Diagnose and Fix Most Common 8th Gen Honda Accord Problems
The 8th gen Accord was released in the United States in 2008. It was longer and wider than its predecessor and was considered an executive car according to EPA standards. Like any other make and model, there are a few Honda Accord problems that are common to this generation.
The list provided below highlights the top 5 common problems that we’ve encountered in the 8th gen Accord. Most of them are normal maintenance issues. They do not in any way mean that the Accord is a bad vehicle. Let’s dive in.
The Most Common Problems in the 8th Gen Accord
These are the top 5 Honda Accord problems we’ve encountered in the 8th gen model. Most of them require simple fixes that you can do yourself. The 8th gen Accord remains to be one of the most reliable models from Honda and an appealing choice for many. As such, don’t let these few maintenance issues hold you back if you’re looking to buy the car.
1. Alternator Problems
Symptoms of Alternator Failure
One of the most common symptoms you’ll notice is the vehicle stalling while driving. The battery warning light may appear on the dash to give you a warning before this happens.
Causes of Alternator Failure
When the engine is running, the alternator charges and maintains the battery to help supply additional electric power to the car’s electrical systems. The alternator is driven by the drive belt (serpentine belt) and you’ll mostly find it bolted to the engine block.
The alternator in the 8th gen Honda Accord tends to go bad after some time.
How to Fix Alternator Failure
If you find out that your battery is dead, it’s possible that the alternator was not charging it. You’ll have to charge the battery or in the worst-case scenario, replace it. The alternator should also be replaced. This will require you to remove the battery, serpentine belt, and cables that connect to it in order to access it.
Read more about how to test if the alternator or battery is the cause
2. Ignition Coils: Misfire Codes P0300-P0306
Symptoms of a Bad Ignition Coil
An ignition coil uses the battery’s voltage to create a spark in the spark plugs. This helps to ignite the fuel in an internal combustion engine. On the 8th gen Accord, there are four ignition coils connected to the spark plugs if you own the 4-cylinder engine and six ignition coils if you own a V6 engine.
The former has the coils arranged in a straight line at the middle of the engine while the latter has three both at the front and backside. If any one of them fails, you’ll end up with an engine misfire. The engine may start to shake and you may get a check engine light with a P0300-P0306 trouble code.
How to Replace Bad Ignition Coil
To replace an ignition coil, you’ll need to first disconnect the connector, take the securing nut off, and remove the bad coil. It’s always a good idea to replace the spark plugs as well when you’re installing a new ignition coil. This will help prevent any related Honda Accord problems in the future.
3. Crankshaft Position Sensor
Symptoms of a Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor
The crankshaft position sensor helps to monitor and maintain the rotational speed and position of the crankshaft in an internal combustion engine. In your 8th gen Accord, you should find it underneath the vehicle where it is secured by a metallic plate.
Some of the Honda Accord problems you may notice when the sensor goes bad is seeing a check engine light on the dash or having a car that stalls or won’t start at all. In the no-start condition, the engine will only crank.
How to Fix a Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor on the 2008 to 2012 Honda Accord
To replace a bad crankshaft position sensor, you’ll need to remove any securing plates and bolts, disconnect the electrical connector, and replace the bad sensor with a new one. A relearn procedure is also required. You can do this using a scan tool.
4. Catalytic Converter Failure
Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is a device that is used to reduce pollutants and toxic gases found in exhaust gas into less-toxic gases. It catalyzes a redox reaction to control exhaust emissions. In the 8th gen Honda Accord, there are two catalytic converters – one at the front and one at the back in front of the O2 sensor.
The first thing you’re going to notice when you have a bad catalytic converter is a check engine light with a P0420 or a P0430 code. Another symptom would be a car that does not accelerate fast when you step on the gas.
How to Fix a Bad Catalytic Converter
You’ll need to confirm that you have no intake or exhaust leaks when diagnosing the problem. Once you’re clear, you can start by removing all the securing bolts to replace the bad catalytic converter.
One way to prevent this problem in your Honda Accord is to do routine tune-ups, change the spark plugs regularly, and replace any bad coils. Bad coils can release raw fuel to the catalytic converter causing it to overheat and plug up.
5. Blower Motor Failure
Symptoms of a Bad Blower Motor
The blower motor sends cooled or heated air into the cabin based on your AC settings. In your 8th gen Honda Accord, you’ll find it located underneath the glove box on the passenger’s side. It is protected by a plastic cover that you would need to remove to access it.
The blower motor turns on every time you activate your HVAC. It works to push the air when you increase the speed of the fan. There are two main situations that will require you to replace the blower motor – when it’s making a loud noise or when it’s not working at all.
If you turn the heat on and nothing comes out of any of the vents, you definitely have a problem with the motor.
How to Fix a Bad Blower Motor
To replace the blower motor, all you’ll need to do is disconnect its electrical connection, unbolt it from its position, and replace it with a new blower motor.
8th Generation Honda Accord Model Years
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- Blower Motor Making Noise? [Expert advice: diagnose & fix]
- Most Common 9th Gen Honda Accord Problems
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Brilliant blog…
Lol that is so funny my alternator just went out on me like few days ago.