Rep Power: 0

So, I was driving on the freeway tonight, and I was stuck in really bad traffic for a long time. All of a sudden, I noticed my check engine light was on. I pull over, and it smelt like something was burning. I guess my car overheated. A guy stopped to help me, and he put water in the radiater I believe. So I let it cool off for while, then get back on the road. The check engine light stayed on for a while, but the car was driveable. Eventually, the light turned back off. However, I noticed in the area where the guy poured the water into (left radiater area) there was a minimum level, and a maximum level indication on the plastic. He filled it completely to the top way above the maximum level. I don't know too much about cars, so I'm not too sure what to do. Is there a coolent of some kind that I add? Do I need to do anything to the car before I drive it again? will having the water above the max level do anything to the car? Any help would be appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 453

doesnt sound like your car even overheated. Did the needle rise to the H on the temp gauge? also find out why the check engine light came on. even if it went off, the code is still logged into the ECU. take it to autozone and see if they can scan it for you.

Also that resovoir is your overflow resovoir for the coolant. the coolant in there should be between the min and max levels. now if he poured it to the max level its ok, but if he filled the whole resovoir, I would try to drain some out.

 
Rep Power: 812

i would just get a coolant flush after that one. sounds like everyone just assumed what the problem was. I dont think it overheated either unless you have a coolant leak somewhere.

 
Rep Power: 0

where can i go to get a coolant flush? how much do they cost?

 
Rep Power: 812

around $50. just get it drained and filled with honda antifreeze typeII

 
Rep Power: 0

where can I get this done at?

 
Rep Power: 812

almost anywhere. all they do is open the drain valve and then add new and bleed bubbles. might as well replace thermostat too

 
Rep Power: 0

The car sounds really weird when I try to accelerate, and the rpm's seem to act funny. I just bought the car from a small used car dealer about a week and a half ago. Should I take the car to honda to find out whats wrong with it? or should I take it back to the dealer I got it from and ask them to fix it?

 
Rep Power: 812

yikes hope the engine didn't get damaged. take it to whereever if you have warranty. try the dealer first. i wouldn't really goto honda unless you have to. more of a chance they'll mess it up.

 
Rep Power: 278

Even used cars should have at least 30 days warrenty.

 
Rep Power: 302

I sure hope you didn't buy someone elses "problem". I'd take it back to where you bought it.

 
Rep Power: 0

1st thing you do is get the check engine code checked (like stated b4) to see what you're dealing with...out here in jersey many places do it free...

 
Rep Power: 0

I had the codes checked. I believe they were P1361, and P1362. It said 'controlled ignition' and 'misfire'. Any ideas? The car seems to not accelerate as well as it did before the light came on.

 
Rep Power: 453

P1361 and P1362 have to do with your TDC sensor. replacing the sensor should cure the problem, assuming your wiring is fine.

 
Rep Power: 812

there you go

 
Rep Power: 0

Ok, cool. So what does the TDC sensor stand for, and how much would it cost to replace? What type of places ususally replace sensors like that?

 
Rep Power: 812

top dead center. has something to do with keeping the pistons and valves timed so the engine works the way its supposed to. just get it from honda.

 
Rep Power: 453

the sensor is about $50 from honda. And any auto shop can replace it. you can do it yourself, it isnt that hard.

 
Rep Power: 0

I went to honda today. They said they wouldn't replace it without doing a diagnostic, which is $85. And then the cost of the sensor if that turns out to be the problem, plus labor costs. Should I just buy the sensor and take it somewhere else to have replaced, or try to do it myself? I don't want to buy parts that wont fix the problem, but the sensor should be it, right?

 
Rep Power: 812

just do it yourself. pm me today asking for a pic. i'll look up where it is in the service book and let you know.

 
Rep Power: 0

Ok, i pmed you.

 
Rep Power: 0

could be your water pump is broke if your car overheat in a stand still traffic and when you were moving the wind was cooling your radiator and might be the fan not working properly

 
Rep Power: 812

tdc is not a common problem. makes me think something happened that caused the engine to break a little. water pump definately a possibility.

 
Rep Power: 453

you cant really say its not a commom problem, you may have not seen it alot, but it is just like any other sensor failing. Now the TDC sensor and the water pump have nothing in common. the TDC sensor is the same as the camshaft position sensor, is used to facilitate fuel injection to each cylinder. if the sensor failed, it wouldnt be because of a bad water pump.

 
Rep Power: 0

overheating common problem is the waterpump and the fan and themostat what the TDC sensor go to do with the car overheating because i changed my TDC sensor to finally fix car and now you guys mentioning it and gearbox you don't squat you just agree with people or something like that ...LOL

 
Rep Power: 0

Can overheating cause the TDC sensor to fail?

 
Rep Power: 453

neither of the two have anything to do with the other so I am going to say no. water pump pumps coolant through the system and the TDC sensor is used for initiating fuel injection. Now again from what you originally posted, it still sounds as if your car never overheated in the first place. Just sounds like you had a sensor fail and the check engine light came on. You said the check engine light came on and you smelled a burning smell, but that doesnt mean the car was overheating.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, i'm pretty sure its the TDC sensor. I looked it up a little bit, and it has to do with initiating fuel injection, and the ignition. My car starts really slow too, so thats what im thinking it is. Its also slow when i accelerate, and when i press the gas it'll take a second for it accelerate. Is there a DIY for replacing the TDC sensor, or can someone tell me how to replace it?

 
Rep Power: 453

if you look at the front of you engine, on the right side of the valve cover will be a cover, this is the cover to the timing belt, you need to remove that to gain access to the TDC sensor. the sensor connects into the head, but it shouldnt take but 30 minutes or so to replace it. Now the manaul recommends you remove the valve cover, but I think the timing cover can be removed without removing the valve cover, not sure though.

 
Rep Power: 812

the valve cover must come off unfortunately. i'll post a pic in a minute. the timing cover has a groove that sits under the valve cover.