Honda Accord - New Spark Plugs caused Check engine light on

Hi all,

I have 1999 Honda Accord Ex, 4 Cyl. It has 90k miles on it. I just
changed the spark plugs as required in 90k service. I installed Honda
recommended NGK spark plugs. After I changed the spark plugs, the check
engine light came on. Did any one encounter similar problem or has
idea as to why this could happen. I also tighten the plugs as it says,
not loose and not to tight. Thanks for your help.

jp

 

It's best to goto AutoZone or your other local parts store that helps
you read the codes with their OBD II reader. See what the code is and
let us know.

It's possible that a plug doesn't function properly, is incorrectly
gapped or misfired because of the plug wires.

 

Yep, but if you live a long way from anyone with a code reader, try this
trick. Sometimes a vehicle will throw bogus codes, for no reason that
anyone can determine. Disconnect your battery for a few minutes and hook it
back up again. It probably needed the terminals cleaned anyway. If the
check engine light stays off, you are home free.

Also, did you connect all the spark plug wires firmly? A loose plug wire
can make the light come on.

Earle

 

One of the fuses in the fuse box under the hood in my 97 clears the ECM
or computer - a lot easier to remove a fuse for a few seconds than
disconnecting the battery - also my radio looses all presets and the
anti theft device keeps the car from starting until I find the
microbutton and press it.

 

If you are going to do much work on modern cars then you need a code
reader. Luckily for 1996 and newer models a generic reader will tell
you most of what you want to know.

Maybe you knocked a vac. hose loose, broke an ignition wire, or who
knows what. Maybe the code is unrelated to the recent work. Without
reading the codes out one is just shooting at ghosts in the dark.

Handheld code readers should be available from local auto parts stores
in the $100 - $200 range.

John

 

Where I live there is only one radio station, and it is pretty poor. Also,
as I said you need to clean those terminals sooner or later. ;^)

Earle

 

Thanks guys for your responses.

I went to AutoZone yesterday and found out that the engine light is on
due to the error code P1457. The computer interpreted it as - "can't
build vacuum in the tank". I talked to AutoZone guy and he wasn't able
to provide with further information. I requested him to turn off the
check engine light, if he could and he did it for me. Subsequently, I
called Honda dealer and they advised that it could be for many reason
but the most obvious would be due to the gas tank - the cap might be
loose. I checked the gas tank cap and it was tight. In fact, I had
tank filled like two weeks ago and it didn't show up the light unto two
weeks (so I wasn't convinced really) I will keep my fingers crossed
and wait if the engine light shows up again. Anyone had this
experience with this P1457 code before.

Regarding the spark plugs, they are exactly the same spark plugs as
Honda recommends in the manual. I have spark plug gap gauge. My model
recommends 1.0 to 1.1 mm (0.040inch) and I set it exactly like that.
Also not too loose not to tight as recommended. Is it possible that
the O2 censer is old? Does Honda have an error code for o2 censers?

Thanks,

 

Hi Earle:

Ya when I installed new spark plugs, I checked to connect spark plug
wires firmly. I checked it again right now and they seems to be fine
too. As I said in the other response, I got the engine light turned
off with help of AutoZone guy. I will wait for few days to see if it
shows up again. I am still concerned as I never had that light come on
before.

Thanks again
jp

 

Probably there is a failing vacuum hose somewhere.

To you other question, yes Hondas use oxygen sensors and yes a failure
of one would set it's own code.

John

 

Hey i don't know if this was fixed or not, but i was going over my
Haynes repair manual, the trouble code you had P1457 - the book states
EVAP control system leak near canister.

just wanted to let you know.
BeZeRk

 

I had the same problem was driving me crazy all this means is that
there is some type of air leak in your fuel tank area

bad gas cap is cheapest start here

mine turned out to be torn fillerneck hose which connects gas tank to
filler neck (where gas nozzel goes) take rear driver wheel off and
stick your head there and wiggle gas filler neck hose + look at where
connects to gas tank

honda also are known to burn out a purge silinoid on the evap system
burried on top of the gas tank / salt shorts them out

if you think it is the evap systen best bet is to buy complete system
on ebay vs individual part because this system is complex

you have an emision system problem + will not affect performance just
inspection

good luck this problem could be very tricky