- thats the bad coil
buy a new spark plug and coil at any parts store- 8 for the plug 50 for the coil
100 mile tow is insane without a little snooping under the hood first
Dealer wants the car in their hands!! you at their mercy
see any fuel leaking? lines to rail connection at the intake manifold
May require removal of 4 10mm head bolts on plastic cover for engine- then you can see whats going on
start the engine- see anything wierd?
any small import shops near you?
side note- have you ckd if you are part of the Recall for timing belt pulley- some 03s get a free service from that!
Last edited by 01tl4tl; 07-10-2010 at 12:16 PM.
07-10-2010, 02:49 PM
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see the Garage link to EGR cleaning and Thermoblock spacer install
It shows the egr port cleaning which we need to do every 75k miles or so
The ports get clogged and can make the car run bad
Easy DIY with hand tools- socket set-torque wrench, 3 cans carb cleaner and wire coat hanger- no kidding
about 2 hours total time
gas smell is not a normal symptom that I recall for egr plugged
Thats more often coil failure- the car has 1 coil on each spark plug
If you can or get a neighbor to remove spark plugs and see if one is wet and fuel smelling- thats the bad coil
buy a new spark plug and coil at any parts store- 8 for the plug 50 for the coil
100 mile tow is insane without a little snooping under the hood first
Dealer wants the car in their hands!! you at their mercy
see any fuel leaking? lines to rail connection at the intake manifold
May require removal of 4 10mm head bolts on plastic cover for engine- then you can see whats going on
start the engine- see anything wierd?
any small import shops near you?
side note- have you ckd if you are part of the Recall for timing belt pulley- some 03s get a free service from that!
It shows the egr port cleaning which we need to do every 75k miles or so
The ports get clogged and can make the car run bad
Easy DIY with hand tools- socket set-torque wrench, 3 cans carb cleaner and wire coat hanger- no kidding
about 2 hours total time
gas smell is not a normal symptom that I recall for egr plugged
Thats more often coil failure- the car has 1 coil on each spark plug
If you can or get a neighbor to remove spark plugs and see if one is wet and fuel smelling- thats the bad coil
buy a new spark plug and coil at any parts store- 8 for the plug 50 for the coil
100 mile tow is insane without a little snooping under the hood first
Dealer wants the car in their hands!! you at their mercy
see any fuel leaking? lines to rail connection at the intake manifold
May require removal of 4 10mm head bolts on plastic cover for engine- then you can see whats going on
start the engine- see anything wierd?
any small import shops near you?
side note- have you ckd if you are part of the Recall for timing belt pulley- some 03s get a free service from that!
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07-10-2010, 02:54 PM
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Never mind - found the link
07-10-2010, 06:53 PM
#9
we were all new at one time and some of us still have strange questions
( Im looking at me!!)
You looked and found the garage
any other specifics ask away!!
( Im looking at me!!)
You looked and found the garage
any other specifics ask away!!
07-10-2010, 06:57 PM
#10
whats google say about those codes? enter acura code + whatever
remember codes are clues not diagnosis!! dont jump on what they say- put it together based on all the clues
the fuel smell thing is really more a coil failure than egr
Trying to save you work today that it doesnt need, vs finding the problem
you say it was a sudden problem- not slowly getting worse over a month?
remember codes are clues not diagnosis!! dont jump on what they say- put it together based on all the clues
the fuel smell thing is really more a coil failure than egr
Trying to save you work today that it doesnt need, vs finding the problem
you say it was a sudden problem- not slowly getting worse over a month?
07-11-2010, 11:27 PM
#11
Do you currently use and have 91 Octane gas?
I have a 2003 TL-S with 76000 miles. Today, I started the car, and after a few seconds could suddenly feel the engine vibrating more than usual. At the same time wifey smelt some gas too. We were going out, so decided to take the other car.
When I came back and started the car, the engine vibrates more than usual right from the start. Took it for a short ride - the "Malfunction Light" came on. Then the vsa light and the triangle light came on. I've check the fuel cap and it's closed properly. Still smell gas when the car is running.
Now if I start it, the "Malfunction Light" is permanently on. Dealer is more than 100 miles away and don't really trust the local Honda dealer. What should I do? Dunno how to check codes etc. Can AutoZone guys help read codes etc.?
Any help or pointers would be really appreciated.
TIA
When I came back and started the car, the engine vibrates more than usual right from the start. Took it for a short ride - the "Malfunction Light" came on. Then the vsa light and the triangle light came on. I've check the fuel cap and it's closed properly. Still smell gas when the car is running.
Now if I start it, the "Malfunction Light" is permanently on. Dealer is more than 100 miles away and don't really trust the local Honda dealer. What should I do? Dunno how to check codes etc. Can AutoZone guys help read codes etc.?
Any help or pointers would be really appreciated.
TIA
07-13-2010, 07:54 PM
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whats google say about those codes? enter acura code + whatever
remember codes are clues not diagnosis!! dont jump on what they say- put it together based on all the clues
the fuel smell thing is really more a coil failure than egr
Trying to save you work today that it doesnt need, vs finding the problem
you say it was a sudden problem- not slowly getting worse over a month?
remember codes are clues not diagnosis!! dont jump on what they say- put it together based on all the clues
the fuel smell thing is really more a coil failure than egr
Trying to save you work today that it doesnt need, vs finding the problem
you say it was a sudden problem- not slowly getting worse over a month?
07-13-2010, 08:02 PM
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Anyway - they started looking at it today and told me over the phone that they found a dead mouse and lot of mouse droppings and wires have been chewed up. I'll hear more tomorrow.
I know they maybe taking me for a ride - but me being lazy asked for it. I still feel my car is 8 years new and not ready to DIY it yet in the fear I wont be able to put it back together. Reading these forums constantly and trying out few things first will hopefully help.
07-14-2010, 07:10 AM
#15
you didnt smell a dead mouse??!!
those bad boys will chew thru wires,, that is true
those bad boys will chew thru wires,, that is true
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