Engine Light? Won't go away

Have a 96 civic and the engine light is on for most of the time, sometimes it goes away, but for the most it is always on. Is there a way to check hard codes. With my jeep you turn the ignition three times witout starting and it will give problem codes, just wondering if ther is anyhting like that for honda, new to the honda world. If anyone has experienced this any info would be helpful.

Yeah, you need a paperclip for the jump. Unbend the paper clip and open the passanger side kick plate to reveal the ecu. Have the ignition in the on position and put the paper clip in the green service connector on each side. codes will blink, but once youre done the light should go out. Its hard to explain exactly what your jumping, if anyone had a pic it would help.