Check Engine Light Came On When....

[jbettens]

My check engine light came on when....

Here are the my car details:
1999 Honda Civic Ex - Stock

Here are the details prior to the light comming on:
- The car sat in my garage(not heated) for 1 week in -20C weather. Prior to this no problems with the car ever.
- My wife went to start the car and it would not start. It turn over but would not start. She tells me should pressed the gas pedal. How many times I dont know. She used drive a 85 Honda which required the pedal to be pumped so my guess is she flooded it.
- I came home 5 hours later, put the pedal to the rug, turned the car over and it started. There was a strong odor of gas. I let the car run four 20 minutes before turning off.
- I restarted the car with no problem and it is then I noticed the light was on.

The manual says there is a problem with one of the emission controls systems or a problem with the fuel cap and that the cap should be checked. The manual also says to drive the car moderately three times and if the light remains on to have it checked out by a dealer. However I am convinced that the light coming on had something today with todays events and perhaps it did not start because of the cold weather and the fact it sat for so long in the cold weather.

Any comments on this problem? Will it go away? What do you think happened? What can I do or what else should I be doing? The car is reguarly maintained is usually plugged in during the cold weather (except this one time).

[turbcivic]

goto to autozone and get the code scanned for free. Not much i can say untill i know what the code is. It could be a misfire code.

[wheel1856]

I might agree with your conjecture of the cold plus a flood. mine has been known to come on when on a steep incline - parking garage - and after a run through some high water. those types of things can goof with the O2 sensor. sooooo.... the pedal pumping, which I don't think will flood it, but if it did, too lean, it'll go away.

reeeeaaalllyyy cold then starting funny, probably some condensation in a place it shouldn't be, run it for a while, let it heat up nice n good, shut it off, restart, should be off.

all else fails, yep, autozone.

[jbettens]

I am in Canada so unfortunately we do not have an autozone here. I have been driving the car for the last two days and the light has not gone out. The car starts fine though now. I agree that it was likely condensation that started the whole episode with not starting in the first place.

Called my dealer and they will take a look at it for $70 CDN ($50 US). I just hate dishing out money especially if there was something I could do. I priced out a code reader and they are $250 here. It is getting down to -40C for the next few days so i might as well take in and have them clear the code instead of me freezing my arse off.

Thanks for the reply's!

[wheel1856]

my advice....move. -40 are you out of your head? Unless your only knowledge of how to support yourself involves polar bears, penguins, or various other arctic species, get the hell south! oy!

Isn't there some sort of local autostore that can help, I have an inherit fear and loathing of dealerships myself, I would thiink that there is some cost effective way to find out/fix the problem

[superbluecivicsi]

pull the code yourself.
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=682412

your plug will be green, not grey like the one on honda-tech.

[jbettens]

Does the CEL automaitcally mean something requires repairing or does it just indicate there was a problem (a wet sensor? cause it was flooded) and the ECU needs resetting? If so, how do you do so. Been driving it for days now and no problems except for that bright light!

I am have an appointment for tuesday and would like to know as much as possible so that I know a little more when talking to the dealer.

And Wheel1856.....I support myself quite well for not seeing or knowing a thing about polar bears, penguins, and artic species. This is big misconception. A funny one though....

Thanks for the help everyone.

[superbluecivicsi]

reset the ecu by unplugging the negative terminal on the battery for about 10-15 secs. the CEL will go away. The CEL does not automatically means something is wrong. One of the sensors may have just detected something temporarily wrong. after resetting the CEL, drive it around. if it comes back on, then you should really pull the code at this point. Honda will pull your code for $50 and tell you what the code is. Take 5-10mins of your time and read the link. only thing you will need is a paper clip to jump the wiring.

I wish people would pay me $50 to pull their code, and find their CEL problems.

[turbcivic]

Why does everybody hate the dealerships? I look up check engine lights, SRS lights, ABS lights, all the time for free. If any of y'all are in the central Florida area, let me know if you have a problem. I am more then willing to help out.

[superbluecivicsi]

Originally Posted by turbcivic

Why does everybody hate the dealerships? I look up check engine lights, SRS lights, ABS lights, all the time for free. If any of y'all are in the central Florida area, let me know if you have a problem. I am more then willing to help out.

Florida eh.......................well here at moreno valley, riverside, hemet, and norm reeves honda in temecula CA, checking a CEL does not come free Autozone is your best bet to pull a simple code for free.

[turbcivic]

I'm a nice tech

[jbettens]

Thanks Superblue...I will try that. I asked the dealer about unplugging the battery when the the light first came (before I created this post) and he told me that only pre-'96 models this worked on. Anything newer had to be done at a dealer. I will then check the code if the light remains on as well. That was a great link!!! I will reply here with what I dermine and IF I do take it in on Tuesday I will also post what the delear determines.

[ChrisGun]

There is a problem that comes with the car from the factory. It is covered under agreement with the EPA. Ask your Honda dealer to check the emissions warranty extension agreement with the EPA. You may also call American Honda @ 800 999 1009. You are entitled to free service when the light comes on, along with free repairs to your emmissions system and a couple of free oil changes for 95,96,97 year models civics

[turbcivic]

Originally Posted by ChrisGun

There is a problem that comes with the car from the factory. It is covered under agreement with the EPA. Ask your Honda dealer to check the emissions warranty extension agreement with the EPA. You may also call American Honda @ 800 999 1009. You are entitled to free service when the light comes on, along with free repairs to your emmissions system and a couple of free oil changes for 95,96,97 year models civics

Nope jsut 1996 civics. I had mine done. New exahust manifold/ w cat and primary o2 sensor. I got payed to work on my car. Too bad it was warrenty time.

[jbettens]

Disconnected the negative terminal on the battery today for 10 to 15 seconds and then reconnected it. Turned car on the CEL was off!!! Drove the car around for awhile and the CEL remained off. Thanks for the tip!!! Saved me a trip across the city and $50 the dealer was gonna charge me!