5530 messages,
Last post on Mar 31, 2011 at 10:21 AM
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Honda Accord Forum.
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Honda Accord, Sedan
#5431 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [st1300]
by thegraduate
Dec 03, 2008 (8:55 am)
Wow, I've heard so much about this that it is good to finally see the severity that you're talking about.
I'll be really honest here... that doesn't strike me as much of an issue. I can't recall driving a vehicle (except a family friend's Silverado 2500 Duramax Diesel) that didn't do that, including both my 1996 Accord and 2006 Accord, as well as my grandmother's 2002 Accord which I drive regularly (at least once a week). They have all done this, and continue to do so. No problems because of it (after a combined 320,000 miles on those three cars).
It's sort of the same thing a house does when the A/C kicks on. Not a drastic flickering.
#5432 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [thegraduate]
by st1300
Dec 03, 2008 (8:59 am)
you may be right about the house lights but if they flickered every 17 seconds you would have an electrician at your house instantly. Would you watch a tv that flickered every 17 seconds?..suppose the tv manufactuer told you that was a "normal characteristic" would you accept that...probably not. And lets remember that the only car in the honda line that does this is the 2008 and now 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder.
#5433 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [st1300]
by thegraduate
Dec 03, 2008 (9:02 am)
Well, if I sit in my driveway and do the same thing, my lights will flicker with every "kick-on" of the A/C, just like yours. Running the car at idle, yet putting a big load on the alternator with A/C and headlights doesn't make the alternator very happy.
#5434 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [thegraduate]
by st1300
Dec 03, 2008 (9:12 am)
Your correct but this car will do it at 70 mph also...which is why its a dangerous car on the road...suppose a tractor trailer has just passed you and as he looks in the mirror to return to the lane ..the lights flicker...does he take that as the universal sign that its clear to come back into the lane?
Does this now become a safety issue?...if someone is following you on a dark road at night and the tail lights flicker does the other driver think you are "brake checking" him?
And last but not least why doesn't the 6 cylinder accord do it?..its a built in design defect.
#5435 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [st1300]
by thegraduate
Dec 03, 2008 (10:11 am)
Yes, mine do it (I can notice it if there are few vehicles around) on the highway as well. Comparing yours in the driveway to mine in the driveway makes me think our vehicles are similar. After all of these miles, I've never had anyone think I was flashing my lights at them.
The 6-cylinder Accord probably has a different alternator.
#5436 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [st1300]
by dpmeersman
Dec 03, 2008 (3:06 pm)
While the video shows the problem that your dealing with I would tend to think that it can't show the full extent of the problem as most digital imaging, be it still or video, will adjust exposure as the light source changes. If previous four cyl cars I've owned did this it was never to the extent that it bothered me, if they did it at all. And your right my 6 cyl has no problem, at idle or cruising. Good luck with getting "We Can Do No Wrong" Honda to resolve this matter for you.
#5437 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [st1300]
by elroy5
Dec 03, 2008 (4:14 pm)
Would you watch a tv that flickered every 17 seconds?
It's not a TV. This doesn't look like a major problem. The lights on my truck are worse than that. They strobe with the engine. If someone is brake checking you, the lights would get brighter, not dimmer. If Honda were to take the car back, what would you buy? You could end up with a car that has more/major problems that are more serious than flickering lights.
#5438 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [elroy5]
by bvdj84
Dec 04, 2008 (9:13 pm)
This happened on my 2006 Accord SE 4cyl!! Did the exact same thing. I am wondering what all the talk is about, it doesn't seem like it has changed from my 2006 at all. Did the same thing, making the same sound click. Did this all the time. But was never anything to make me think it was a bad thing. I am little frustrated that it has come to this level....lol.
My car did the same thing, it always did it. but I never even thought anything of it, until people starting discussing it here. This totally seems normal to me. Honestly, thought nothing until people here starting talking about, maybe it is worse on the 2008's. Not sure. but not sure of the video either. Honda Accord's have been doing this since way back, years. The clip video seemed like a normal Honda Accord. I could see why others might really make an issue of it, so why Honda has not actually just fixed it, tweaked it, after all this time, I am not sure. But, this is normal, or typical of an Accord 4cyl.
I am sure the actual engine guts have not changed that much when put in the 08. Just tweaked. I wouldn't think there is much more electronics to run than before to cause this supposed problem for the 08.
Again, it was on my 06, even when I drove it home for the first time, never noticed it. Be glad you have a Honda right now. But, I can understand you wanting it fixed.
since the bar is so high for Honda. Normal to me though. The sound of a typical Honda engine.
I would still buy the Honda Accord today! I'll trade ya!
#5439 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [thegraduate]
by st1300
Dec 11, 2008 (6:23 pm)
If you check a couple other forums concerning this problem you will find that a forum user named KATANA PILOT has posted a copy of a certified check from honda for 28304 dollars for the repurchase of his 2008 honda with flickering headlights. My car will going to the same board in Georgia sometime in January and I fully expect to have the same results.
For all you people on these forums that tell us that we dont have a problem maybe this will change your mind. If you do have the problem and it annoys you ffile for arbitration and go after honda. If enough cars are bought back honda will eventually find a FIX for the headlight problem.
This can be done and KP proved it....congratulations KP its been a long time coming. I absolutely salute your tenacity in this issue.
#5440 of 5530 Re: 2009 honda accord 4 cylinder [st1300]
by bvdj84
Dec 12, 2008 (6:51 am)
We acknowledge that the issue is taking place on the 08 Accord. But, stating that this is nothing out of the norm for the 4cyl model. Perhaps, a bit worse on the 08.
You would have thought Honda would fix the issue, considering it has been going on for years. It has to be a simple fix. Since, they take the perfection approach to their cars, you would think an employee driving the car would notice and get it on high priority.
I am glad the issue is slowly be acknowledged/fixed by Honda. If they want to keep their reputation up, they'll fix it. I can understand why you all are upset by the issue.
But, remember, compared to other cars with much, much worse problems than this, this problem looks better if you were to get an issue.