check engine HONDA S2000 2007 2.G Owner's Manual

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 .174
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .175
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 180
................................
Jump Starting .182
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 183
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 186
..........
Charging System Indicator . 186
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 187
...............
Brake System Indicator . 188
.......
Closing the Convertible Top . 189
..............................................
Fuses .190
..........
Checking and Replacing . 191
..............................
Fuse Locations .194
......................
Emergency Towing .196
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 196
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
173

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you press
the ENGINE START button.
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
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When
you press the ENGINE
START button, you do not hear the
norm al 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.
The clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page . Press
the ENGI NE START button,
then release it. If the headlights do
not dim, check the condition of the
fuses.IfthefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit for the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualified mechanic
to determine the problem. (See
on page .)
182 196
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
180

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
co rroded. 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 faster
than normal, when you press the
ENGI NE START button, but the
engine does not run. There
may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ).
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 ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page .
Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working. Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need
a qualified mechanic to find the
problem. See
on page .
61
169
182
124 190
196
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
181

µThe reading on your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
If it reaches the red mark, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge reading reaching the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
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. 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. Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery. Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact. If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
6.
7. 5.
4.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
If the Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
183
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

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
on page ).
If
the temperatu re gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
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,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
th en continue driving.
If
you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
th en open the hood.
Safely
pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral,
and set the parking brake. Turn
off the all accessories, and turn on
the hazard warning indicators.
If you don’t find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark
(see on
page ).
2. 1.
3. 4.
5.
6.
149 196
Emergency
Towing
A dding Engine Coolant
If theEngineOverheats
184
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.

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
befo re checking the radiato r. Using
gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Put
the radiator cap back on
tightl y. Run the engine, and check
the temperatu re 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.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. 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.
9. 8.
7. 10.
11.196
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
185
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.

Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit for a minute.
Op en the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipsti ck (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
befo re you can continue driving
(see on page
). If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
3.
4.113
146
196
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
186
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may go off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
If
this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may feel no difference in
your vehicle’s performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damag e.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed. To
check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malfunction indicator lamp will
come on for 20 seconds. If it then
goes off, the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks five times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for a state
emissions test until the readiness
codes are set. Ref er to for more
inf ormation (see page ).
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message on
the inf ormation display. Tighten the
cap until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator of f immediately; it can take
several days of normal driving. If your vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It can take several
days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
210
Malf unction Indicator L amp
State
Emissions T esting
Readiness Codes
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
187
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

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#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
216
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ÎÎÎ
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .147
......................................
When to .135
...
Charging System Indicator . 46, 186
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 123
.....................................
Child Saf ety .29
..............................
Booster Seats .38
...................................
Child Seats .34
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 32
..........................
Larger Children .37
.......................
Risk with Airbags .30
.............................
Small Children .33
.......................................
Child Seats .34
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .160
.................................................
Clock .54
...................................
Clutch Fluid .154
........................
CO in the Exhaust .207
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 124
......................
Compact Spare Tire .174
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 212
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 43
..............................
Convertible Top .70
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 72
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 70
................................
Maintenance .74
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 73Coolant
........................................
Adding .149
....................................
Checking .114
.........................
Proper Solution .149
...................
Temperature Gauge . 53
Crankcase Emission Control ........................................
System .207
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 47
............
Cruise Control Operation . 106
......................................
Cup Holder .78
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 212
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 44
..............
Dashboard Lower Pocket . 80
................
Daytime Running Lights . 57
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .48
.................................
Dead Battery .182
.........
Defects, Reporting Safety . 214
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 59
................
Defrosting the Windows . 87
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .153
....................................
Dimensions .202 ...............
Dimming the Headlights . 57
Dipstick ..................................
Engine Oil .113
..........................
Directional Signals .57
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 128
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .149
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer . 131
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 63
.......................
Monitor Indicator .47
......................
Power Door Locks .63
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 204
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .126
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .121
....................................
Economy .114
........................
Driving Guidelines .122
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 161
..............................
Economy, Fuel .114
..................................
Emergencies .173
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 182
...........
Brake System Indicator . 188
Index
D
E
II