powerfade

Hi guys

Hope this doesn't qualify as a bonehead first post. I've never sold a used car and have a slight problem on my hands (I think).

I bought my first car, ever, in 1998. A 1996 Civic CX Hatch. The car was absolutely bulletproof until early last year. ECL started last year. I took it in to a mechanic and he told me it was a TPS error (Throttle Position Sensor). He said 'wait to see if it goes away'.

I learned how to check the codes myself and it was throwing off TPS ECLs every 4-6 months. The engine would bag out but it always went away after a few hours. ECL would eventually go out. Otherwise running perfectly.

Recently, I am getting multiple error codes - O2 sensor heater (front and rear), still the TPS sensor, Wheel Speed sensor. Car is sort of revving repeatedly at idle - lights get brighter and dimmer while this is happening. ECL also becomes brighter and dimmer. Weird thing is, ECL even does this (pulses brighter and dimmer) while going at speed, although I can't hear the engine revving itself.

Re: TPS sensor, Honda said replace the whole throttle body for this. Online tuners say no, you can kluge the job but I can't find a local indie guy who will take the job on. Honda's price = $1800 to replace the throttle body.

So I am going to buy a new Honda/Acura. My trouble is - to whom can I sell this car? I cannot believe that this car is worth nothing but Honda told me that it would cost $2500 to fix everything!! Now, the car is probably worth less than $2500 when fixed up because of body dings etc. I have no idea who I can sell this car to. I am not going to sell it to some 19 year old University kid because I do not want it to fail on him or her 1 month later. The dealerships are not interested.

What are my choices? This is my first car sale and I have no idea how to find a buyer. The right mechanic can fix it up and make a tidy profit, I know it. Am I being naive in thinking it's worth anything?? I mean this car just ran perfectly for 8 years.

Can I sell it to a used car lot? Should I advertise it privately with a note saying 'Attn: Honda mechanics'? At the very least someone can part the car out, right?

Any hints?

Thanks, Nik

RDub99

iTrader: (1)

you can fix that stuff no problem.. it's pretty minor stuff.. and don't take it to honda.. you can get a new throttle body for a couple hundred bucks and install it yourself..

EL_CIVIC

i may be intereseted... how much u want?

imported_t_dot_SiR

i can take this off you too... you've got pm

powerfade

Hi guys

Well, guys... here's an unexpected twist.

I checked out an Red Flag Deals thread that had recommendations for mechanics in Toronto. I took a couple of names. The first guy I went to says to me 'Let me run the codes and see what pops up'. So he runs them... and then he stuns me by saying, 'I'm just going to check one of your fuses because sometimes these problems, when they occur together, might be a simple fuse issue'.

So he changes out a fuse...

...and to my amazement, the problem I was having with the engine revving itself and the lights pulsing goes away. He doesn't seem too surprised and tells me that there is a chance that I will see the tps error again. He says the O2 sensor heater issue will almost certainly not recur unless the fuse goes.

What in the hell??? I mean I understand Honda has to make money but they checked the codes and just told me 'We have to replace all the parts that the codes mention'.

Anyhow... I knew that there were no serious problems with this engine because it just runs so perfectly.

The wheel speed sensor issue is separate but I am going to have the same guy swap it out before I see the car.

So I will be sure to let both of you guys know next week when I come up with a price. If you're still interested, we can talk. Anyhow, it's good to know there are guys here who will buy it off me since I would rather get a couple hundred less and not have to deal with putting an ad in the paer and have 20 people ringing my doorbell.

imported_t_dot_SiR

glad the isse wasn't huge

imported_rhd_ef

good stuff

hahaha 1800 for a tb swap


you could get a si swap installed for like 1000-1200 at most, haha