2000 Accord Check Engine 100,000K

[dasso10]

My check engine light came on in my 2000 Honda Accord. I checked the gas cap like the manual said to do and after many miles it is still on. My wife was driving the car when it came on and it had to have been on or very very close to when we hit 100,000 miles. Is there anything associated between the light and milage (or is it just that my extended warrenty ran out at 100k ). If not I have heard that Auto Zone has the equipment to read the code.

Any Advice???

[00accord44]

I don't understand the connection between the CEL and you checking your gas cap. Have you been getting poor mileage? Auto Zone can check to see what error code(s) are present for free unless things have changed.

Anything acting funny otherwise? Its also possible that the light is coming on to prompt you to perform routine maintenance. Even if nothing is wrong the light will flash on startup at certain preset intervals.

[Igovert500]

Check engine light comes on, when the computer realizes something isn't working the way it should. This can mean any one of thousands of things, so without scanning the ecu for a code, nobody can help you. Autozone can/will scan it for free. When they do, take whatever advice they give you with a grain of salt (there is a reason they are working for $9 an hour behind a counter rather than for $60 under an actual car...not bashing everybody who works there, but I've heard some really stupid stuff from them over the years) Get the trouble code (it should be something like P1234) then come back here, and check the links in the FAQ and figure out exactly what the code is telling you. With that information, we can point you towards the most likely culprit(s).

As far as the gas cap thing...that is 1 little thing that can cause a check engine light, one among many as I said before. For some reason it's commonly and incorrectly assumed that a check engine light either means a loose gas cap or a bad 02 sensor.

[dasso10]

Thanks for the quick reply. The only reason that I mentioned the gas cap is because that is what the owners manual tells you to check, if it doesn't solve the problem they want you to take it to the shop. I was thinking that since I need to have my oil changed, I might just take it to the honda dealer to have it done. I am guessing that they will read the code and tell me what I need fixed. From there hopefully it is something that I can do myself. If I end up going to auto zone I will make sure and ask everyone on here for their advice on the code.

Thanks again

[somick]

I am pretty sure it you ask your dealer to read codes for you they will charge you. I hope I am wrong but that is how they make money. Why pay them when you can do it yourself?

In my area Autozone will not read codes for you, but instead they will give the code reader and you do it right there in the parking lot. Instructions are very simple.
The only problem you may have is where to hook the actual reader to.
On my 99 Accord LX it is located under the dash right near my left knee.

Good luck,

Sam

[Igovert500]

Dealership will charge you $60-$70 to plug in teh scanner, hit 2 buttons, and retrieve the code. They will then offer to fix it, and start replacing the most expensive parts first, until they find the broken part. If they run up $800 worth of replacement parts before they find it, you get a shoddy explanation and get stuck with the bill. I used to work at one, which is why I say, stay away from them whenever you can.

[dasso10]

I was just hoping that during the oil change the dealership would read the code without me asking to do so. I better not get charged if I didn't ask for it. I would assume they would do this to try make more money on fixing the problem. When they tell me what needs to be fixed I would say thats ok I'll do it myself. I guess im probablly best off going to auto zone from what everyone is saying.

[00accord44]

Originally Posted by dasso10

I guess im probablly best off going to auto zone from what everyone is saying.

correcto

[RIP]

Read the third post in this thread:http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...da+fault+codes

I don't know squat about Hondas so this might not apply to your 2000. Maybe someone else can confirm.

[Igovert500]

Originally Posted by RIP

Read the third post in this thread:http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...da+fault+codes

I don't know squat about Hondas so this might not apply to your 2000. Maybe someone else can confirm.

That's for OBDi ecus. OBDii (96+) will have different pin configurations, and while manually retrieving the codes is still possible, I think???, (albeit a PITA, when free plug-in scanners are available), you would have to short different pins together...and frankly I'm not sure which ones (you could consult a haynes manual). If you short incorrect pins together, you can damage your ECU.
Bottom line, unless you live outside the USA, it is less time and trouble to just go to Autozone.

[dasso10]

ok, I went to Auto Zone and got the code. It came up as P1456. The sheet that they gave me stated two possible problems.

1. Evap "emission control sys" leak detected (gross leak/no flow)

2. Fuel tank temperature sensor circut malfunction

Anyone have suggestions??

[Igovert500]

P1456 Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) Control System Leakage (Fuel Tank System)

Um, to be honest, I wasn't aware we had fuel tank temp sensors but I don't see how that corresponds to this error code. Now there is a seperate code for EVAP system leakage in the charcoal canister system (which deals with excess gas fumes). This one is specifically for the tank itself.

First and foremost, I'd turn on the car, and look under it and see if you can see any fuel leaking. Because perhaps you have a hole in your fuel tank or fuel pump junction. Do you see any fuel leaking? Do you smell fuel?
This is one of the rare occassions, when, perhaps it was actually the gas cap. Did the Autozone people reset it and turn off the check engine light? If they did, did it come back on while driving?

[dasso10]

I reset the light myself yesterday and have not had any problems YET. I have driven the car quite a bit yesterday and today. I think it is solved, I'll let you all know if I have any more problems.


Thanks