Hello, I changed the spark plug wires on my 1998 Honda Accord EX 2.3L VTEC taking them off one at a time an putting them back in the correct order. But when I put the key into position II the SRS light comes on and I hear 6 short beeps and then the light goes off. This event didn't happen before I changed the wires. The CEL has been coming on even before I changed the wires but the SRS light is new. I tried to get the CEL code by following the link on the "ACC 5th Gen" post but I could not get it to work and those directions don't seem to apply to 98 accords. I am afraid to drive the car before I figure out whats wrong just in case I messed up the ignition system/firing order. I also looked through the old posts and could not find anything similar.

--Jackson

 

if the firing order was wrong the car would run like crap and might not even start. you need to get the CEL code and see what it is. Unless you bumped a sensor or something I think this issue is merely coincidental (sp?)

 

Sir Nasty is right, the car wouldn't run if you messed up the firing order.

Your car is a 6th gen and is OBDII, and the info for the 5th gen accords (OBDI and OBDII) does not apply. The only way to get the codes read is to go to autozone and have them read the code for free with their code reader. Post all codes they find (P####) and we can help you.

 

Thanks! I am new to working on my car and this is my first repair. I wanted to make sure it was safe to drive before driving to get the code. I appreciate your quick responses.

--Jackson

 

I went to AutoZone today and the guy read my CEL but he said the SRS is a totally different system and he cant read it. Anyways I got a P0420. The description reads "The PCM has determined that the catalyst system efficiency for bank 1 is below threshold for the current engine operation condition (bank 1 identifies the location of cylinder #1, while bank 2 identifies the cylinders on the opposite bank)

Definition: Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
Explanation: The oxygen sensors monitor the catalytic converters ability to store oxygen"

What should I do? Should I just change the censer or is there some other problem?

--Jackson

 

I also changed the spark plugs cap and roter last night. When I pulled the plugs out they looked normal compared to a chart I found. But they were gaped well past the OEM spec .040. They were around .05. I dont know who put the missgaped plugs in because I bought the care used at 90k.

 

Plug gap usually gets bigger with age (erosion). So they could have been correct when they were installed.

I'd like someone to explain to me how the converter can"STORE" oxygen... LOL.

The converter takes un-burned fuel along with un-used oxygen (both present in the engine's exhaust). The catalyst causes the reaction to go further towards completion.

The 2nd O2 sensor's job is to measure how well the catalyst is doing it's job. P0420 says the catalyst isn't doing real well. You'd thinkthis can be caused by a flaky O2 sensor, but not usually. I've been told that by 1998 the ECU was pretty good at telling the difference between a bad sensor vs. a bad catalyst.