Honda Car Forum

Hi,

My faithful 1994 Civic EX has nearly 140K miles. It runs great but the check
engine* light has been coming on recently, randomy. Sometimes I'll go
through my 5-mile commute without a flicker, but sometimes it comes on after
1-2 minutes.

* The light on the dashboard that has a little yellow picture of what looks
like an engine, I assume this is the check engine light.

Anyone know what inputs cause this light to go on?

Thanks
John

There are too many inputs to feasibly list

You need a manual and troubleshooting codes after you get the codes out of
the computer.


"John" <hutch@dontspamplease.com> wrote in message
news:410edfee$0$2824$61fed72c@news.rcn.com...
> Hi,
>
> My faithful 1994 Civic EX has nearly 140K miles. It runs great but the
check
> engine* light has been coming on recently, randomy. Sometimes I'll go
> through my 5-mile commute without a flicker, but sometimes it comes on
after
> 1-2 minutes.
>
> * The light on the dashboard that has a little yellow picture of what
looks
> like an engine, I assume this is the check engine light.
>
> Anyone know what inputs cause this light to go on?
>
> Thanks
> John
>
>

Thanks for the feedback. Off to the shop again!

(Getting the codes out of the computer sounds fun but time is short... if
anyone recommends any aftermarket hacks for accessing the computer I'd be
interested...)


"CaptainKrunch" <nobody@nothing.com> wrote in message
news:d-KdnWrm2oy_f5PcRVn-tA@comcast.com...
> There are too many inputs to feasibly list
>
> You need a manual and troubleshooting codes after you get the codes out of
> the computer.
>
>
> "John" <hutch@dontspamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:410edfee$0$2824$61fed72c@news.rcn.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > My faithful 1994 Civic EX has nearly 140K miles. It runs great but the
> check
> > engine* light has been coming on recently, randomy. Sometimes I'll go
> > through my 5-mile commute without a flicker, but sometimes it comes on
> after
> > 1-2 minutes.
> >
> > * The light on the dashboard that has a little yellow picture of what
> looks
> > like an engine, I assume this is the check engine light.

www.autozone.com click on the link on the right for free repair guides.

Or drive to Autozone and they'll be able to either read the codes directly for
you or tell you a few simple steps to do so. Really, they're great about this
stuff; it brings them business.

Updates are welcome.

Good luck.

"John" <hutch@dontspamplease.com> wrote
> Thanks for the feedback. Off to the shop again!
>
> (Getting the codes out of the computer sounds fun but time is short... if
> anyone recommends any aftermarket hacks for accessing the computer I'd be
> interested...)
>
>
> "CaptainKrunch" <nobody@nothing.com> wrote in message
> news:d-KdnWrm2oy_f5PcRVn-tA@comcast.com...
> > There are too many inputs to feasibly list
> >
> > You need a manual and troubleshooting codes after you get the codes out of
> > the computer.
> >
> >
> > "John" <hutch@dontspamplease.com> wrote in message
> > news:410edfee$0$2824$61fed72c@news.rcn.com...
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > My faithful 1994 Civic EX has nearly 140K miles. It runs great but the
> > check
> > > engine* light has been coming on recently, randomy. Sometimes I'll go
> > > through my 5-mile commute without a flicker, but sometimes it comes on
> > after
> > > 1-2 minutes.
> > >
> > > * The light on the dashboard that has a little yellow picture of what
> > looks
> > > like an engine, I assume this is the check engine light.
>
>

John wrote:
> Hi,
>
> My faithful 1994 Civic EX has nearly 140K miles. It runs great but the check
> engine* light has been coming on recently, randomy. Sometimes I'll go
> through my 5-mile commute without a flicker, but sometimes it comes on after
> 1-2 minutes.
>
> * The light on the dashboard that has a little yellow picture of what looks
> like an engine, I assume this is the check engine light.
>
> Anyone know what inputs cause this light to go on?
>
> Thanks
> John


===================

Most important thing mentioned in your Owner's manual would be
overfilling the tank, or forgetting to tighten the cap until it clicks.
If the cap is loose, it will take three trips to reset the light.

'Curly'

John wrote:

> (Getting the codes out of the computer sounds fun but time is short... if
> anyone recommends any aftermarket hacks for accessing the computer I'd be
> interested...)

Getting the codes is easy. See
http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/civicmanual/pdf/11-14.pdf for instructions.
This link refers to the service manual for the European market, but the
section about reading out the codes applies to the US model as well.

To find the service check connector, open the passenger door. Right in
front of the door jam, about the height where the carpet ends, you will
see the top of the ECU. The service check connector is tucked up above
the ECU, usually taped to the wire harness with blue tape. You do not
need the "SCS Short connector 07PAZ-0010100", a paper clip bent into a
U-shape will do just fine.