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View Full Version : First time seller, '96 Civic - need advice


traderNik
May 18th, 2007, 01:30 AM
Hi guys

I've never sold a used car and have a slight problem on my hands (I think).

I bought my first car, ever, in 1998. A 1996 Civic CX Hatch. The car was absolutely bulletproof until early last year. ECL started last year. I took it in to a mechanic and he told me it was a TPS sensor. He said 'wait to see if it goes away'.

I learned how to check the codes myself and it was throwing off TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) sensor every 4-6 months. The engine would bag out but it always went away after a few hours. ECL would eventually go out. Otherwise running perfectly.

Recently, I am getting multiple error codes - O2 sensor heater (front and rear), still the TPS sensor, Wheel Speed sensor. Car is sort of revving repeatedly at idle - lights get brighter and dimmer while this is happening. ECL also becomes brighter and dimmer. Weird thing is, ECL even does this while going at speed, although I can't hear the engine revving itself.

Re: TPS sensor, Honda said replace the whole throttle body for this. Online tuners say no, you can kluge the job but I can't find a local guy who will take the job on. Honda's price = $1800.

I am buying a new Honda. My trouble is - to whom can I sell this car? I cannot believe that this car is worth nothing but Honda told me that it would cost $2500 to fix everything!! Now, the car is probably worth less than $2500 when fixed up because of body dings etc. I have no idea who I can sell this car to. I am not going to sell it to some 19 year old University kid because I do not want it to fail on him or her 1 month later. The dealerships are not interested.

What are my choices? This is my first car sale and I have no idea how to find a buyer. The right mechanic can fix it up and make a tidy profit, I just know it. Am I being naive in thinking it's worth anything?? I mean this car just ran perfectly for 8 years.

Can I sell it to a used car lot? Should I advertise it privately with a note saying 'Attn: Honda mechanics'?

Any hints?

Thanks, Nik
maxgohan
May 18th, 2007, 03:44 AM
how much do you want for it?

my bro needs a new car and im sure if the price is right he'd be willing to buy it and fix it himself...
Desolatax
May 18th, 2007, 04:50 AM
File a TPS report, don't forget the new cover sheet either.
Amuthini
May 18th, 2007, 07:03 AM
part it out.
bmw_xperience
May 18th, 2007, 11:40 AM
I"m sure there are buyers as long as u are honest about your sale...After reading your post I don't know what u are talking about haha... but I'm sure there are ppl that do know

just post it in the buy/sell section stating the problems and provide a telephone number at which they can reach you so u can elaborate on the problem.
traderNik
May 18th, 2007, 02:08 PM
how much do you want for it?

my bro needs a new car and im sure if the price is right he'd be willing to buy it and fix it himself...

Hey

I will definitely get back to you soon, either here or via PM, when I come up with a number.
traderNik
May 18th, 2007, 02:14 PM
Re: parting it out... sounds like an idea. However, if I have to do it myself, as opposed to selling it to someone who will part it out for me, then I have to have guys coming over to my place for the next xx weeks, and for the amount the car is worth, not sure if I want that. I'll bet it's the best way to maximize value, though.

I like the idea of just putting up an ad which says that there are these problems and selling to a mechanic.
dlander
May 18th, 2007, 04:45 PM
Get a used throttle body from a wrecker.

Honda dealer charges like $1300 for a new one. A wrecker will charge maybe $300. Make sure the throttle body from the wrecker has the needed sensors on it. ie MAP, TPS. If you don't know what you are doing, then get your independent mechanic to call wreckers and handle it for you.
DragonZealot
May 18th, 2007, 07:04 PM
You should try cleaning the TB first.

or but it for $100 here:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/328040097.html

For the O2 sensor you have to replace.
dlander
May 18th, 2007, 07:58 PM
For the O2 sensor you have to replace.

I don't think you need an O2 sensor. When the TPS sensor is out it can cause this.
traderNik
May 19th, 2007, 01:15 AM
I don't think you need an O2 sensor. When the TPS sensor is out it can cause this.

Well, guys... here's an unexpected twist.

I checked out an RFD thread that had recommendations for mechanics in Toronto. I took a couple of names. The first guy I went to says to me 'Let me run the codes and see what pops up'. So he runs them... and then he stuns me by saying, 'I'm just going to check one of your fuses because sometimes these problems, when they occur together, might be a simple fuse issue'.

So he changes out a fuse...

...and to my amazement, the problem I was having with the engine revving itself and the lights pulsing goes away. He doesn't seem too surprised and tells me that there is a chance that I will see the tps error again. He says the O2 sensor heater issue will almost certainly not recur unless the fuse goes.

What in the hell??? I mean I understand Honda has to make money but they checked the codes and just told me 'We have to replace all the parts that the codes mention'.

Anyhow... I knew that there were no serious problems with this engine because it just runs so perfectly.

There you have it. If anyone wants I will post the name of the mechanic here but I don't want to do it because I don't want anyone to think that was the point of all this. The name is available in the 'honda mechanic' thread - just do a search.

Thanks to all who responded and to the guy whose brother needs a car I will still let you know what I want for it next week sometime. He can be sure that he is getting a rock-solid '96 Civic. The wheel speed sensor issue is separate but I am going to have the same guy swap it out before I see the car.
seftonm
May 19th, 2007, 02:21 AM
That's not extremely surprising, when all sorts of unrelated error codes start coming up, I find it's usually a good idea to check basic electrical stuff like fuses, contact, and grounds. People who end up having to spend lots of money and replace lots of parts on their vehicles often seem to do so because the shop doesn't know any better. Good thing you were able to find somebody who knew something about your car.
traderNik
May 19th, 2007, 02:38 AM
That's not extremely surprising, when all sorts of unrelated error codes start coming up, I find it's usually a good idea to check basic electrical stuff like fuses, contact, and grounds. People who end up having to spend lots of money and replace lots of parts on their vehicles often seem to do so because the shop doesn't know any better. Good thing you were able to find somebody who knew something about your car.

Yeah, this was a huge lesson for me. I mean, I'm actually not a total gear dork, but I figured that if an error code was being thrown off, it basically meant that the part had failed.

Needless to say I'll be taking a different approach next time. Like I said, I figured out how to check the ECL codes using the Honda paper-clip trick, but it's nice to know I can take it to a guy who, for $20, will hook it up to his computer and give me an opinion.

Also feel better because I can sell the car with a somewhat clearer conscience now.
jerrytoyer
May 23rd, 2007, 11:05 AM
ya part it out
bobbings
May 23rd, 2007, 11:59 AM
how much are you selling it now?
McLaren
May 23rd, 2007, 12:05 PM
File a TPS report, don't forget the new cover sheet either.

http://uneasysilence.com/wp-content/tpsreport.jpg