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Houston, we have a problem

Tech tips

From a Honda reset to f ood cars cautions

HONDA MAINTENANCE RESET

Using the 2010 Accord as an example: The vehicle must be stopped to reset. If the required service is performed and the display is not reset, or if the display is reset without doing the service, the system will not show the proper maintenance timing.

1. Turn the ignition switch to ON. 2. If oil life is more than 15%, press the

SEL/RESET knob repeatedly until the engine oil life is displayed. 3. Press the SEL/RESET knob for about 10 seconds. The engine oil life and the maintenance item code(s) will blink. 4. Press the SEL/RESET knob for another f ve seconds. The maintenance item code(s) will disappear and the engine oil life will reset to “100.”

Resetting maintenance items 1. Connect the Honda diagnostic system (HDS) to the data link connector (DLC). 2. Turn the ignition switch to ON. 3. Make sure that the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the engine control module/powertrain control module (ECM/

PCM). If it doesn’t communicate, troubleshoot the DLC circuit. 4. Select GAUGES in the BODY ELECTRICAL with the HDS. 5. Select ADJUSTMENT in the GAUGES with the HDS. 6. Select MAINTENANCE MINDER in the

ADJUSTMENT with the HDS. 7. Select RESET in the MAINTENANCE

MINDER with the HDS. 8. Select the individual maintenance item you wish to reset.

FLOOD CAR CAUTIONS

You may very well be coming into contact with f ood vehicles as a result of the Hurricane Sandy tragedy. These cars pose a very serious health risk not only to their new owners but to those of us in the repair industry who may unknowingly come in contact with them. As you know, f ood waters are highly contaminated with sewage and chemicals of all sorts. Now all of a sudden, a simple scratch on your hand that comes in contact with carpet padding or any other part of the car can easily lead to a nasty staph infection or worse.

A technician from the Northeast told us he was working on a car that had a data line problem, and he traced the problem to the air bag module. When the passenger’s seat was removed and the carpet pulled back for access to the module, the technician said his hands started to burn and the smell was overpowering.

After thoroughly washing his hands, he put on two pairs of blue nitrate gloves and a high-quality breathing mask. The metal cover of the module was eaten through. We don’t know if it was from the chemicals in the water it was submerged in or the super strong soaps and disinfectants used to clean the car afterwards. The technician replaced the module and wire harness and noted his f ndings on the repair order so the service advisor could inform the unsuspecting customer. This is important because this car will more than likely have a lifetime of unusual problems. More importantly, what is the customer being exposed to as he sits in the car and breathes the air coming through the HVAC vents? I suspect some nasty bacteria is living in areas that the best of detail shops can’t get to. Keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t look or smell right, wear gloves, masks, eye protection and even clothing protection when dealing with a suspicious car.

For your own safety and well-being — be careful! ●

Information for these Tech Tips is courtesy of Identif x Inc. See www.identif x.com.