Common Problems, Recalls and Service Bulletins for '92-'00 Civics and del Sols

[NOFX]

I see a lot of the same questions and issues over and over again, so I figure I would make this thread. This should also help future buyers of '92-'95 Civics, '96-'00 Civics and '93-'97 del Sols. If you know of a common problem and know a thread that mentioned how to fix it, please link to that thread and I'll add it to the solutions links under each description. I know del Sols must fall victim to more problems too, but I can't find documentation right off hand. We might as well also include TSBs and recalls. <FONT COLOR="red"><FONT SIZE="4">'96-'00 Civic Issues</FONT></FONT> <FONT SIZE="3">ENGINE & RELATED</FONT> '96-'98 non-VTEC develops rattle from A pipe. Heat shield has rusted or cracked. Replace the heat shield. TSB 98-014 Rear main oil seal leaks. Rear main oil seal is contaminated. Replace seal. TSB 01-040 <FONT SIZE="3">COOLING</FONT> Coolant leaks from reservoir. Flashing on the reservoir cap. Add plastic flange onto cap outlet. TSB 00-025 A/C pulley growls. Faulty A/C idler pulley bearing. Replace pulley. TSB 00-003 <FONT SIZE="3">FUEL / EMISSIONS</FONT> Accelerator Pedal feels rough or notchy. Replace throttle cable if affected. TSB 99-047 <FONT SIZE="3">CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION</FONT> D-Series manual transmissions begin to make a grinding or winding sound. Bad input shaft bearing. Honda says it's a design issue. (NO TSB.) Clutch pedal creaks. Coils of clutch pedal assist spring are rubbing together or clutch release fork pivot bolt is dry. TSB 97-055 Torque converter doesn't lock up in cold weather (auto only , not including HX). Faulty thermostat keeps engine from reaching normal operating temperatures in cold weather. TSB 97-025 Automatic transmisisomn shifts harshly or stays in first gear. Contaminated linear colenoid and associated passages inside transmission or broken spring internal to transmission. TSB 00-012 <FONT SIZE="3">BRAKES</FONT> Brake indicator light comes on and goes off. Master cylinder reservoir filter is not alloweing the cap to vent properly. Replace filter. TSB 03-078 <FONT SIZE="3">STEERING</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">ELECTRICAL</FONT> MIL Is On With Blown Fuse 15 ('96-'98, '99 see list) Engine wire harness is rubbing on the intake manifold bracket. Repair and protect wiring. TSB 99-029 <FONT SIZE="3">BODY</FONT> Hatches experience leaks into the hatch. Replace taillight gaskets. (NO TSB.) Headlights become yellowed and fogged with age. Polish or sand with different grades of sandpaper. (NO TSB.) Leaks coming from moonroof. Check to make sure moonroof drains in front and rear are not clogged. (NO TSB.) Rearview mirror is loose. Common fix includes wrapping ball with electrical tape. (NO TSB.) Cupholder lid doesn't want to open or doesn't want to close. Only solution is to replace the entire cupholder section. (NO TSB.) Sagging Headliner ('96-'97) Headliner is too long. Replace headliner. TSB 97-056e Wind Noise From the B-Pillar ('96-'97) Gap in between the front or rear glass run channel and door frame. Install foam, adjust regulator, glass, front, center and/or rear channels. TSB 97-053 Headlight Trim Is Loose ('96-'97) Poor adhesion of trim to the headlight. Reattach trim to the headlight. TSB 97-042 Turn Signal Does Not Cancel ('96) Cancel sleeve inside combination switch shrinks and sticks to the assembly. Replace the combination switch assembly. TSB 97-007 Windows Bind or Come Out of the Run Channels ('96-'98 sedan) Faulty run channels. Replace run channels if damaged. Inspect regulators and replace if damaged. TSB 98-082 Front Windows Bind or Have Come Out of the Run Channel ('96-'98 coupe) Faulty run channels. Inspect regulator and run channels and replace if damaged. TSB 97-021 Noise From the Rear Shelf ('98 coupe) Ribs on the bottom of the rear shelf are touching the sheet metal. Apply sealer to the bottom edges of the rear shelf. TSB 98-079 Hood Release Handle Breaks Plastic handle breaks. Replace entire cable assembly from front of hood to inside car. Take care to pull OUT on the handle and NOT UP in the future. TSB 99-089 Popping Noise or Vibration From the Driver's Footrest ('99, '00 see list) Friction between inner and outer layers of sheet metal of the floor plan. Use a hammer and punch to peen the floor pan sheet metal. TSB 99-073 SAFETY RECALL:Civic Floor Mat Floor mat can creep under pedals and cause them to not return to idle position, thereby causing the car to continue to accelerate. Use anchor kit to secure mat. TSB 99-034 Driver's Power Mirror Vibrates at speeds over 65mph ('96-'99, '00 see list) Mirror is loose in it's holder. Replace the mirror holder. TSB 99-002 Squeak From the Moonroof When Sunshade is Open and Glass is Closed (EX) Install squeak reduction tape around the moonroof opening. TSB 00-095 Deformed Windshield Molding ('98-'00) Inner lip of molding is folded, causing a poor fit against the body. Remove entire lip and fill the channel with silicone. TSB 00-064 Wind Whistle at the Top of the Windshield Vibration of the upper windshield molding. Apply sealant under the upper windshield molding. TSB 00-021 Rear Doors Are Hard to Open (see list) Rear outer handle rod is misadjusted. Adjust the rear outer handle rod. TSB 00-013 Fuse Box Cover Falls Off ('96-'99, '00 see list) Replace the spring clips on the cover. TSB 00-007 Rattle From the Hood ('96-'99, '00 see list) Excessive striker-to-latch clearance. Adjust the hood bump stops and hood latch. TSB 00-004 <FONT SIZE="3">BODY ELECTRICAL</FONT> Poor Radio Reception ('99) Center conductor in the mast antenna lead is touching the shielding. Clean the mast attaching screws or replace the mast antenna. TSB 99-094 Ignition Switch Binds ('96-'97) Ignition binds or is difficult to turn on. Replace the ignition switch. TSB 97-012 Key Cannot Be Removed From the Ignition Switch ('96-'99 with Automatic Transmission and Shift/Ignition Lock) Shift cable is out of adjustment, preventing the pin from engaging in the key lock switch. adjust the shift cable. TSB 97-009 SAFETY RECALL: Ignition Switch ('98-'99) Ignition switch can wear prematurely and eventually cause the engine to stall. Replace the electrical ignition switch. TSB 02-031 Windshield Wipers Do Not Work Properly ('98-'99, '00 see list) Park position switch has broken within the wiper motor. Replace the wiper motor. TSB 00-031 Civic and CR-V Immobilizer System ('99) (Information on system components, adding and replacing kets and replacing components.) TSB 99-901 <FONT SIZE="3">SUSPENSION</FONT> Clunk From Rear Suspension Broken rear trailing arm bushing(s). Replace the rear trailing arm bushings. TSB 00-006 <FONT SIZE="3">RESTRAINTS</FONT> Slow seatbelt retraction. Honda will replace these for free after a quick test by a technician. (NO TSB.) Seatbelts twist. Remove seatbelt from mounts and untwist. (NO TSB.) Noncompliance Recall: Civic Rear Seat Belt Buckles ('00) Lock bars in rear seat belts, which locks the seat belt togue to the buckle, were improperly made and might unlatch. Replace affected belts. TSB 02-004 <FONT COLOR="red"><FONT SIZE="4">'92-'95 Civic Issues</FONT></FONT> <FONT SIZE="3">ENGINE</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">COOLING</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">FUEL / EMISSIONS</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION</FONT> D-Series manual transmissions begin to make a grinding or winding sound. Bad input shaft bearing. Honda says it's a design issue. (NO TSB.) RECALL: Automatic transmission shift linkage ('92-'94 see list) Retaining clip that connects shift cable to shift lever actuating rod might have insufficient retention pressure and could come off after repeated shift lever operation. Replace adjuster pin. TSB 94-010 <FONT SIZE="3">BRAKES</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">STEERING</FONT> Leak From the Power Steering Pump O-ring between pump housing and cover is leaking. Replace o-ring. TSB 98-023 <FONT SIZE="3">ELECTRICAL</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">BODY</FONT> - Leaks coming from moonroof. Check to make sure moonroof drains in front and rear are not clogged. (NO TSB.) Wind Whistle at the Top of the Windshield Vibration of the upper windshield molding. Apply sealant under the upper windshield molding. TSB 00-021 <FONT SIZE="3">BODY ELECTRICAL</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">SUSPENSION</FONT> Clunk From Rear Suspension Broken rear trailing arm bushing(s). Replace the rear trailing arm bushings. TSB 00-006 <FONT SIZE="3">RESTRAINTS</FONT> - Slow seatbelt retraction. Honda will replace these for free. (NO TSB.) - Seatbelts twist. Remove seatbelt and untwist. (NO TSB.) <FONT COLOR="red"><FONT SIZE="4">'93-'97 del Sol Issues</FONT></FONT> <FONT SIZE="3">ENGINE</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">COOLING</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">FUEL / EMISSIONS</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION</FONT> D-Series manual transmissions begin to make a grinding or winding sound. Bad input shaft bearing. Honda says it's a design issue. (NO TSB.) <FONT SIZE="3">BRAKES</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">STEERING</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">ELECTRICAL</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">BODY</FONT> Targa top seals leak. Seals must be replaced. Later years do not have issues. (NO TSB.) <FONT SIZE="3">BODY ELECTRICAL</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">SUSPENSION</FONT> (none) <FONT SIZE="3">RESTRAINTS</FONT> (none) Modified by NOFX at 7:30 PM 4/25/2008

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[00ekcoupe]

[b16a3delsol]

thanks man good to know info

[slomob18b]

Awesome thread! Just what I was looking for as my sister's civic has a couple of those issues.

[206 EH2]

I wondered why the tranny in my eh2 was so noisy.

Great info.

[instructor74]

anything that goes for the 92-95 civic can be aplied to the 93-97 del sol they use all the same engines and suspention parts

[HondamanXxX]

This is problem one of the most important threads on this board. This is the information that can answer a million of our questions. Thanks NOFX for receiving this info.

This should deff be a sticky.

[choadtx]

Great write up, many questions answered.

Quick question about the AC Compressor growl. Mine only makes a loud growling when the AC compressor is on.....is that still the idler bearing making the noise while under the load of the compressor on???

[94EG8]

Excellent thread, lots of valuable info.