DIY Repairs: Common Issues and Solutions for Honda Jazz Owners

The Honda Jazz, which is also known as the Honda Fit in some markets, is a small hatchback known for its excellent fuel-economy and reliability. But like every other vehicle it is not immune to repairs. It will break down someday, if not properly maintained, in which case you’ll be left with no other option but to call a mechanic or perform DIY repairs.

As car wreckers, we are fans of the latter, since mechanics are extremely expensive in NZ. So, any repair you can do at home is worth doing, since you can save a lot of money. Having said that, it is worth knowing which issues commonly appear in the Honda Jazz, so you can prepare for them beforehand.

Here are the most common issues a Honda Fit/ Honda Jazz owner is likely to encounter:

Misfiring Engine

An engine can misfire due to several reasons:

• faulty fuel injectors
• faulty sensors
• low-quality fuel
• choked fuel filter

But the common culprit in most cases is a faulty spark plug. This small but highly necessary component performs the important task of igniting the fuel that is present in the combustion chamber. When one or all of the spark plugs malfunction, the fuel present inside the chamber doesn’t ignite, resulting in a misfire.

In other words, a misfire happens whenever the fuel inside the engine doesn’t ignite or does so improperly.

Easy Fix:

The easiest way to fix a misfire is by ruling out the causes one by one.

1.) If it starts happening all of a sudden, check whether the fuel you put in your car wasn’t of a low-quality. You can get the fuel tested by a lab that deals in lubricants.

2.) After that move on to the fuel filter and check it for blockage. It is situated in the fuel tank, so you might have to remove the entire tank, and open it to have access to the fuel filter.

3.) If the issue persists, remove the engine cover and screw out the spark plugs one by one. If they are dark brown or black on the tip, they need to be replaced.

4.) But, if after replacing the plugs you still have the issue, the injectors need to be inspected. Unfortunately, that is something you can’t do at home, so go visit a mechanic.

Transmission Issues

If the gears on your Honda Fit are not shifting properly i.e. you can feel a jerk every time the gears shift, there is a problem with the transmission. Unfortunately, gearboxes are too complex to be repaired at home, so you probably have to visit a mechanic if your Honda Jazz has his issue.

Easy Fix:

The only thing you can do for transmissions at home is check the gearbox fluid and prevent it from going into a bad state. Some people forget changing the fluid regularly.

• Therefore, open up your engine bay and look near the radiator for a dipstick (not the one for the engine oil). This would be the one for your transmission fluid.
• You must ensure this fluid doesn’t turn brown or blackish.

Electrical Problems

Normally, it is not recommended to handle electrical problems in a car, especially if you are not knowledgeable on the subject. But if your Honda Fit develops any electrical faults like a faulty battery, short-circuit due to old tangled wires, or blown fuse, you have to do something.

Luckily, Honda Fits are not famous for such electrical faults. So, you don’t have to worry about much.

Easy Fix:

Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of handling electrical faults, so you’ll need a professional to do the work for you. But, if a fuse is blown, you can put on your DIY hat and do something about it.

• There are two fuse boxes, one inside the cabin and the other under the bonnet.
• If a light, a sensor, the infotainment system or any other thing that uses electricity in your Honda Fit stops working, you can check the relevant fuse for it by looking at the fuse box diagram.
• Each box has a diagram which shows the position and use of each fuse. When you find the one for the relevant fault, pull it out and place another one with the exact specifications back in its place. This should solve your woes.

Suspension and Steering Issues

Rough driving or traversing through challenging terrain can take a toll on your Honda Jazz’s suspension and steering rack. If you can hear sounds coming from the suspension, that weren’t present before and if your car isn’t smoothly going over bumps like it did before, there is an issue. In the case of the steering wheel, if your steering input is lagging, then there is something wrong with it.

Easy Solution:

There is nothing major you can do for the suspension and steering rack at home. You have to get them checked by a professional. But you can avoid getting your suspension and steering rack in a bad state

• By driving carefully. Whenever you see bumps or potholes on the road, slow down or try to avoid them completely.
• By not taking your Honda Fit through rough terrain, as it can also adversely affect the health of your car’s suspension.

Brake Problems

Your car’s brakes are the only thing stopping you from getting into an accident. In short, they are extremely important and they must be kept in tip-top condition at all times. In the Honda Fit, brake problems are quite common, especially when the pads are nearing the end of their life. When that happens, you must ensure to recalibrate your brakes and change the pads.

Easy Solution:

When your Honda Jazz’s brakes go bad, you have to take extra precautions:

• Try to brake earlier
• Keep a safe distance from the car in front
• Buy brake pads that are more heat-resistant
• Never drive your car if your brake pads are completely worn