My girlfriend has a Honda fit that has consistently given her problems. She keeps it well maintained (as far as standard maintenance like oil changes). It has about 150k miles. What's really troubling is that we were planning to drive across the country with this vehicle to relocate for a job I just got, but now we're getting issues.

Right now, the check engine light is on and giving a P0506 (Idle Air Control System RPM Lower than Expected) code. Additionally, the idle is very rough, with some shaking of the car. Having been in cars that stalled out, it feels like it's on the brink of stalling, although it hasn't reached that point. Additionally, the gas is insanely touchy - It is almost impossible to smoothly accelerate from an idle position. Acceleration only happens after I step on the gas pretty heavily and then it lightly jerks into motion. This makes sense, given the code that's being thrown.

The most alarming thing is that there is a very light scraping noise coming from the engine. It sounds as if someone were to drag like a chain over some plastic or something like that. We discovered it last night, and it stopped in the morning. Given that there is no timing belt, I'm at a loss for what the issue could be, unless the timing chain was bad (conventionally, this shouldn't be the issue). If it isn't the issue, I'm at a loss as I'm not a seasoned mechanic.

I have seen other members point to standard 2015 fit injector issues as a possible culprit in other threads. Do these issues fall in line with that type of diagnosis? If not, what do you all think it does point to?

Lastly, this forum seems to suggest that 2015's are generally riddled with issues. Would you all recommend dumping this car in favor of a different year/model after we move across the country? If getting a different model with less issues is going to be less costly in the long run, then maybe it's better that way.

 

One update: We took it in to be diagnosed and apparently the noise is coming from a bad catalytic converter, and the rough idle is from a really dirty throttle body. Is it normal for a throttle body to get that dirty?
The cleaning should be finished today so I'll post again with the results from that.

 

I bet the dealer will charge a fortune for a catalytic converter. Ask around for a good local mechanic. "The average cost for a Honda Fit Catalytic Converter Replacement is between $1,410 and $1,439."

honda fit 2015 catalytic - Google Search

 

im experiencing similar issues — what did you do to resolve the issue? Did you replace the cat or just clean out the throttle body?? Thanks

 

The throttle body is very easy to clean with the right spray cleaner. There's also the mass air flow sensor which can be affected by dirt and is easy to clean but you must use something like CRC Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner and follow instructions carefully. These may not solve your problem but will at least take them off the list..

 

Thanks for the advice…much appreciated

 

And you must buy the Honda sensor for close to $300. I bought one from AutoZone, and the car knew it wasn't from Honda - no good. Although the sensor had a warranty, AutoZone wouldn't take it back because it had been used. I guess the warranty meant I could be sure the part was in the box.