Honda CRV: No Power, VSA & Red Brake Light On

In this video I have a look at an older CRV that has a customer complaint of no power (won't go over 35mph) they also stated that the red brake light and VSA light was on. Are the problems related? Let's find out! -Enjoy!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@joshuamaaz3797]

Got a chance to meet Eric last week while I happened to be in the area and had a tire leaking. Great guy, super accommodating even though I caught him right as he was closing up. Thanks so much for taking care of the tire and being a cool guy to talk to for a few minutes! Love your channel keep these videos coming! I find them super helpful and enjoyable to watch!

[@ChuckWood14]

Cool! WTG Eric, I love hearing comments like this. I'm sure there have been many occasions like this for you that go unmentioned.

[@coollasice4175]

I hope you didn't refill your tire with some of that "bad air".

[@nickdagreek203]

Meeting Eric is like meeting a movie star. Like burt Reynolds

[@vinces8974]

Meeting Eric would be better than meeting a movie star because he actually has a lot of practical and useful knowledge

[@gatekeeper65]

@@nickdagreek203 But Burt Reynolds is dead ! I'm sure Eric's more exciting than that. ;O)

[@richardbambenek2601]

You omitted one option re: the cat, the jerks of the world chopping off converters in the dark of night. I myself was a victim while my SUV was in a shop parking lot waiting for service the next day.

[@Troy_Built]

I spent most of this past Monday pricing converters. Someone got several in a parking lot over the weekend.

[@kevinmiller4486]

A few years back a friend brought me a 10 yr old cr-v that was in Syracuse area and later southern Fl. Couldn’t believe how much corrosion it had on everything underneath. First issue was getting the wheels to come off the hubs. Then the caliper pins where nearly frozen. Put all new brake components on and got it all working again. The rust belt is so hard on vehicles. Love the videos and your teaching.

[@gplusgplus2286]

Yeah, my 2001 Greek Audi will look like that in something like 200 years here...

[@mataiterapreha]

Yea i live about 5km from the beach here in nz and I'm still driving a 95 toyota hiace! Even had it stuck on the beach once

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

That comment was copacetic.

[@tylermartelle7041]

"You don't wanna be rippin' VTEC on a cold engine I'll tell ya that." Wiser words have never been spoken.

[@Watchman999]

Is it even a good idea on a hot engine?

[@johnh8546]

Well VTEC has an interlock that prevents it from engaging on a cold engine. Past not a good idea it's not possible.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

Then there's that kid in Florida who locked his V-TEC in full time. Nasty good sounding idle though.

[@brianburns7211]

Works for Stuntman

[@bigdaddymak1439]

I thought it was VTEC YO?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@conrailfan6277]

The old potato up the tail pipe!!! Eric when you retire from the shop you'll be packing the comedy clubs!! You are the best on youtube!!!!

[@miketaylor6282]

I would’ve never thought about the master cylinder leaking into the booster and the engine burning it. Learned my lesson for the day, thanks!

[@zxborg9681]

As a home DIY'er, option 3 would never have occurred to me in a million years. Learned me something new today.

[@WhalerGA]

Hey, that parking brake is in a perfect place for DRIFTING (in a CRV) !!

[@FixIt1975]

Drifting that would probably snap it in half

[@pfsenterprisesllchill2695]

I really like how you show both common sense mechanical tests and investigations along with computer support to get a better picture of the problems going on. Unfortunately some newer mechanics rely solely on computer analysis which doesnt always give you the whole story. I also try to get as much history from the customer as I can. I like to solve the problem, not pass it on. Please keep teaching as you go. Great content!

[@Prisonmike89]

I've got myself a 2004 CRV with a manual. It's a good little car. Some of them burn oil which can take out the cat.

[@gregeconomeier1476]

SMA hasn't brought out the "JUDGE" lately. I think you should bring out the JUDGE!

[@zr1sparky1]

Erik, Didn't believe it was possible but your videos just keep getting better

[@Str86diesel]

Your sense of humor gets me. I don't even know what baseball team that is.

[@monkeyCmonkeyDoo]

That rot is crazy, my 2006 CRV will turn 280k this week and the control arms and under body still have the factory finish.

[@99andrianmonk]

"Dryer than a popcorn fart" - I come for the knowledge you convey and stay for the humor. Another great video. Still sopping up the mouthful of water I spit out. Also, on the way to the garage to check the brake fluid level in my CR-V.

[@richardbambenek2601]

My all time favorite Eric O "ism" putting on your safety squints. LOL I have adopted that one because it's relatable.

[@brucejones2354]

@@richardbambenek2601, if you think that "safety squints" is only used by Eric you must not have watched AVE.

[@richardbambenek2601]

@@brucejones2354 I have not. Maybe that's where he got it from. I lead such a sheltered life. LOL

[@erickdanielsson6710]

Frank you never heard that before. It's an Old Western NY Term.

[@bobsgunk1871]

@@brucejones2354 But he forgot them in this episode.

[@lawrencewright5145]

Fun fun fun every time I watch you mr. O

[@mleindek]

Man, that undercarriage is rough, even for New England. That Hondoo is ready for the scrap yard.

[@seanramirez488]

It has been 20 years since I have had any kind of thought about Quick Draw McDraw.

[@KingRatt]

McGraw

[@JERRYRIG432]

was his sidekick bubbalouie

[@rickn8or]

Same here. Now I gotta start over.

[@seanramirez488]

@@KingRatt You're correcting memories of a cartoon I barely watched 50 years ago. It doesn't matter.

[@KingRatt]

@@seanramirez488 just trying to get it right.

[@dandydenni1615]

Eric O in top form in this one! All his one liners had me laughing soda out my nose!!! Thanks Eric!!

[@SharpByCoop]

Each video is a short mystery novel. Riveting narration. I feel a bit smarter as a tech when I watch, and *sometimes* I feel a bit more stoopid. HA! Thank you, Eric!

[@automotivated5934]

Had a 2005 Chevy Cobalt with the enormous 2.2 Liter with a clogged CAT not long ago. They drove it so hard, it got sooo hot it caught the plastic rear bumper cover on fire!! It was a first for me!! The back pressure smoked the clutch somehow. Pry cuz the customer was abusing the poor girl. Haha. Anyways it needed a new cat, rear bumper cover and clutch. Then it ran like a top!! Thanks for the video my friend. I Always learn something from an SMA VIDYA!

[@KindCreature1]

I like that 'pedal to the plastic,' and 'dryer than a popcorn fart' too!! Mike in Oregon

[@discombobulated0]

Love your vids!!! I’m always left wondering what your customer decides to do or what the history was? Let us know or maybe a monthly recap of what happened to some of these fixes:). Stay safe!!

[@baccracker]

LOL, " Dryer than a popcorn fart"..... My father used to say that. Never heard it anywhere else!

[@oldbiker9739]

during the Fred Flintstone days when we had wooden wrenches we used a vacuum gauge to determine back pressure the 70 GM double wall exhaust pipes the inner wall would collapse .

[@terryharvey4811]

Been there, done that, and fixed it. We're telling our age....

[@61rampy65]

Wow, I haven't thought of that for 40 years!

[@terryharvey4811]

@@61rampy65 That comment gets you membership in the OLD FARTS club.

[@61rampy65]

@@terryharvey4811 Oh yeah. It took me 68 years to get here!

[@terryharvey4811]

@@61rampy65 I'm not the president or VP, but at 71, I am on the board of directors. Welcome to the club...

[@daniela.freeman8843]

You were on a "funny" roll... liked the innuendo's... Fun with Mr. O... Oh yeah, and informative too!

[@paulmonk7820]

When you stuck the zip tie into the brake booster to check foi fluid, a little light came on: use a pipe cleaner! They come in different lengths.

[@mejesse809]

Speaking of constipation, I just left the doc today for that, that's what the physician told me today, "u got a plug on down the line"...Mrs. "O" Beef enchirito was my favorite from Taco Smell

[@richardhaag3959]

No wires were harmed in the making of this video. Hi Mrs O 💗💗💗

[@markh.6687]

We saw what you did there Richard, sneaking in a greeting to Mrs. O. It is....acceptable.

[@TheJmich2001]

Hey thanks buddy!! We appreciate your time!!!

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Man, i’ve said it before but it bears repeating…I do not miss the northern rust from when I lived in NY.

[@HotRodDad]

That car has less than 100K and is that rusty?!?! Holy cow, I love the south. I have an ‘05 CRV that I fully plan on putting 500K on.

[@joeturnip4216]

That level of rust grosses me out. I crawled under my son's 78 Ford Pickup last week here in California and it was practically without rust. My condolences to you New Yorkers.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good video as always Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

[@squirrelkilla7371]

Love the dining sound when he says "sucky sucky"

[@fredshead3956]

Good diagnosis Eric F

[@bulldogsv2]

Just visited Geneseo with my daughter. Honked as I drove by to see if you said 'Hey, it's that guy!"

[@ralfkramden9291]

Nice to see your town has the Flag hanging everywhere.

[@CarlosRodriguez-hb3vq]

I had an ‘03 CR-V, burning oil with a bad cat. I think the CARB cat was going to be $2,500 installed. Sold it out of state to a student instead. It’’ll be “out to pasture” for a few years then off to the scrap yard.

[@tymikolas9215]

"In the shop, we have to obey the law. AND GRAVITY, THATS A LAW TOO"

[@AlexeiTetenov]

We have codes and statutes regulating behavior. Laws don't change, ergo the whims of politicians are not laws, no matter how much they complain. Gravity is something that does not change and is therfore a law.

[@cesargallo7424]

Brake fluid thieves are all over the place Mr O.! Also oil thieves, they make such a mess in the automovile world! :D

[@customcruzer]

Also possible the converter was just simply stolen a time or 2, pretty common on these, love the video, never seen nor have I even thought to hook a pressure gauge up to a o2 bung to check pressure!!!!

[@MarcHord-mk5ff]

I had that problem Monday! Son Tuesday it broke loose and I was new man!!

[@RoyaJoha]

I just love it when you say apparently.. always reminds me of the kid 😂😂 Great video as alway!

[@JVerschueren]

Immodium is for when you've got the runs.... don't take it unless you've had to make several bathroom trips, though. If you take it when all you've got is an upset tummy rather than something more serious, you won't poop for days.

[@brutekiller787]

Love the videos Eric, keep up the good work

[@hsubdarb]

I think I have watched most of your videos. I was blown away by the logic of plan c even of it wasn't true.

[@johnds6621]

thanks for the video I learn so much from you. I wish I lived closer to your shop I would bring my vehicles to you for service for sure.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

First mc hammer and then a Gerry Refferty reference. Top video today. :)

[@thomash1923]

Nice video. Not enough Mrs. O.

[@tremblingone4269]

You are too good to us Mr. O. !

[@monkeywentbananas]

I can't imagine working on those Northern cars with all of that flavor on the chassis and other components!

[@diablo7322000]

The comment section would also say you could resolder the broken wires😂 Also, pb blaster is your friend.✌

[@micfec1]

Eric O you have to get one of those fancy scan tools that Scotty K. has. It checks Cat. right from tool. Only thing is you have to wave arms while using it!!!

[@wiimaster2847]

Burning oil is a common issue on the K series, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it was.

[@moparmikesms2774]

Working on a CRV now in CA. Options for a new CAT, 2500.00 + Hondoo, 550.00 Walker, 150.00 Ebay (NOT! will not ship to CA - non CA, NY approved) 48 state fits in the spot and turns out the light - but does not have CA blessing.

[@johnboywaltonbeard4699]

Eric O’ … I think you r supposed to hold WOT and beat the Cadillac Convertor with a 2x4!! LOL

[@steveoktay]

I'm sick of those brake fluid thieves.

[@15743_Hertz]

PRNY, LOL! It's funny because it's true. Had a friend with a blown head gasket. Guess what happened to the cat on that one...

[@TheEricsnet1]

Imodium AD is anti diarrhea medication, what you were thinking is Exlax 😂🤣 thanks for the humor!

[@brianp5579]

Eric must have given Mrs O plan B this mourning.

[@glynwatkins9968]

good job as always @Mr O very educational

[@RideCamVids]

Eric you missed one, did one of the previous converters get replaced because it was stolen,,,, now that's a VERY common thing ain't it.

[@gerardlarchick771]

Happy Birthday Eric ! ! !

[@johnasosajr]

Finally a video from mr oberchucka

[@Black3ternity]

I can just imagine Eric calling up the local authorities and asking for a brake fluid thief just for the sake of being true to his word on the video :-D

[@mrdfoutz]

I didn't really care about the CRV, but watched because it's SMA! Mad skills as usual. I wish we could pack up our vehicles and ship em to ya for service! You really make me miss the DIY days. However, you can do it cause you have the garage and all the cool toys, err, tools. I can't cause I have a gravel driveway (on a downhill grade), three old Stack-On tool boxes with a 40 year hand tool collection, and my lift weighs about 100 lbs., lives in the basement, and I'm too dang old to be luggin that sum-beam up and down the steps! 😩

[@JackGiralico]

For your information, the Raiders is my favorite youth football team.

[@rottmanthan]

i figured the cat is what you were getting at.

[@bizbot1655]

The Raiders are a basketball team from San diego Ca.

[@kellyvanorman861]

RAIDERS don't know what baseball team that is lol

[@markh.6687]

Baseball?? He's mistaken, that's a hockey team.

[@misterhat5823]

That's an amazing amount of rust for 90k. I have nearly twice that on my daily driver that's pushing 30 years and it looks mint compared to that.

[@jasonyoung5628]

I worked on an Avalanche a couple of weeks ago with 99,000 and change, you could put your fingers through the frame it was so rusted out. It had new rocker panels over rust. Guy had just bought it too, probably overpaid.

[@keithcurtis6671]

They must use an absolutely obscene amount of salt on the roads where Eric is. I live in PA and they salt the hell out of the roads here every time it snows as well as liquid "Brine" before it snows. Last year I had to replace my 10 year old Ford Escape with 160k on it due to an unfortunate encounter with a deer. There was no rust or corrosion under the vehicle despite the 10 winters it went through here. I did, however, go through a car wash with the "undercarriage wash" every 2 weeks in the winter, not sure if that was the key as I highly doubt ford used better metal / coatings / paint than Honda.

[@jasonyoung5628]

@@keithcurtis6671 that's amazing, here in Nebraska every escape rusts out at the rear subframe. My theory is that automakers figured out how to make a drivetrain last for damn near a half million miles, but then also realized that nobody would ever buy a new vehicle ever again. So they just made the metal shittier so it rusts out and forces replacement or the car.

[@mikemaifeld6280]

Eric Can do it, I Can't . No Fancy Shmancy tools! and no brain to use them. Just jerking your wrench. Love SMA!

[@elcomandante9299]

I hear many mechanics state Hondas don't break down.

[@andrewl9472]

“Drier than a popcorn fart” got a good chuckle out of me

[@victorbaird8220]

Possible follow up video with the customers reponse

[@johnkaehler4237]

Well you did have a code for a random misfire and the engine light did pop on. So maybe it is not efficient and clogging the cat. Would be interesting to know the outcome instead of just the diagnosis.

[@Ali-iq4bb]

Option #2 is not an option. Brake fluid does not disappear. It’s a tell tell sign of brake pad wear. Once you replace brake pads, push caliper pistons back in, outside of the wear the calipers took, you should have close to full of brake fluid. As rotors wear, your fluid drops, but not by much.

[@zacharycarney]

Missed you guys

[@paulbennett9002]

Hey Eric you mentioned gander and moose hunting were you here in newfoundland hunting

[@mikecont9742]

Great diagnostic video...

[@erich6860]

So bad, all the corrosion. We really need to figure out how to stop that.

[@shahsmerdis]

Hmm I wonder if there is a emissions combustion tester to see if the cat is being fed something it shouldn't.

[@1PaJoe]

Shouldn't the sensor taken out at first have been put back in before checking the pressure at the second location - ?

[@IBenZik]

Great place to put the parking brake lever but probably a nightmare to fix a broken cable.

[@cliffords.8341]

I would imagine the exhaust flow out the end is significantly low which can be determined by putting your hand over the exhaust pipe exit. Not related, but I have a 1997 GMC Sonoma with the Vortec V6 with a K&N air filter with just over 237,000 miles on it. Every so often I have to clean the MAFS and the throttle body and butterfly because of the oil from the air filter getting sucked into the intake. When the engine is cold it idles about 100 rpms higher but not affected much when it's at operating temperature. I wonder if cutting open the converter, you'll be able to tell why it's clogged whether from oil or just collapsed from age.

[@K.Kelly87]

The oil in those filters is why I cannot use one. I have a VW. Their MAFs are so touchy and expensive. The K&N oil coats, then burns them out super fast. I had one on my 1979 Olds.. Made it a bit stronger, and made it so you could HEAR it suck up all your gas into the 4 barrel carb.

[@Steve0885]

Quote of the day... "It's dryer than a popcorn fart!"

[@crownhic6827]

I don’t know what baseball team that is. 🤣

[@danlearned6199]

Deja vu!!! Back in the 'olden' days, mid/late 70's of the Honda CVCC engines, Honda did not use catalytic converters when everyone else was transitioning to them. Instead, inside the large 2 pc cast/welded cast iron exhaust manifold was a welded in place stainless steel plate. Any experienced welder will tell you SS and cast iron is NOT the best weldment. The concept was the engine exhaust would heat up the SS plate close to cherry hot and any unburnt fuel downstream of the engine would be vaporized, and burnt within the manifold. Novel idea but in time the weld would fail, the SS plate drop and clog the manifold. Symptom...little/no power, reluctance to rev and occasionally engine overheating. We did a huge number of warranty replacements. First clue of clogged manifold...that same dull roar at the beginning of your road test. Seems 80's/90's/early 2000's era Hondas have a problem with failed converters, fairly common.

[@georgegonzalez2476]

Yep, there were other cars with similar kludges and some BMW's with separate hot boxes. The heat would burn up the pollution but also cook all the engine wires and hoses. Bad times.

[@tombeilman5579]

A lot of rust for 90 some thousand miles,thought you would break out the panther piss for the o2 sensors

[@brucecoleman7412]

A misfire can dump raw fuel into the cat causing the insides to melt and become plugged. Oh some cars (I think Honda included) the traction control is turned off If the engine misfires. That can turn on the ABS and Traction lights. Every cat I’ve replaced has been the result of another problem, never the cause. It’s not impossible , but my experience asks “what killed it?”

[@IamDerick]

Thanks, I now know I have most everything I need minus O2 adapter to do one of these. Cheers.

[@notajp]

Make one out of an old spark plug….

[@rayman5202]

Quick and easy.... I like

[@billgroel4463]

Cool 😎 thank you for sharing

[@donaldpainter956]

So I unhooked the exhaust so I could see if it made a difference then I found coolant in the cat the head gasket was leaking but it showed no signs of that

[@chavisiegel9242]

its pretty awesome you were so confindent the issue was the cat that you drilled a hole in it. say you werent so confident, how would you check the pressure? also, ive never seen that thread cleaner before. looks neat!

[@WilliamTMusil]

Hiya Eric

[@jamesbruno5896]

Easy Peasy! Thanks Mr. O!

[@alexanderstefanxandraswedi5835]

Great

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Upsw in NJ offers an affordable complete exhaust for Honda’s