I've replaced 2 O2 sensors in my 03 Accord V6 in the last year. About a month ago on a very cold day, my Accord started very "hard" and the engine malfunction light came on. I went to Autozone to pull the codes. One was P2195 (O2 sensor stuck lean, bank 1 sensor 1), the other I don't remember the code but it was emissions related. So I took it to the Firestone I'd been taking my car to for all repairs so far (they replaced one of the O2 sensors). They said there's nothing wrong with the car, but that there was a service bulletin from Honda that said the ECU can throw the P2195 (or P2197) code by mistake because of an error in the software. They gave me the bulletin which basically just tells you to go to a Honda dealership for the software update. I contacted the dealership, but they sort of wrote of the whole bulletin idea without any consideration. I contacted them again, same thing. So I just made an appointment for them to look at it. I just took it in today. They claimed their computers can read more in depth into the ECU. After 3 hours they finally came back and told me it was throwing P2195 (wow, geniuses) and they also said theres some issue with the intake valve and gasket. On the receipt it references code P1078 (intake valve recommendations declined needs IMT), which IIRC is the one I pulled at Autozone. However, at Autozone, it did not say anything about the intake valve. I asked the lady at the dealership if this intake valve issue was "the problem" and the reason the codes were being thrown. I was told basically that they don't know and theres only one way to find out...sink $350 more dollars into their dealership. Furthermore, she said theres an issue with the intake valve plus an issue with the intake valve gasket. But on the receipt it only states "valve upper intake gasket and by pass gasket parts and labor..." So before I get ripped off and still have a broken car, does this even make sense? Can code P1078 mean an issues with the intake valve. And if so, why couldn't they definitively say that is the issue? In my experience, when codes are getting thrown, the issues seems black and white for the mechanic.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention...my Accord threw the P2195 code in the past, and that was one of the O2 sensors that has been replaced already.

 

For the P2195, if the dealer didn't consider updating the software, ask them again or try another dealer. This is the service bulletin you already saw.

ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/HondaJosh/2009-04-19_222730_zzz.pdf

Also, do you know what was the brand of the air/fuel ratio sensor that was replaced?

Your car has 2 air/fuel ratio sensors and two secondary oxygen sensors. The location is attached.

 

P1078 is the IMT Actuator. It's a bypass valve actuator, aka intake manifold tuning (IMT) actuator, or intake manifold runner control (IMRC).

I believe only the V6, coupe, manual transmission had this in your year. Usual suspects to check first are poor connection, loose terminal, or damaged to wiring. It may also be that the part needs replacement. Who knows, if the dealer does the software update for the ECU, it may take of this code too if it was some bug in the software.

The part is shown in the attached picture.

 

Yes, thats the service bulletin. I don't know why they kept blowing it off basically. I guess they want to just make money.

I don't know what brand of sensor that Firestone used. I cant really tell where in the engine bay the "bank 1, sensor 1" is with the attached picture. If you could describe it or if you have a better picture, maybe I could find a brand name of part code on it. The lady at the Honda dealership kept referring to "aftermarket parts". When I questioned her about it, she said places like Firestone use "aftermarket" parts and not "real" (Honda genuine) parts lol...it was a somewhat entertaining conversation. I really don't trust this dealership, but it's the only Honda dealership anywhere around here :/

 

It sucks too, because I had to pay $90 in diagnostics and $10 in (apparent) EPA disposal fees.

They claimed today that those fees are absorbed into the cost if I have the repair done there. If I dont, I'm just out $100

 

Looking from the front of the car Bank 1 is the REAR (firewall) and Bank 2 is the FRONT (radiator side).

 

Ok, so can it be seen from the top? Is it in the center of the engine bay, or toward the left or right?

 

Good Post and Information RedBull-1
Hello FAT RYAN...haven't see you around much lately..stick around more often...

 

Ha! Yeah, I won't have any spare time until I'm done grad school. Until then, I'll probably just be here when I have problems, like now :/

And redbull, thanks a lot for the help by the way.