check engine HONDA INSIGHT 2005 1.G Owner's Manual

Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to between the
MIN and MAX lines. Inspect the
cooling system f or leaks.
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
139
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use. This
reservoir supplies the windshield and
rear window washers.
Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
Windshield Washers
Maint enance
141
LEVEL GAUGE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Park the vehicle on level ground.
With the A/C of f , let the engine
run until the radiator cooling f an
cycles on and of f twice. Then turn
of f the engine.
NOTE: For accurate results, wait at
least 60 seconds, and no more than
90 seconds, af ter turning of f the
engine to check the f luid level. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks within the HOT range.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.
1. 2.
3.
4.5.
U.S. model
T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
142
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK HOT
DIPSTICK

To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration. If you
added f luid, return to step 1 to
recheck the f luid level.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer. Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on the level ground.
Remove the black cover under the
engine.Remove the transmission f iller bolt,
and caref ully f eel inside the bolt hole
with your f inger. The f luid level
should be up to the edge of the bolt
hole. If it is not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
6.
CONT INUED
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission
Maint enance
143
Correct Level

Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Check the f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
Replace the brake f luid according to
the recommendation in the
maintenance schedule.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid
144

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .166
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .167
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 173
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .173
................................
Jump Starting .175
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 177
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 179
..........
Charging System Indicator . 180
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 180
...............
Brake System Indicator . 182
......................
Emergency Towing .183
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 184
..............................................
Fuses .185
Checking and Replacing ......................................
Fuses .185
..............................
Fuse Locations .188
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
165

CONT INUED
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
areverydimordonotcomeonat
all, the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ). 175
60 183
If theEngineWon’tStart
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
173

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
162
175 109
185 183
If theEngineWon’tStart
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
174

µStart the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once the vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom the vehicle,
and then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
5. 7. 6.
4.
Jump Starting
176

If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
bef ore checking the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
6.
7.
8.
9.
11.10.
183
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
178
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.