Price estimate/How to fix up '98 Honda Civic? Doors, windows, A/C?

Question

We have this family '98 Honda Civic-manual that I mostly drive (I'm a senior in HS) and although it runs fine and gets great mileage, it's got some minor annoying problems that my dad has been too cheap to fix-he just lived with them when he had it, but I'd like my car to not be quite so much of a junker.

So I'd like to know how to fix them or how to find out (if a novice could do it), and/or a rough estimate of how much each problem would cost to fix at a repair shop.

-2 back doors don't work (one can be opened from inside only)

-1 back window doesn't work (power)

-A/C makes rattling noise when turned up to high settings. Right now we have a jack to hold it and stop it from vibrating. It works fine without noise but it's just a little ghetto ;-)

thanks. partial answers are helpful too.

Answer 1

Buy a Honda Civic service manual (particularly the green thick one from Honda) if you don't already have one.  This will help you find the screws and various points to help you remove the side paneling on your door (as well as other troubleshooting guides).

You'll need to inspect your door linkage from the inside of the door.  Once the panel has been removed and the door switch wire harnesses have been disconnected, you may have to rip or move aside the plastic protection covering to inspect your door linkage.

If you're unfamiliar with how the door linkages work, you can open the door panel from the front doors to compare the functionality.  Fix any loose parts or disconnected rods.

For the back window problem, you may need to buy a new window regulator/motor.  You can buy affordable ones from ebay.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would rate all of these problems above novice...i would shop around and see what some reputable shops tell you...the doors could have broken linkages or lock cylinders or latch mechanisms...the window could have a simple problem like a bad switch or something more difficult like wiring or a broken regulator or motor...finally it sounds like the a/c compressor needs to be replaced and that requires special equipment tools and knowledge...Good Luck

Answer 3

back doors. take off panels and check motors for door locks or linkage of they are manual locks. disconnected hardware probably. if they are electric then check all fuses under dash and engine bay. Power window check motor voltage and check fuse under dash board. ac the clutch ( where the belt goes) might be going out. you can buy kits to fix the a/c clutches or just get new compressor. hope this helps.