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I have a 97 acura integra. I love it, but I don't have anyone I can trust to work on it.
The car runs okay, but recently some electrical(?) things stopped working:
radio
cd player
the cigarette lighter (can't use the GPS now Wahhh)
Some lights on the dash
The antenna (it used to retract, but it gave up)
I'm scared to take it to the dealer. I did take the car to them for a tune-up. They didn't ruin it, but a salesman was hovering around and I'm afraid they may try to screw up my car to get me to buy a new one.
I would LOVE a new car, but that's not in the boo-zjay.
SO, is this some sort of spark plug that needs to be replaced or something?
If I can open and do things in a computer, am I qualified to change a spark plug? How do I do it?
Spark plugs have absolutely nothing to do with your dash lights and cigarette lighter. They light the air/fuel mixture in your engine to get the car moving. The first thing I would check are all of your fuses because its possible that one may be blown.
Probably some wires getting shorted or some fuses got blown. The dealer is very unlikely to break your car to try to get you to buy a new one. Take it to them or an independent shop and have them run some tests.
First take your owners manual out of the dash and read through it. You probably have a blown fuse, which you should be able to change yourself, the owners manual should show where the fuse block is and how to change the fuse.
You need maybe to start with reading up on car care and maintenance, Sir Jackie Stewart has written a few excellent books on the subject.
See if you can't find a good independent shop, preferably one specializing in imports, maybe even specializing in Honda/Acura. I think you will need professional services on your car for a while even if you eventually learn to DIY at the highest level...
Dealers are typically not that good with older model cars. And by older I mean beyond 5-6 years old.
I have a 97 acura integra. I love it, but I don't have anyone I can trust to work on it.
The car runs okay, but recently some electrical(?) things stopped working:
radio
cd player
the cigarette lighter (can't use the GPS now Wahhh)
Some lights on the dash
The antenna (it used to retract, but it gave up)
I'm scared to take it to the dealer. I did take the car to them for a tune-up. They didn't ruin it, but a salesman was hovering around and I'm afraid they may try to screw up my car to get me to buy a new one.
I would LOVE a new car, but that's not in the boo-zjay.
SO, is this some sort of spark plug that needs to be replaced or something?
If I can open and do things in a computer, am I qualified to change a spark plug? How do I do it?
Kinky
I don't believe you. Hondas "never have problems" j/k
I don't believe you. Hondas "never have problems" j/k
Well not quite, but they certainly tend to have far less of them than some other makes. A blown fuse is not a serious issue and can often be triggered by plugging in a faulty car charger or something of that sort.
P.S. I do not own any Honda's/Acura's (most of them put me to sleep).
Well to be fair, I did leave the sunroof open many times during rain storms. I suspect that may have caused the issue.
Okay, this "changing the fuse" thing sounds like it's doable. I've changed the old-fashioned screw-on fuses before. I turned off the main power first, though. Do I have to take any special precautions w/ a car.
AND my car is used, so I have to look up the owners manual online.
Well, I have to buy my cars based on financial concerns, not taste. Sad but true. I don't really have a dream car, but I would like a Honda Ridgeline or one of those cute new convertibles. Not the teeny ones, but the ones that look like then new Nissan. Cute!
Anyway, thanks for narrowing it down and the solution sounds SIMPLE!
Well, I have to buy my cars based on financial concerns, not taste. Sad but true. I don't really have a dream car, but I would like a Honda Ridgeline or one of those cute new convertibles. Not the teeny ones, but the ones that look like then new Nissan. Cute!
Anyway, thanks for narrowing it down and the solution sounds SIMPLE!
Wow if I can fix it, I will have saved $$$ and that is so GREAT!
If the tweezers that came with the car are gone, if you buy a replacement fues kit, which you will need anyway, the better ones come with a set of tweezers.
Just be sure to replace the fuse with the correct same size (amp rating) which is printed on the fuse. Some are color-coded.
Quit leaving your sunroof open in the rain...that will eventually cause problems and may be the source of your trouble...
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j/k
