Fumes in cabin & lights dimming??

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Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/10/2007 1:24:35 PM    jon.hand Posts: 9 Joined: 10/10/2007 From: Reading England UK Status: offline Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. I have a 2004 Honda Accord 2.2 iCTDi estate executive. (UK spec) I have had it for about 6-7 months, on which the first 3 months I had no issues with the car, on the fourth month I noticed a funny smell in the cabin of the car (with the car climate setting on 'auto') It smelt like an exhaust type of smell. When you pushed the climate button to re-circ, the smell would gradually go away. This was really noticeable when the car is sitting in traffic. I took the car to a local 'kwik-fit' (car exhaust garage) and asked them to check if there were any leaks on the exhaust, on which they checked up to the CAT and said it was ok. I then took the car to my local Honda dealer, who did not appear to be very helpful; they suggested it was coming from bacteria in the A/C system?? They said that the A/C system would have to be chemical cleaned to solve the problem. I said if it solved the problem, please do it. When I got the car back from the Honda dealer after they had cleaned the A/C system?? There appeared to be a very strong chemical smell in the cabin, the Honda dealer said this was normal, and would go after a week or so, on which it did, but after a week the fume type smell re-appeared. When I say re-appeared, it probably never went; it was probably just masked by the chemical smell. For the last couple of months, I can only drive the car with the climate control, in re-circ   Can anybody help with this?? My other problem with the car, is the dimming of the lights (head lights, interior & rear lights), when the car has the head lights on (& interior lights on) at tick over, all the electrics seem ok, when you gently rev the car the lights dim?? When you rev the car a little harder (say over 2000 rpm) the lights get brighter. Again I have been to my local Honda dealer, who just replies back with the comment 'that this is normal', yet I have never seen any other Honda Accord (same model) do this?? When I bought the car, I fitted a bigger (more amperes) Bosch battery. Any Ideas anyone Many thanks for reading this problem   Apart from the above, I love the car, & don’t really want to change it. Jonny H Post #: 1

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/10/2007 1:45:05 PM    falkore24 Posts: 5950 Joined: 8/16/2007 From: Wayne, NJ Status: offline Can you hear an exhaust leak?  Honda ripped you off.  Have you or they changed the cabin filters?  The electrical issue sounds like a dying alt. Signature please. _____________________________ 2006 Scion TC (ZPI-18G pending) 2000 V6-AT (RIP 3G) Temp Search thanks to Finch13 (in reply to jon.hand) Post #: 2

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/10/2007 2:20:24 PM    jon.hand Posts: 9 Joined: 10/10/2007 From: Reading England UK Status: offline Many thanks for your quick reply Falkore, they did not charge me for changing the filters, so I would say they were not fitted, do you believe this is the problem? (i have attached a copy of the receipt, I think) And your answer on the lights dimming, being the alternator, the car has done nearly 90K, what would you expect the life expectancy of an alternator? Many thanks again I think I've added the signature thing Jonny H  Thumbnail Image Attachment (1) _____________________________ 2004 Honda accord 2.2 iCTDi Ex. (UK spec) (in reply to falkore24) Post #: 3

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/10/2007 4:09:42 PM    falkore24 Posts: 5950 Joined: 8/16/2007 From: Wayne, NJ Status: offline Thanks for the sig.  Doesn't appear that they changed the filters.  You can DIY and there are instructions on HAF for that.  You basically just have to take out the glovebox to get to them.  I have under 90k and have changed the alt already, so I'd test it.  The simple test is to start the car and pull one of the leads off of the battery to see if the car stalls or runs.  If it passes this test, bring it to your auto parts store for them to check the charging system with loading (free at most places here in the US).  As for the fumes, you haven't solved this issue.  Try to listen for puffing leakage near the engine.  I'm thinking that you are leaking exhaust and it's getting sucked into the AC vent that is near your windshield. (in reply to jon.hand) Post #: 4

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/10/2007 11:47:54 PM    jon.hand Posts: 9 Joined: 10/10/2007 From: Reading England UK Status: offline Many thanks, I try what you suggested this weekend. _____________________________ 2004 Honda accord 2.2 iCTDi Ex. (UK spec) (in reply to falkore24) Post #: 5

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/11/2007 5:17:26 AM    falkore24 Posts: 5950 Joined: 8/16/2007 From: Wayne, NJ Status: offline Keep us posted! (in reply to jon.hand) Post #: 6

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/11/2007 7:33:30 AM    00AccordLX5spd Posts: 3815 Joined: 1/16/2007 Status: offline Also check & make sure your battery connections are clean & tight. _____________________________ 2000 Accord LX Sedan F23A1 5spd -Short Shift Adapter -eBay SRI w/ K&N 1995 Accord V6 Sedan AT - AKA "the money pit" 1991 Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible - my daily driver all through college - now sits in my dad''s garage - needs a little TLC (in reply to falkore24) Post #: 7

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/12/2007 11:34:17 AM    jon.hand Posts: 9 Joined: 10/10/2007 From: Reading England UK Status: offline Falkore I took out the glove box and removed the filter, I could only see 1 filter in there. You mentioned previously that there were filters (more than one) I've had a look through the DIY section, but could not seem to find it, could you advise if there are more than one filter I took a picture's of the filter I just took off, whould you say it looks like it needs replacing? Jonny H Attachment (2) _____________________________ 2004 Honda accord 2.2 iCTDi Ex. (UK spec) (in reply to jon.hand) Post #: 8

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/12/2007 12:16:09 PM    00AccordLX5spd Posts: 3815 Joined: 1/16/2007 Status: offline I'd replace it.  I'm not sure if there is 1 or 2 filters.  I imagine if you didn't see another filter in there there is probably only one.  Also the UK model could be slightly different than the US model.  But I don't have that generation (7th gen) accord so I can't really even answer whether or not the US model has 1 or 2 filters. _____________________________ 2000 Accord LX Sedan F23A1 5spd -Short Shift Adapter -eBay SRI w/ K&N 1995 Accord V6 Sedan AT - AKA "the money pit" 1991 Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible - my daily driver all through college - now sits in my dad''s garage - needs a little TLC (in reply to jon.hand) Post #: 9

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/12/2007 12:42:26 PM    JimBlake   Posts: 3285 Joined: 5/31/2006 Status: offline The UK '04 Accord is the same as the USA Acura TSX. The USA 7th-gen Accord has only one cabin air filter.  I expect Honda would do the same (1-filter) for both cars. _____________________________ '03 Accord & '07 Civic '01 Saab 9³ & '05 9²x (in reply to 00AccordLX5spd) Post #: 10

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/12/2007 1:11:43 PM    jon.hand Posts: 9 Joined: 10/10/2007 From: Reading England UK Status: offline Nice one guys (00AccordLX5spd - sorry I don't know your name),  thanks for your help, I'll go down to the Honda garage tomorrow and order a replacement. With regards to the lights dimming, I've checked the battery terminals, they seem nice and tight, so I would suggest (from previous guidance) the alternator may need replacing. I've had a good look in the compact engine compartment, can someone confirm the alternator (from the attached pictures) I think its picture DSC02341, but there appears to be something clamped to it?? Jonny H Attachment (2) _____________________________ 2004 Honda accord 2.2 iCTDi Ex. (UK spec) (in reply to JimBlake) Post #: 11

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/12/2007 2:37:11 PM    JimBlake   Posts: 3285 Joined: 5/31/2006 Status: offline 2342 looks like the AC compressor so that's out. USA doesn't get the diesel engines, so it looks unfamiliar.  It might be easier to see from the other (non-pulley) end.  The small bit that's visible at the arrow looks like it has the kind of vent holes that are typical of an alternator. _____________________________ '03 Accord & '07 Civic '01 Saab 9³ & '05 9²x (in reply to jon.hand) Post #: 12

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/13/2007 1:21:38 AM    jon.hand Posts: 9 Joined: 10/10/2007 From: Reading England UK Status: offline I just got the replacemet air filter, I was quite shocked at the difference (look at the attached picture) Jonny H Attachment (1) _____________________________ 2004 Honda accord 2.2 iCTDi Ex. (UK spec) (in reply to JimBlake) Post #: 13

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/13/2007 12:55:37 PM    ckebottle   Posts: 864 Joined: 9/22/2006 Status: online Are the exhaust fumes still present? If so...maybe you could try this, but please someone verify if this would work.  Run a seafoam treatment through your car...but I think somebody said you have a diesel and not sure if seafoam works with diesel engines.  Anyways, if you can run the seafoam treatment, when you start revving up your engine and if white smoke comes out of anywhere BUT the muffler, wouldn't that mean there was a leak?  Not 100% sure.  Hopefully someone here will verify if this would work for you. _____________________________ 99 accord ex 4cyl 4dr at 95 mercury grand marquis (in reply to jon.hand) Post #: 14

RE: Fumes in cabin & lights dimming?? - 10/13/2007 2:31:39 PM    jon.hand Posts: 9 Joined: 10/10/2007 From: Reading England UK Status: offline Got the just of what this seafoam does, but I must admit, in the UK, I have never heard of this before (for petrol or desiel's) but it sounds a good idea. i have replaced the filter, and it seems better, but I don't know whether its just me knowing I've changed a filter? I got a cost of Honda for a replacement alternator, it was £260 (not sure what that is in dollars, but would guess at about $400), I obviously declined, now need to search on the web. For your guys info, the cabin filter cost me £23 (again would guess this as $40) jonny H _____________________________ 2004 Honda accord 2.2 iCTDi Ex. (UK spec) (in reply to ckebottle) Post #: 15

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