08 EX-L Navi V6 Check Engine Light Issues

[Metal Metalic]

Originally Posted by aN4rk1

Hey Guys,

just got home and read the code. It came up as cylinder #3 missfire. Ok so now what do I do? I am going to clean the spark plug for now and see if it comes back. If it does, does that mean I need to change the ignition coil? Also, which ones is cylinder #3? I found this schematic for honda v6 engines, is this correct?

http://autorepair.about.com/library/...bl-fo-0284.htm

Don't fix it your self... Honda will take it in and update the Firmware (which will correct the issue), and replace your plugs. It is covered under warranty because there is at least two TSB articles that point to such issues.

Once you clear the error code and replace your plug, you don't have a leg to stand on. :o(

I didn't know you had bad idle, as you said you were driving along normally once you reset your error before all this. I could have given this info a lot sooner.

[aN4rk1]

Originally Posted by Metal Metalic

Don't fix it your self... Honda will take it in and update the Firmware (which will correct the issue), and replace your plugs. It is covered under warranty because there is at least two TSB articles that point to such issues.

Once you clear the error code and replace your plug, you don't have a leg to stand on. :o(

I didn't know you had bad idle, as you said you were driving along normally once you reset your error before all this. I could have given this info a lot sooner.

I went to a Honda dealer when I first got the car, they looked up the vin and said it already had the updates?

I didn't replace the plug, I cleaned it and cleared the code. Its happened twice now so maybe it will happen again, and if it does then I will take it in with the code showing.

The first time I had the issue, i didn't notice the bad idle. I definitely would have noticed it, IF there was bad idle. What does the bad idle mean?

[Metal Metalic]

Originally Posted by aN4rk1

I went to a Honda dealer when I first got the car, they looked up the vin and said it already had the updates?

I didn't replace the plug, I cleaned it and cleared the code. Its happened twice now so maybe it will happen again, and if it does then I will take it in with the code showing.

The first time I had the issue, i didn't notice the bad idle. I definitely would have noticed it, IF there was bad idle. What does the bad idle mean?

As for bad idle, there is an older TSB on oil consumption and ruff idle, pretty much the same fix as stated (update ECU / PCM).

VIN has nothing to do with verifying updates... VIN is to pull up any TSBs and service records.

Here is the TSB... 10-033 Also 01-023 on update procedure.

It does state 08 - 09 V6 Accords are to be checked with a tool, only the tool will verify by either updating or passing.

[aN4rk1]

Originally Posted by Metal Metalic

As for bad idle, there is an older TSB on oil consumption and ruff idle, pretty much the same fix as stated (update ECU / PCM).

VIN has nothing to do with verifying updates... VIN is to pull up any TSBs and service records.

Here is the TSB... 10-033 Also 01-023 on update procedure.

It does state 08 - 09 V6 Accords are to be checked with a tool, only the tool will verify by either updating or passing.

Ok got it. Thanks for that. I will take it in and see if they can help. If not, I will wait until when/if it happens again.

[AccordHFPMTL]

Originally Posted by aN4rk1

Used that schematic and cleaned the plug. It was VERY black. Drive around after and to work this morning and it seems ok. I don't think its under warranty. I bought it used and its at 123k Kms at the moment.

Does your car consume oil?? more than 1 quart per thousand mile??? if so.. I would bring it to a indy mechanic to have cylinder checked by boroscope...

[aN4rk1]

Originally Posted by AccordHFPMTL

Does your car consume oil?? more than 1 quart per thousand mile??? if so.. I would bring it to a indy mechanic to have cylinder checked by boroscope...

No, my car doesn't seem to consume oil. Maybe a LITTLE. During the last two oil changes, a good amount came out, close to what I put in. Giving some slack for spillage and residue inside the engine, Id say its on par.

[gentledental4u]

so it was just the spark plug???

[aN4rk1]

Originally Posted by gentledental4u

so it was just the spark plug???

As far as I could tell yes. If it happens again, Iam going to take Metal_Metallic's advice and get the TSB update.

[aN4rk1]

Ok. I told my self that if this happened again, I would take it in. So it happened again.
I called a local Honda dealership and told them about the issue.

They asked for my Vin, and ran it through the computer. They said there was NO outstanding recalls or bulletins. I told them what happened, that I checked the code before my self, cleaned the plugs, and it fixed it. They asked about how new the plugs were, I said I replaced them with OEM plugs with I got the car in august of last year. They said alright, if I came in there would be a diagnostic charge of $55. I have access to an OBD-II port reader for free.

So what should I do here?

[Edaccord08]

While cleaning the plug might work temporary I would replace it .

I would also bring it in and make sure you are up to date software wise as posted above .

[aN4rk1]

Ok got an update, took it to the dealer. They cleared the code, updated the PCM, and replaced the plugs in cylinders 1 - 4 for FREE. Which was great but on my way home from the dealership, It happened AGAIN, and AGAIN on my way in to work. So I called the dealership this morning again, and they said there is nothing else they could do at this time that was covered under any bulletins or recalls.

What should I do? Really at a loss.

[Edaccord08]

So do you still have a warranty ?

If they replaced with new plugs then there is something else wrong still .
hard to say w/o testing few things .

Is it only misfire #3 code coming up , no other codes ?

[gentledental4u]

wait what code is it exactly??? Mine was P3400. I think you need to have them run a full diagnostic again. maybe they just did what you told them to do but didn't check for the underlying cause.

[aN4rk1]

Originally Posted by Edaccord08

So do you still have a warranty ?

If they replaced with new plugs then there is something else wrong still .
hard to say w/o testing few things .

Is it only misfire #3 code coming up , no other codes ?

I don't know if I have any warranty. I bought the car used with 91k kms on it. I am at 125k now. Yes maybe something else is wrong, but Maybe they didn't actually do anything. The last time or two, it was only the misfire #3 code yes. I haven't checked it this time, I will check and post back.

Originally Posted by gentledental4u

wait what code is it exactly??? Mine was P3400. I think you need to have them run a full diagnostic again. maybe they just did what you told them to do but didn't check for the underlying cause.

It was P0303. I didn't tell them to do anything, I just told them this is what has been happening, this is what I did, now you do something.

I am going to try and take it to another dealership and see what they say.

[Edaccord08]

We are assuming what they say they did . I don't know how mechanical you are but it is easy to see if they did replace #3 , but you would need to pull it .

Question, does it idle rough even after you clear code with no light on ?
or it only misses randomly ?

Unless your going to diagnosis it yourself I think it best for them to do it, at least you will know (hopefully) what cause is . then you can decide who fixes it .