check engine light means...??

the check engine light in my civic came on when i was driving on the highway at around 70mph. what could be wong? my car is at 141,000miles.. the oil has been changed and doesnt leak.. coolant is ok. radiator is new..

it lights up and stays on when i drive a couple of miles. what could be wrong? could it be the oxygen sensor or something? how would i be able to fix it?

Originally posted by bionictony
the check engine light in my civic came on when i was driving on the highway at around 70mph. what could be wong? my car is at 141,000miles.. the oil has been changed and doesnt leak.. coolant is ok. radiator is new..

it lights up and stays on when i drive a couple of miles. what could be wrong? could it be the oxygen sensor or something? how would i be able to fix it?

When your check engine light comes on, your ECU will throw a trouble code... to find out what code it is, you have to pull back the carpet on the passenger side foot-well where the ECU is mounted. Then, you put the key in the ignition and turn it to the 2nd position (don't start the engine), and there's an LED mounted on the ECU that will blink. Count how many times the LED blinks and that is the code:

Code 1 (1 flash) Oxygen content

Code 3 or 5 Manifold absolute pressure

Code 4 (4 flashes) Crank angle sensor

Code 6 (6 flashes) Coolant temperature

Code 7 (7 flashes) Throttle angle

Code 8 (8 flashes) TDC position (top dead center) timing

Code 9 (9 flashes) No. 1 cylinder position (1.6L)

Code 10 (10 flashes) Intake air temperature

Code 12(12 flashes) No code 11 don't know why. Exhaust gas recirculation system

Code 13 (13 flashes) Atmospheric pressure

Code 14 (14 flashes) Electronic air control (EACV)

Code 15 (15 flashes) Ignition output signal

Code 16 (16 flashes) Fuel injector

Code 17 (17flashes) Vehicle speed sensor

Code 19 (19 flashes) No code 18 for some reason Lock up control solenoid valve

Code 20 (20 flashes) Electric Load

THANKS A LOT ci5ic. i got 12 blinks... exhaust gas recirculation system? what does that mean?

be sure to count the blinks more than once. it's possible to have more than 1 error code. also...don't count the first flash. it gives 1 flash just to let you know the ecu is working. here is the info that is posted at www.4thGenerationCivic.com

"With the ignition on the ECU will display a single flashing light indicating the system is operating. When the ecu sets a trouble code,the check engine light will come on and the ecu stores the code in the memory. The trouble code will remain in the memory until voltage to the ecu is disconnected. Removing the hazard fuse in the main fuse panel for 10 seconds will reset all trouble codes. Reset the memory after repairs are made. Make sure the ignition is OFF when disconnecting the main fuse. "

i have owned many (lol, to say the least) 4th gens. this is my experience with error codes. every now and again, you just get them. if the car has been running fine then reset the ecu and see if you get another code. if not and the car is fine then just :dunno: and don't sweat it. i got a Code 13 (Atmospheric pressure) one day :confused: reset the ecu and have never got that code again in 2-3 yrs.

have you noticed any other symptoms with your car?

sounds like an o2 sensor. Honda wants 170 for one at my cost.

Originally posted by turbcivic
sounds like an o2 sensor. Honda wants 170 for one at my cost.

fuck that you can get em for like $50 places around here.

the check engine light means you have to slam on the brakes, pop the hood, and hurry up and get out and check sure the engine is still there

:lol: :lol: :lol:

haha.. funny.. but yeah.. there are like no other problems with the civic.. it drives perfectly even though the check engine light is on. everything seems normal. the temp gauge doesnt rise higher than normal. thanks for the reset advice.

Actually, I was driving home from Idaho on Thursday, and my check engine light came on, so I pulled over, turned the car off, and when I turned it back on, the check-engine light didn't come back on, and the ECU didn't throw any codes... weird... I suppose that if it was a real problem, the light would've stayed on or the ECU would've gave me a code or something... :dunno:

Originally posted by bionictony
there are like no other problems with the civic.. it drives perfectly even though the check engine light is on. everything seems normal.
okay then, reset the ecu and see if the check engine light comes back on :bigthumb:

you say the car runs fine so i doubt it will come back on