Thoughts on working on the Honda CRV
 

The starter solenoid is starting to hang up on the '97 CRV (4 cylinder) so I figured I would change the starter out. This was my first attempt at changing a starter on a Honda and was pleasantly surprised when I removed the old one. I had budgeted about an hour to remove it and it took all of about 15 minutes:D. I was surprised at the simplicity of the removal.

The rubber boots at the ends of the cable are intact and still pliable. The small connector at the starter was a slip on connector and none of the plastic is broken or falls apart. The odo just turned over 200k miles and it drives/runs good. Even the cruise control still works.

Right now the rear windows don't work which I suspect is a regulator issue and the passenger side door check strap needs to be replaced. They get noisy just like the 123's:). It will be interesting to see how long the transmission will last.

i have heard the hondas are pretty well engineered.

nice to hear it confirmed by a benz buff.

tom w

Yeah they hold up as good as anything. My old Camry is still going strong, about 160k miles and 13 years old. Everything still works, and its still tight. Only repair in the last three years was the coil which cost $70 and went bad right after I sold it. Good timing on my part.

Considering that this car cost a third of what a 300E cost new its holding its own. May not last 20 years but it cost 1/3 of the MB.

I had a 94 Pathfinder for a couple of years.... Didn't have to remove the starter, but I did have to replace pads. The first side took me 15 mins. because I had to familiarize myself with how they do things. The second side took me around 5 mins. I was almost amazed with how quickly it went.
I put roughly 80k miles on it in 18 months. My only complaint was that the exhaust manifold leaked on the one side (apparently almost everybody elses did too). That, and one day the A/C clutch self destructed - getting just the clutch was a PITA. (oh, and inspite of being a little 3 ltr. it only got 16mpg on a good day, with a tailwind, downhill, while drafting behind a semi.

I was about to swap out the starer on our old corolla till a mechanic at the dealership my wife works for told me they never go bad. he gave me the solenoid contacts (under $10) after a couple hours of work everthings back in and working perfect. He says do that and its good for another 100,000. I think all toytas are this way, probably hondas too.

Strangely our Caravan with Mopar engine and tranny has a ND starter.

Here's some links -

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Nippondenso.html

Sixto
93 300SD ... with ND MAP sensor

It took me 30 minutes to replace the battery on my Buick Regal GSE last night! One thing is certain though, if you flip the car upside down, the dang battery won't fall out!

On the Japanese front, my oldest son's 98 Tacoma 4WD needed a starter solenoid repair. $10 part but getting the starter out was like brain surgery! You have to turn and pull, twist and wiggle to get the thing out. A seasoned tech told me exactly how to do it and it was STILL a *****!!!

Now back to Honda. I can't speak for all models, but my 89 Accord has been by far the best car I have ever owned. There are times when you need Japanese hands to fit in the tight spots but overall it is well engineered and requires little touching to keep it running. (357,800 miles as of today)

I'm with you. I believe Honda's are the best engineered cars on the road today, even compared to Toyota / Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes.

:eek:

off with his head :behead:

In the vernacular of "thedon", truthistruthandfactsisfacts

Ehh I looked at the new Accords, I'd still rather drive my Mercedes. Who cares if the break, when they are running they are a better drive.