My 98 honda accord 'check engine' yellow light has been on, anybody know possible causes

[TranceNation]

has anybody experience this before and/or anybody know what could be wrong? Or is it normal for it to come on after xxx miles?

 

Your Honda has OBD II for which you will need a scanner to extract any trouble codes, take it to a repair shop.

 

[RMSistight]

It would be wise to immediately take your car to an automotive shop so they can run a diagnostic so they can specifically determine what is causing that light to go out. It really doesn't matter how many miles you have. Just get it checked ASAP.

 

[tnitsuj]

Take it to autozone and they will pull the code for free. Otherwise look up check engine, honda, and paperclip on Google.

 

Otherwise look up check engine, honda, and paperclip on Google

DO NOT do this, this only works on pre OBD II vehicles.

 

[BCYL]

Did it come on after you fill-up your car?

If so, it might just be your gas cap isn't on tight enough... remember it needs to click 3 times...

 

[Ornery]

• :Q OMG, NO! NOT THE YELLOW LIGHT!!!! :Q

 

[dabuddha]

I've been driving my 94 accord with the check engine light on for almost 30000 miles now. My friend's dad told me that "If it's an American car and the check engine light comes on, you're fscked. If it's a japanese car, then you don't have to worry about it." Granted, I should get it checked but I just haven't had the time.

 

I've been driving my 94 accord with the check engine light on for almost 30000 miles now. My friend's dad told me that "If it's an American car and the check engine light comes on, you're fscked. If it's a japanese car, then you don't have to worry about it." Granted, I should get it checked but I just haven't had the time.

Incorrect, all modern automobiles run the same system whether it it Japanese, American, German, Korean, they all use OBD II, if the light comes on, it indicates a fault in the system.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: TranceNation
has anybody experience this before and/or anybody know what could be wrong? Or is it normal for it to come on after xxx miles?

My 2001 Accord has this come on at every scheduled maintenance period(miles)

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Roger

Otherwise look up check engine, honda, and paperclip on Google

DO NOT do this, this only works on pre OBD II vehicles.

It works on my 98 OBDII Honda??? Why else would they have the service check connector there? You can actually buy the connector from Honda which does the same thing as the paperclip.

 

It works on my 98 OBDII Honda??? Why else would they have the service check connector there? You can actually buy the connector from Honda which does the same thing as the paperclip.

No it does not, the connector is there for hooking up a scanner, stick a paper clip in there, turn on the ignition and you will burn the ECM.

In the past six months I have replaced two ecm's in customers cars because of this very mistake.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Roger

It works on my 98 OBDII Honda??? Why else would they have the service check connector there? You can actually buy the connector from Honda which does the same thing as the paperclip.

No it does not, the connector is there for hooking up a scanner, stick a paper clip in there, turn on the ignition and you will burn the ECM.

As far as I know thier is no scanner that hooks into the service check connector on a Honda. My car has a scanner connector which you obviously can't jumper and a service check connector which you can jumper. Two very different things.

As I said before Honda will sell me a part (described in factory service manual) that does the exact same thing on the service check connector as a paperclip does. Doesn't damage the ECM.

 

[Crusty]

My 98 Accord Check Engine Light comes on everytime there is a scheduled maintence, even for just Oil Changes. Crack open your book and check the mileages. Most likely in need of some regular maintenance.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: MCrusty
My 98 Accord Check Engine Light comes on everytime there is a scheduled maintence, even for just Oil Changes. Crack open your book and check the mileages. Most likely in need of some regular maintenance.

Check engine light shouldn't come on for scheduled maintenance. You might be referring to your maintenance indicator.

Check engine light usually indicates a problem with your emissions/ignition systems. Might be as simple as a loose gas cap.

 

[tnitsuj]

Roger,
Are you referring to the DTC 16 pin ODB-II DLC connector, or the SCS service connector?

 

[tnitsuj]

Roger I am referring to this:

from importautoparts


The SCS service connector is a Honda part which is equivalent to a paperclip.

To access the DTC memory using a scan tool, connect the Honda PGM Tester or an OBD II scan tool to the 16-pin DLC. The DLC is located in the center console behind the ashtray, Fig. 1. Turn the ignition On and begin troubleshooting as indicated by the tester, following its prompts to diagnose the error. If unsure how to operate the scan tool or PGM tester, refer to the tool user's manuals for specific operating instructions.






To access DTC memory using the MIL, connect the SCS service connector to the SCS check connector. The SCS 2 pin connector is located under the passengers side of the instrument panel, Fig. 2. Place ignition switch in the On position begin MIL flash code diagnosis.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: TranceNation
has anybody experience this before and/or anybody know what could be wrong? Or is it normal for it to come on after xxx miles?

My 2001 Accord has this come on at every scheduled maintenance period(miles)

no no no, not the little maintenance switch, he's talking about the picture of the engine and the light behind it, that indicates a problem, may not be serious, or it may be, but it isn't the maintenance light

 

[InlineFive]

Both of my Volvos are doing this also. The '97 850 has it's turned on because I haven't got the oil checked yet.

But my classy '96 850GLT (loaded I might add) keeps having it's Check Engine AND Service light come on. :|

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Both of my Volvos are doing this also. The '97 850 has it's turned on because I haven't got the oil checked yet.

But my classy '96 850GLT (loaded I might add) keeps having it's Check Engine AND Service light come on. :|

OK people. Check engine lights do not come on for maintenance. Service or maintenance lights come on for maintenance. You can usually reset a service light by pushing a button or something.

 

[Ornery]

• :Q OMG, NO! NOT THE picture of the engine and the light behind it LIGHT!!!! :Q

 

[amcdonald]

Ddi you check to make sure your engine is still there?
It might have been stolen. That happened to this guy I know.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Roger

I've been driving my 94 accord with the check engine light on for almost 30000 miles now. My friend's dad told me that "If it's an American car and the check engine light comes on, you're fscked. If it's a japanese car, then you don't have to worry about it." Granted, I should get it checked but I just haven't had the time.

Incorrect, all modern automobiles run the same system whether it it Japanese, American, German, Korean, they all use OBD II, if the light comes on, it indicates a fault in the system.

He was referring to the quality of the cars. Meaning if it's a japanese car, it'll still keep on running. He wasn't talking about the system itself

 

[TranceNation]

thanks all. just an update. I went to Autozone as someone here suggested and they pulled the error code. turns out that it wasn't anything too serious, my c02 emissions were below the threshold.