1997 Honda Prelude Service and Repair Manual

This service and repair manual for the 1997 Honda Prelude is built around the exact year, engine and trim of your car, so the specifications and torque sequences it gives are what Honda originally published for a Prelude carrying the 2.2L L4 (H22A4) under the hood, not a generic approximation borrowed from another model year.

Engines covered

• 2.2L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 2-door coupe

Trims covered

• Base
• Type SH

Known issues on the 1997 Prelude. Five recalls are on federal record for this model year. Two cover aftermarket replacement combination lamps sold for use on the Prelude that lack amber side reflectors, leaving the vehicle poorly illuminated to other drivers and raising crash risk. Two more cover the ignition switch: electrical contacts can degrade under the high current the switch carries when the car is started, and worn contacts can cause the engine to stall without warning; separately, the switch's interlock can let the key be removed without the transmission actually being shifted to Park, allowing the vehicle to roll if the parking brake isn't set. The fifth covers the front lower control arm ball joints, which can wear out prematurely and, in the worst case, separate, causing the front suspension to collapse along with sudden deceleration and reduced steering control. Owners have filed 74 complaints for the year. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are here.

Whether you're chasing a stalling ignition switch, inspecting the front lower ball joints for wear, or verifying exterior lighting on a Prelude fitted with replacement lamps, it keeps you on Honda's OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 1997 Prelude.