Malfunction Indicator Lamp

[CivicHX]

I recently got a 96 Civic HX.... oh about 4 or 5 months ago, yesterday the MIL blinked on. Now I have felt no difference or anything the the car's proformance. The most I know is what I read for the user manual that "If it comes on at any other time (when you start the car, of course), it indicates that one of the engine's emissions control systems may have a problem."

So I two choices, I can either bring it to a dealer tomarrow potentially pay $100 do to some tests when there may not be a problem. Or I can try can figure it out myself. If anyone has any info on this subject please respond.

[Adament89]

Buy a chiltons book. It'll tell you how to, using a paperclip, put it into a clip by the ECU (underneath the glove box) and read the engine codes by the flashes of the engine light, it blinks fast and slow, and you add the blinks of fast and the blinks of slow together to get the code. It'll tell you more specifically there. It sounds like its your o2 sensors, and my own recommendations, don't get bosch o2 sensors, if thats the problem. I think anything else emissions-wise you'd probably notice. If you notice shitty gas mileage, then that again may be your o2 sensors.

Anyway, do this, find out the engine code, so you save yourself the hundred bucks diagnostic crap. You can probably look up the process on google. I haven't done it in a while, so i don't remember the specifics. Now i just reset it because i know its my (shitty bosch) o2 sensors screwing around, and my hcs are good enough to pass emissions, so thats all i care about.

[97civichx]

I have a civic hx too and from my understanding a lot of the time when the warnign light comes on its something for emissions because the hx models have much more emission standards and such. if the o2 sensors arent bad then it could be your catalitic (spelling?) converter that isnt cleaning up the exhaust enough. the cat is built into the exhaust manifold and there should be a sensor on there right in the front of it. i'm not a real expert on the subject, just what i've learned/heard from others. get the chilton or other manual liek that guy said. theres a few good ones out there.

[krazibimmer]

on 96 and newer car, there is a obd2 connector under the dash not far from the steering wheel to get the code. you'll need a scanner to get the code from the computer. go to your local auto zone and have them get the code for you for free. i don't think you can get the code by jumping terminal on the computer. i think that only work on older honda before the obd2 system is mandatory on every car that 96 and newer.