Hey... I'm having some problems with my car. The check engine light came on. When I was driving four hours back to school it started blinking and the car has been running bad every since. I had a diagnostics test done with codes P0420 Catalist Effic code and P0300 Random Cyl Misfire. A shop I took it to told me that my spark plugs needed to be changed. I changed them, but the car is still making a noise and the check engine light starts blinkking 30 seconds after I start my car.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what the problem is, what needs to be done to fix it, and how much its going to cost?

Thanks,
Amanda

 

For the P0300 code:

The spark plug wires could also be bad.

Spray a mist of water on the spark plug wires while the car is running at night. If you see sparks jumping or arching, then the wires likely need replaced. That is a pretty inexpensive repair.

Another possibility is that one or more injectors are clogged up. You can pick up some fuel injector cleaner and add it to your gas to see if that helps clear up the problem.

As for the P0420:

The catalytic converter is likely bad. Honda converters are very expensive. You should consider a direct fit one for around $150 like an eastern catalytic converter.

 

Thanks...I'm going to try the first two before moving onto the catalytic converter. The mechanic said that it was cylinders 2 and 5 that were malfunctioning. Would those be the middle one in the front and the middle one in the back? Because I believe those two spark plugs looked worse than the other four. Also, about how often do catalytic converters go on Hondas? I have about 133,000 mi. Thanks so much!

-Amanda

 

I'm sorry, I don't know how the ignition is setup on a V6. I'm guessing that they have coil packs, but have no clue how they are setup.

Hopefully someone else on here can give you some better information.

 

2000 V-6 has individual coils on each spark plug, so there are no spark plug wires for you to spray water on.
I dont know the cylinder numbering scheme.

 

firewall side on top bumper on bottom
123
456

 

^ Yep.

 

i cheated... i gott HAYNES repair manual haha i have the same car too btw

i have had the same problems but not as bad.
i changed all the plugs on the car its not hard just take the hex bolt out on the coil then change it like a regular pulg. the passenger rear one is the hardest just cuz you cant reach it easyly.... hint do it while the car is cold... haha

 

Thanks everyone! It ended up being one of the coils that needed to be replaced. I'm glad I changed the plugs myself before finding out what the actual problem was. I would've been mad if I paid the $225 dollars some place tried charging me, and then have to pay for the coil too. If anybody else runs into a similar problem tell them to check the coils.

Thanks again,
Amanda

 

thanks for letting us know what the fix was,its always nice to know if the suggestions we make on here work out or not.