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Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

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Old May 31, 2013
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Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Hey everyone!

I am a subie guy, but a friend asked me to change his timing belt in his 2002 Honda Civic EX automatic. This is a 4 door with a 1.7l engine. Completely stock, no mods. Replaced with factory belt, factory tensioner, factory water pump, and factory bearing seals.

After running perfectly for around 20 miles, the car went into limp mode and wouldn't exceed 55 mph, according to the owner.

I tore it back down and ensured that the timing was still dead on, and it is.

I cannot get a reading from the OBDII port, all I get is a "Cannot connect" error.

I replaced both the crank position sensor and cam position sensor, the electronic load sensor, and ensured that all my bolts were tight and good.

I checked every single fuse in the vehicle to ensure that nothing was blown.

It seems to be running incredibly rich as well, but I am not sure.

Main symptoms: Slow to start. Green key light blinking. CEL light on. No ability to pull anything from OBDII. Sluggish and hesitant, doesn't like to rev high at all, no tachometer function, no coolant temp gauge function.

Help me out! I am unsure of where to go from here.
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Old May 31, 2013
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Update: It looks as if the alternator is fried. Will replace and post results.
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Old May 31, 2013
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

The usual cause is the alternator bolts were left loose. This can fry the PCM.
Alternator may still be just fine.
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Old May 31, 2013
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Read this:
http://www.underhoodservice.com/issu...ontentid=88560


Word-for-word copy of Hondas service info on this.
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Old Jun 1, 2013
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by ezone
Read this:
http://www.underhoodservice.com/issu...ontentid=88560


Word-for-word copy of Hondas service info on this.
Well damn. When I had the battery tested, during the tests the little unit they were using kept saying "noise in system" and was telling them the battery was shot.

I assured them that this wasn't possible, they disconnected the battery by itself and it tested fine.

I know that's vague, but do you think it's worth replacing the alternator, or going straight to the salvage yard and pulling a PCM from a similar car?
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Old Jun 1, 2013
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Sent it to the stealership for some Honda pros to do the diagnostic. Will update with results.
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Old Jun 1, 2013
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by mildotphil
Well damn. When I had the battery tested, during the tests the little unit they were using kept saying "noise in system" and was telling them the battery was shot.

I assured them that this wasn't possible, they disconnected the battery by itself and it tested fine.
Then the battery is fine.
I know that's vague,
Not vague at all.

and ensured that all my bolts were tight and good.
Did I guess correct about the alternator bolts were left loose after the timing belt job?
Seriously. I'm looking for the root cause of (what appears to be) the PCM failure.

I cannot get a reading from the OBDII port, all I get is a "Cannot connect" error.
The PCM has gone brain dead.

do you think it's worth replacing the alternator
Alternator is likely good.....The PCM controls the voltage regulator so if the PCM has gone stupid, then it may no longer be capable of controlling charging.
or going straight to the salvage yard and pulling a PCM from a similar car?
You better realize that even if you install a used PCM, the car still can't run until the immobilizer is programmed, that means a tow to the dealer.



Originally Posted by mildotphil
a friend asked me to change his timing belt
the car went into limp mode

I replaced both the crank position sensor and cam position sensor, the electronic load sensor,
Wow.
It seems to be running incredibly rich as well, but I am not sure.
Part of limp mode.
Main symptoms: Slow to start. Green key light blinking. CEL light on. No ability to pull anything from OBDII. Sluggish and hesitant, doesn't like to rev high at all, no tachometer function, no coolant temp gauge function.
All those come from the PCM that went brain dead.

stealership for some Honda pros
Speaking as a professional that is employed by one of these "stealerships", I'm offended by that.
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by mildotphil
Sent it to the stealership for some Honda pros to do the diagnostic. Will update with results.
have you figured this out.? I have done my head gasket and timing 500km ago changed shift solenoid and cam sensor 300km ago. Now this morning i had every issue you explained.
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by River4551
have you figured this out.? I have done my head gasket and timing 500km ago changed shift solenoid and cam sensor 300km ago. Now this morning i had every issue you explained.
​​​​​​​its been 10 years..... what do you think?​​​​​​​what brand was the parts you used?
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by Colin42
its been 10 years..... what do you think?​​​​​​​what brand was the parts you used?
felpro gasket set and head bolts tryed multiple cam sensors
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by Colin42
its been 10 years..... what do you think?​​​​​​​what brand was the parts you used?
also I already changed the alt and checked its charging properly checked grounds aswell
​​​​​​​
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Did you try an oem sensor?
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by Colin42
Did you try an oem sensor?
yes I was having p0344 before I changed cam sensor then that went away for 300km then this issue. But not being able to pull codes should be something other then the cam sensor...
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Aftermarket alternator as well?
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by Colin42
Aftermarket alternator as well?
oem alt and. Just double triple checked everything and my alt bolts were a tad loose. Maybe this fried my ecu aswell. I see another thread where loose alt bolt was causing cam sensor code aswell. Will get new ecu flashed tomorrow hopefully
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

the keys will need to be programmed to new ECU
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

Originally Posted by sdaidoji
the keys will need to be programmed to new ECU
is this a dealer only thing? Or should I be able to find someone to do it
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...aster-key.html
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

found this looking through threads and I'm going to try this tomorrow.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/engine...uired-3295937/
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Old Mar 18, 2023
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Re: Very low power, green key light blinking and CEL after timing belt change

if you screw up the ECU it will be even more hassle.
Read the link i posted, most locksmiths nowadays have the tool to program the key
no need to tow to stealership. Just call the locksmith to find out if they can program your car
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