engine HONDA S2000 2000 1.G Repair Manual

The reading on your car's
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
It may go higher if you are driving up
a long steep hill on a very
hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine
the reason.
NOTICE
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading
at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
Your car can overheat for several
reasons,
such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem.
The only
indication may be
the temperature
gauge climbing to or above
the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming from
under the car or
engine cover. In either case, you
should take immediate action.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral
and
set the parking brake. Turn
off the heating and cooling system
and all
other accessories. Turn on
the hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam and/ or spray
coming from
under the hood, turn
off
the engine.
If Your Engine Overheats
3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave
the engine running and
watch
the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with
the A/C running, for
example),
the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera­
ture gauge comes down to
the mid­
point
then continue driving.
4. If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs
of
steam or spray, then open the
hood.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected 223

If Your Engine Overheats
6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution.
If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
Emergency
Towing on page 238 ) .
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.
224 Taking Care of the Unexpected
7. If you don't find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in
the
radiator reserve tank (see page
120 ) . If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and
MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
before checking the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn
the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to
the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure
in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.

lO.Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck.
If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
ll.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
Emergency
Towing on page 238 .)
If Your Engine Overheats
12.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.
Taking Care of the Unexpected 225

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after
the engine starts. It should
never come on when
the engine is
running.
If it starts flashing, it
indicates
that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment,
then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with
the engine running, it shows
that
the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
226 Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn
off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car
stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page 119 ). Although oil level
and
oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine
that is very
low on
oil can lose pressure during
cornering and
other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 120 ) .
4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator.
If the light
does not go out within
ten seconds,
turn off
the engine. There is a
mechanical problem
that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving.
(See Emergency
Towing on page 238 .)

This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is
ON (II), and go
out after the engine starts.
If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately
turn off
all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C,
cruise control, etc.
Try not to use
other electrically-operated controls
such as
the power windows. Keep
the engine running and take extra
care not to stall
it. Starting the
engine
will discharge the battery
rapidly.
Charging System Indicator
By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before
the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Taking Care of the Unexpected 227

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch
ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine's emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may feel
no difference in your
car's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your
car to put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage.
228 Taking Care of the Unexpected
If you have recently refueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel
fill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks at least
three times. Replace the fuel
fill cap
if it is missing. Tightening the cap
will not make the indicator turn off
immediately; it takes three driving
trips.
If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the fuel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.
You should also have the dealer
inspect your car
if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving.
NOTICE
If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car's emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car's warranties.

The Brake System Indicator light
comes on when you turn the ignition
ON (II). If the parking brake is not
set, it goes off after you start the
engine.
If the parking brake is set, it
goes off when you fully release the
parking brake with the engine
running. If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with
the car's
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low fluid level in
the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal.
If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page
170 ) . If the
fluid level is
low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake
pads.
However,
if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because
of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem
in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels.
You will feel the brake pedal
go down much farther before the car
begins to slow down, and you
will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
Brake System Indicator
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because
of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car.
You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible.
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
Taking Care of the Unexpected 229

All the electrical circuits in your car
have fuses to protect them from a
short circuit or overload.
These
fuses are located in three fuse boxes.
The interior fuse box is underneath
the dashboard on the driver's side.
Fuses
There are two under-hood fuse
boxes
in the engine compartment.
The main fuse box is located on the
passenger's side near the battery. To
open it, push the two tabs as shown.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected 231

Fuses
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
No: Amps. Circuits Protected No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 7.5A Windshield Wiper, 14 lOA Daytime Running Lights*
Auto
Stop Signal 15 lOA Keyless Entry
2
15A Washer Motor 16 7.5A Back-up
3
-Not used 17 7.5A Interior Light
4
-Not used 18 lOA Small Lights
5
lOA Accessory Socket 19 15A Radio
6
20A Windshield Wiper 20 7.5A Starter Signal
7 7.5A Tum Light 21 7.5A Heater Control,
8 15A ACG Cooling Fan
Relay
9
7.5A Instrument Light, Back·up 22 7.5A Power Mirrors
Lights
23 20A Right Power Window
10 15A Ignition Coil 24 20A Left Power Window
11 7.5A Engine Start 25 -Not used
12 15A Fuel Pump, SRS 26 -Not used
13 lOA SRS 27 -Not used
* : Canadian Model
234 Taking Care of the Unexpected

Identification Numbers
Your car has several identifying
numbers located
in various places.
The Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) is the 17-digit number your
Honda dealer uses to register your
car for warranty purposes. It is also
necessary for licensing and insuring
your car.
The easiest place to find
the
VIN is on a plate fastened to the
top of the dashboard. You can see it
by looking through the windshield
on the driver's side.
It is also on the
Certification label attached to the
driver's doorjamb, and is stamped on
the engine compartment bulkhead.
The VIN is also provided in bar code
on the Certification label.
242 Technical Information