1997 HONDA CIVIC

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear under light throttle, Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive, Transmission fluid smells burnt or appears dark brown, Check Engine Light with P0730, P0740, or P1738 codes

Fix: The 4-speed automatic (especially in DX/LX models) has weak pressure control solenoids and the torque converter lockup fails. Rebuild requires 8-12 labor hours; many shops recommend replacement with a remanufactured unit due to internal wear patterns. Cooler lines often need replacement simultaneously.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Reverse to Drive or during hard acceleration, Excessive engine movement visible from the driver's seat during throttle blips, Vibration at idle that worsens with A/C compressor engaged, Visible cracks or separation in the rubber mount material

Fix: Front mount (transmission side) and rear mount fail most often due to heat and oil exposure. Right-side motor mount also prone to tearing. Replace all three at once: 2.5-3.5 hours labor. OEM Honda mounts last longest; aftermarket poly mounts are harsher but never fail.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Symptoms: One or both headlights intermittently go out, return after hitting a bump, Headlights flicker or dim when using turn signals or brake lights, Melted or discolored headlight connector housings, Dashboard lights brighten when headlights turn off

Fix: Factory headlight connectors corrode and overheat, melting the plug. Ground point behind the headlight assembly also rusts out. Fix involves cleaning grounds (G401 and G402), replacing headlight pigtail connectors, and often rewiring with relay harness. 1.5-2 hours labor if caught early; more if wiring is damaged.

Estimated cost: $150-400

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: No-start condition with cranking but no spark, Intermittent stalling that worsens when engine is hot, Check Engine Light with P1381 or P1382 (CYP/TDC sensor codes), Engine runs rough or misfires under load

Fix: Internal ignition coil in the distributor fails, often taking the igniter module with it. External coil (D16Y8 VTEC) is easier to diagnose. Full distributor replacement is typical: 1.5 hours labor. Timing must be reset afterward. Aftermarket units fail frequently; OEM or Denso recommended.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Symptoms: No-start when engine is hot, starts fine after cooling 20-30 minutes, Fuel pump does not prime (no 2-second hum when key turned to ON), Check Engine Light may or may not illuminate, Tapping on relay under dash temporarily restores function

Fix: Solder joints on the main relay (PGM-FI relay) crack from heat cycles. Located under the driver's side dash. Remove, open, resolder joints: 0.5 hours if DIY. Replacement relay: 0.3 hours labor. This is the most common cause of hot no-start in 90s Hondas.

Estimated cost: $80-180

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Window drops into door or moves very slowly, Grinding or clicking noise when operating window switch, Window goes down but will not go back up, Window off-track, sits crooked in the door frame

Fix: Plastic window regulator gears strip, or the motor brushes wear out. Driver's side fails most often. Replacement requires door panel removal and regulator swap: 1.5-2 hours per side. Aftermarket regulators have mixed quality; OEM units are expensive but reliable.

Estimated cost: $200-450