Check engine light

The check engine light came on in my car tonight. The car runs and behaves completely normal, however. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to read the computer code and maybe i could post the code on here and someone with a tech manual could look it up for me and tell me what the problem is. This maybe be a stupid question--maybe the only way to read the code is to take it to a dealer or a shop--but i remember on my old 89 caprice i could take a paper clip and touch two ends of it to the computer terminal and count the sequence and the number of times the check engine light flashes which told me the code. Then i looked it up in the book and figured out what the problem was. I am hoping there is a way to do this on my accord so i dont have to take it to a shop. I am afraid that since i have a Cold air intake installed, the dealer will void some of my warranties on the car. Any help is appreciated. Maybe its a dumb question, but i thought that it was worth an ask. Thanks in advance.

anyone?

When you first start your car, does the light blink any certain amount of times before it just stays on?

It doesnt flash, it just comes on and stays on. i think you might be thinking of the maintenance light. because that light flashes when you reach a certain ammount of miles since the shop (or you) last reset it, and then just stays on when you exceed another ammount of miles. this is the engine light that is on.

Usually you would have use a jumper on a connector near your ecu. On your model I am uncertain where this is. But once you have installed the jumper, your check engine light becomes a code blinking circuit that will allow you to determine where your problem is. Long blinks usually stand for the first digit in the code and shorter blinks the second. If there are multiple codes there will be a pause between codes to separate them. Codes are sent from lowest to highest number (1,2...10,..40) and so on.

Once you have installed the jumper all you will need to do to start reading the codes is turn your ignition on without turning your engine over. Hope this much helped.:)

I'll also try looking for the website that has the codes readouts for your particular car.
Good luck!!

try and find an independent import shop. a lot of times they will run the codes for free if they aren't extremely busy. This happened to me once. only mine didn't stay on. My starter made a wicked noise and gave me the check engine light. it is 20 miles to the nearest shop from my house...i got there, shut the car off. Once i started it again the lightwas off and there weren't any codes in the computer

I'm quite sure there is a jumper to read the service code just like in your Cutlass - I just don't know precisely where it is in your car... Try posting in the Accord section.

Good luck! :cool:

Originally posted by JasonAccord98LX
The check engine light came on in my car tonight. The car runs and behaves completely normal, however. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to read the computer code and maybe i could post the code on here and someone with a tech manual could look it up for me and tell me what the problem is. This maybe be a stupid question--maybe the only way to read the code is to take it to a dealer or a shop--but i remember on my old 89 caprice i could take a paper clip and touch two ends of it to the computer terminal and count the sequence and the number of times the check engine light flashes which told me the code. Then i looked it up in the book and figured out what the problem was. I am hoping there is a way to do this on my accord so i dont have to take it to a shop. I am afraid that since i have a Cold air intake installed, the dealer will void some of my warranties on the car. Any help is appreciated. Maybe its a dumb question, but i thought that it was worth an ask. Thanks in advance.

I am guessing that your problem is from the intake you put on it. You engine is getting all this extra air and it is creating problems. A mechanic told me that adding aftermarket parts can do that, especially with newer model cars.

the newer accords have the terminal located in the center console around the radio somewhere

Originally posted by dominate9


I am guessing that your problem is from the intake you put on it. You engine is getting all this extra air and it is creating problems. A mechanic told me that adding aftermarket parts can do that, especially with newer model cars.

No, its not the intake because I have had that on my car for 6 months with no problems whatsoever.

On my 90 LX, after I installed the adjustable fuel pressure regulator I ran into some problem with the idle speed. The EACV or Electronic Air Control Valve was get stuck. This didn't prompt a Check Engine light but after running codes it was indicated. It turned out to be a simple fix. Expensive if you choose to buy a new one. I went to the junk yard, and even though this may not be recommended by most, it did prove to be the final answer to my problem. Once you run the code you will be better able to determine what wrong and which direction you need to take.

the CAI is NOT going to cause your check engine light to come on unless you made a serious mistake in the installation....however...have you made any other recent upgrades or installations other than the CAI???

No I havent made any other installations. I am pretty sure that it is the oxygen sensor because my gas mileage has decreased. Usually when the light is on it means a problem with any of the emmisions systems. I'm either going to jump the computer, or remove the intake and take it to the shop--since its under warranty the repairs will be free.

Believe it or not I heard that oxygen sensors don't really fail that often. Once you get your coding info then make a decision on what to do. Your aftermarket intake may not be the culprit. Gas mileage can go down if you have changed your oil and filter regularly.

How has your car been idling?