I have 6 years old car (Honda accord), cheque engine light on, what was the reason?

My 6 year old Honda Accord getting "Cheque engine" light on, does
anybody have any idea, what will be the reason, I am getting this
since last two months, so far no problem, I took it to my dealer, he
said they don't have computer diagnostic facility, he referred me to
some other place, they charges $100 bucks for that. Any idea?. Thanks
in advance.

 

Take it to an Autozone store. They should read what the code is that
caused the "Check Engine Light" to come on for no charge.

Other discount auto parts stores often offer the same, free service.
E.g. maybe Checker and Carquest.

 

First off, reset it and see if it comes back on. Could have been a
loose gas cap

http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/faq.html#retrieve

Also, have you changed your timing belt yet?

 

My check engine light turned out to be an O2 Sensor


1994 Integra 200,000 miles

 

I did check the gas cap, gas cap was very tight. any other clues?. Thanks.

 

Is it the V6? Honda has an extended warranty on the emissions system for
the 98 and 99 year Accord V6 (80,000 miles or 8 years) on the egr valve and
unplugging a port in the intake manifold that gets clogged up with carbon.
If you have an Autozone store near you. They will read the code that is
stored for free.

 

Not just the V6.....Honda replaced the catalytic converter on my 99 Accord
EX 4 cyl under this 8 year/80,000 mile emission extended warranty. The
check engine light code was P204 I believe.

 

It appears that you still have not done what another previous poster
stated. You need to reset you check engine light and see if the light
comes back on again. To do this, disconnect the battery for about a
minute and then re-conect. If this is an EX model, you will need to
have the radio code handy otherwise your radio will not work after you
do this.

Also for $100, the cost of the place you were referring to, you can
buy the actual scanner for that price at PepBoys or Autozone.

Nick

 

Guys:

I took my car to autozone, they read my code P1457, when they enter
this code, their computer says, unavailable data. They don't know what
is this code, thay says, might be some air in the gas pipe. After that
they erased this code, now I can't see this "check engine" light. If I
take it to inspection, whether those guys can easily read this code by
doing emission test right?.

But anybody have any idea, what is that code?. thanks.

 

Googling for {P1457 code Honda} yields a number of hits that say for a
1998 Honda this is an Evaporative Emission Control System Leak
Detected (Control Canister System). See for example
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_14.htm

Like John Ings said, this apparently can be set off by simply a loose
gas cap. See for example http://www.all-acura.com/ftopict-689.html

But it could be other things.

I'm surprised the dealer couldn't diagnose this. My understanding is
they get a lot of people coming in with Check Engine Lights and the
cause is simply a loose gas cap.

Check your owner's manual for the proper way to tighten the gas cap. I
know you said you tightened it properly, but if the light does not
come back, then I wouldn't sweat this.

Remember, the CEL won't go off just because you corrected the
condition. You have to reset the computer to get the light off. You
should be able to do this by disconnecting the battery's negative
terminal wire, as others here have said. Check your owner's manual for
this.

 

I did reset my CEL. But if I take my car for inspection, will it
pass?. I spspect their Emission test can detect this?.

 

My car does the same, I have a 98 accord Ex.
I know that some people claim it can be time for a tune-up. If your car was
in a previous accident it could mean that there was a pipe that was not
replaced. Maybe you need to change your catalaic converter.Or something
related to your exhaust.
If I were you, I would reset it, I know my check engine light came on.
however, the car runs very good, and very quiet/smooth! I have had 4
different drivers test it, and mechanics look at it, and it's fine! Very
healthy!
These cars are good for over 300,000km's If It ain't broken then don't worry
about it!
Remember the O2 sensors are all over the car and it could mean alot of
problems. So I wouldn't waste my time with it.

 

If you reset the CEL, the code has also been erased. It will not come up
any more unless it is triggered by a new fault. The inspection people will
not see the old code.

Of course, that does not guarantee it will pass...

 

I took it to dealer, they says:

1) "Evap Canister Vent Shut Valve" replacement has to be done - labor
$220 and parts $140 (Canister set and W-Valve)

2) "Converter shield" replacement - labor $90 and parts $60.

Totally $500 bugs, car runs fine and smooth, what to do?.