1996 HONDA CIVIC check engine

Troubleshooting
General Troubleshooting
Check the following before you begin:. Has the suspension been modified in a way that would affect steering?. Are tire sizes, tire variety and air pressure correct?. lsthe steering wheel original equipment or equivalent?. lsthe powersteering pump belt properlyadiusted?
. ls steeringfluid reservoirfilledto proper level?. ls the engine idle speed correct and steady?
Hard Steering (Check the powor assist. se€ page 17-3o. lfthe torce is over 29 N (3.0 kgf, 6.6lbo, Procede with this troubleshootinq.)
Abnormallluid pressure
{fluid pressureis too high)
Faulty valve body unit
Relief pres-sure too low
Abnormal
Faulty llow control valve(Replace the pump es anassembly)
Ch€ck the feed snd return circuit lin€s ano nosebetw6€n the gearbox and pump for clogging andd€lormation.
Normal line and hose
Check the pump fluid pressure(soe page 17-34).l/easure steady-state tluid pres-s!re while idling with the bothvalves tully open.It should be 1.500 kPa (15 kgf/cmr,213 psi) or below.
Normal
Check th€ flow control vslve (see page 17-42).. Chock the valvo lor smooth movement in the hous-ing.. Check the reliefvalve for leaks.
Check the pump fluid pressure
{see page 17-34).Measure pump relief pressurewhile idling with the pressure con-trol valve Iully closed.It should be 6,400 - 7,400 kPa (65 -
75 kgflcm,,920 - 1,070 psi)
Normal relisf pressure
17-22
Go to page 17-23Faulty pump assembly

I
AbnormalDeformed
Faulty cylinder lines
Adiustment OK
Faulty valve body unit
Normal
IICompair the steering to another alike
vehicle.
/
Check the force required to turn
the wheel (see Page 17 30i
Start the engine and measure the
force required to turn the wheel
to the right and left. Difference of
the lorce required to turn the
wheel to the right and to the Ieft
should be 2.9 N 10 3 kgf, 0.7 lbf)
or below.
Check for bent rack shaft
Check rack guide adiustment (see
page 17-33).
(cont'd)
17 -23
1,,

/
Uneven or rough steering
Steering wheel kicks back
during wide t!rns.
ll,
)
Adjust the rac* guide (see page 17-3).
lf the problem is not corrected bY
adjusting the rack guide, replace
the gearbox.
Adiust the belt tension. Feplace the
belt, il necessary (see Page 17 32).
lfthe engine stalls when the wheel
is turned while car is stopped or
moving at low speed, adjust the
idle spe€d (see section 11)
ldle speed low or erratic.
Check power sleering fluid level lf
the level is excessively low, check
lor leaks in the system. Add lluid
to the specified level.
Air in reservoir, or check Powersteering Iluid level.
lf ltuid level is OK, check O-rings
and seals on both ends of thepump inlet hose, and the P/Spump housing mating surfaces
and the pumP shaft oil seal for
suction leaks. RePlace Parts as
nocessary.
Adjust the belt tension (see Page17 32)or replace belt.Pump belt sliPPing on PLrlleY(pump stops momentarilY)
Check if pump press{rre is normal
and the gauge needle travel is 500
kPa (5 kgl/cm?, 7l Psi) or less.
Chock the flow control valve if the
needle travel exceeds 500 kPa (5
kgflcm', 71 Psi). l{ the flow control
valve is normal, replace the PumPas an assemoly.
Install the power steering pressure
gauge, Close the Pressure contrcl
valve fully and m6ssure the PumPpressure {s€e page 17-34}.
17 -25,

Troubleshooting
Noise and Vibration
NOTE; Pump noise in first 2 - 3 minutes after starting in cold weather is normal.
Humming
Rattle or chattering
Humming due to pulsation of fluid is normal, particularlv when the wheel isturned with the vehicle stooDed.
lf equipped with automatic trans-mission, the hum could be thetorque conveater or pump noise.
Confirm by temporarily removingthe pump belt.
High-pressure line touching theframe.Reposition the line.
Loose steering shaft connector,tie-rod. or balljoint.Check and tighten, or replacepaats as necessary.
Column shaft wobbling.Replace the column assembly.
Check the rack guide tor properadjustment (see page 17,33).Adiusi, if necess€ry.
Rattling sound and feeling when turning the steering wheel raght and left with theengine OFF is normal.
Pump noise, though not loud. trom the valve body unit can be heard whon turn-ing the steering wheel right or left. This is normat.
CAUTION: When imp€sting, do not hold the steering wheet a[ the way tothe right or the left.
17-26

Inspection and Adjustment
Steering Operation
Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position,
and measure the distance the steering wheel can beturned without moving the front wheels.
ROTATIONAL PLAY: 0 - 10 mm l0 - 0.39 inl
lf the play exceeds the service limit. perform rack guide
adjustment (see page 17-33).
lf the play is still excessive after rack guide adjustment.inspect the steering linkage and gearbox as describedon the nel(t pag€.
ROTATIONAL PLAY
17-30
Power Assist Gheck with
Vehicle Parked
1. Check the power steering fluid level (see page 17-33) and pump belt tension (see page 17-32).
2. Start the engine, allow it to idle. and turn the steer-ing wheel from lock-tolock several times to warm
up the fluid.
3. Attach a spring scale to the steering wheel. With theengine idling and the vehicle on a clean, dry floor,pull the scale as shown and read it as soon as thetires begin to turn.
The scale should read no more than 29 N (3.0 kgf.
6.6 lbf). lf it reads more, check the gearbox andpump,
D0

Inspection and Adjustment
Pump Belt
NOTE: When using a new belt, first adjust the deflection
or tension to the values for the new belt, then readjust
the deflection or tension to the values for the used beltafter running engine for five minutes.
Inspection
Attach the special tool to the belt and measure the ten-sion of the belt.
Tension:'99 -'00 mod€ls: B1642 Engin. Type onlyUsed Bsh: 390 - 540 N lao - 55 kgt.88 - 120 tbf)New Belt:740 - 880 N {75 - 90 kgf, 170 - 200 tbt}'96 - '00 models: Other Engine Types
Used Beh: 340 - 490 N (35 - 50 kgf, 77 - ilO tbflNew Belt:640 - 780 N 165 - 80 ksf, 1& - 176 tbf)NOTE:
. lf there are cracks or any damage evident on the belt,reDlace it with a new one.. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the tensiongauge.
BELT TENSION GAUGE07JGG _ 001010A
Inspect the pump belt for cracks or any damage.Replace the belt with a new one if necessary.
Measuremont without Beh Tension Gauga:
Apply a force of 98 N (10 kgt,22 lbfl and measure thedeflection between the power steering pump and thecrankshaft pulleys.
Dsflectior:'99 -'00 model3: 816A2 Engine Typ€ ontyUsed Beh: 7.5 - 11.0 mm t0.30 - 0.43 inlNew Beh:5.0 - 7.0 mm (0.20 - 0.28 in)'96 - '00 models: Othor Engine Typos
Used Behi 10.5 - 14.0 mm (0.ial - 0.59 inlNow Beh:7.5 - 10.0 mm (0.30 - 0.39 inl
POWER STEERING PULUY
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY
17-32
Adiustment
1. Loosen the power steering pump mounting bolts.
2. Adjust the belt tension.
'99 - '00 mod€ls: 816A2 Engin€ Typo only
. Turn the adjusting bolt by hand to get the proper belttension, then retighten the mounting bolts,
ADJUSNNG BOLT
PUMP MOUNNNG BOLTS24 N.m (2.4 kgf'm, 17 tbtftlPOWER STEERINGPUMP
'96 -'00 modek: Othcr Engins Typos
. Pry power steering pump away from the engine witha wrench to get the proper belt tension, then retight-en the mounting bolts.
PUMP MOUNTING BOLT24 N.m (2,4 kgf.m, 17 lbl.ftl
PUMP MOUNTING BOLT24 N.m {2.a kgt m, 17 tbtftl
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel fromlock-to-lock several times, then stop the engine andrecheck the deflection of the belt,

IRack Guide Adjustment
NOTE: Perform rack guide adjustment with the wheels
in the straight ahead Position.
1. Loosen the rack guide screw locknut with the
cialtool.
'96 - '97 models:
Loosen the rack guide screw
'98 - '00 models:
Remove the rack guide screw and remove the old
sealant off of the threaded section.
Apply new sealant all around the threads. Loosely
installthe rack guide screw
Tighten the rack guide screw to 25 N'm (2.5 kgf'm.
18 lbf.ft), then loosen it.
Retighten the rack guide screw to 3 9 N'm (0.4 kgim,
2.9 lbf.ft), then back it off to specified angle.
Specified Return Angle: 20" max.
Tighten the locknut while holding the rack guide
screw.
Check for tight or loose steering through the com-
plete turning travel.
Perform following insPections:
. Steering operation (see page 17-30).
. Power assist with vehicle parked.
4.
LOCKNUT WRENCH, 40 mm
lr
17-33
Fluid Replacement
Check the reservoir at regular intervals, and add fluid as
necessary.
CAUTION: Always us€ Genuine Honda Power Stearing
Fluid-V or S. Using any other type of power sto€ring
tluid or automatic transmission lluid can cause
increased wear and poor steering in cold weathor.
SYSTEM CAPACITY:
0.85 liter 10.90 US' qt,0.75 lmp'qt)
at disassembly
RESERVOIR CAPACITY:
0.4 liter (0.42 US. qt, 0.35 lmP.qt)
LEVEL LINE
LOWER LEVEL LINE
1. Raise the reservoir, then disconnect the return nose.
2. Connect a hose of suitable diameter to the discon-
nected return hose, and put the hose end in a suit-
able container.
CAUTION: Take care not to spill tho fluid on the
body and parts. Wipe off any spill€d fluid at oncs'
3. Start the engine, let it run at idle, and turn the steer-
ing wheel from lock-to-lock several times When
fluid stops running out of the hose, shut off the
engine, Discard the fluid.
4. Reinstall the return hose on the reservoir'
5. Fill the reservoir to the upper level line.
6. Start the engine and run it at fast idle, then turn the
steering trom lock-to-lock several times to bleed air
trom the system.
7. Recheck the fluid level and add some it necessary.
CAUTION: Do not fill the reservoir beYond the
upper l€vel line.
HOSE

lnspection and Adjustment
Pump Pressure Check
Check the fluid pressure as follows to determine
whether the trouble is in the pump or gearbox.
NOTE: First check the power steering fluid level andpump belt tension.
CAUTION: Disconnect the high pr$sure hos€ with care
so as not lo spill the power sieering tluid on tha frame
and other parts.
1. Disconnect the outlet line from the Dumo outlet fit-
ting, then installthe P/S joint adaptor (pump) on the
Dumo outlet.
2. Connect the P/S joint adaptor (hose) to the power
steering pressure gauge, then connect the outlet
hose to the adaptor.
3. Install the power steering pressure gauge to the P/Sjoint adaptor (pump) as shown.
ourlEr HosE FnrNo ,t"ll lrilu"ott
P/S JOINT ADAPTOB IHOSEI07RAK - S0i10l2rol07RAK- 50{{)120
P/S PRESSURE GAUGE07406 - 001000Aor07406 - 0010001
4. Open the shut-off valve fully.
5. Open the pressure control valve fully.
17-34
(Pa.t of tooll11 N.m11.1 kgt m, 8 lbf.ftl
PRESSURECONTROL VALVE
SHUT.OFFVALVE
PUMP OUTLETFITTING
6 x 1.0 mm BOLTlPart of tool)11 N.m11.1 kgf m, 8 lbtftl
7.
Start the engine and let it idle.
Turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several
times to warm the fluid to operating temperature.
Measure steady-state fluid pressure while idling. If
the pump is in good condition, the gauge should
read less than 1500 kPa (15 kgf/cmr, 213 psi).
lf it reads high, check the outlet line or valve body
unit (see General Troubleshooting 17-22).
Close the pressure control valve, then close the
shut-off valve gradually until the pressure gauge
needle is stable. Read the oressure.
lmmediately open the pressure control valve fully.
GAUTION: Do not keep lhe prossure control valve
clos€d more then 5 soconds or the pump could be
damagod by over-heating.
lf the pump is in good condition, the gauge should
read at least 6,400 - 7,400 kPa (65 - 75 kgflcm,, 920 -
1,070 psi). A low reading means pump output is too
low for full assist. Repair or replace the pump,
9.
P/S PBESSURE GAUGE07{16 -@1@OA
oi
SI{UT.OFF VALVE