1999 Civic EX Malfunction Indicator Lamp MIL -Question

Under 50,000 miles and the MIL or CEL ( Check Engine Light ) for
Emissions - stays on

VIN 1HGEJ8242XL 031679 Is not on the Recall list for Bulletin TSB
04-011 ( Feb 04 Throttle Body Air Screw Adjustment)
according to Mohawk Honda ( dealer who sold us this car )

How can two wires be jumpered and then how can the flashing CEL
indicate the exact Computer Codes ?

The method on the chat line seemed good but did not work after I
jumpered the two little phone jack sized terminals on the black and
brown wires, each has a white tracer on it.

Can anybody help?

Matt

 

(Matt) sprach im

That's an old-style error code reading method. Your car has ODB-II, which
means the codes cannot be read with the "flashing light" method.

You need an ODB-II scanner tool to read the codes. Any decent garage should
have one. Some places will even scan for codes for free.

It is decidedly UNwise to go shorting wires together without understanding
what it is you're doing. That's a good way to blow a fuse, or worse.

 

You can extract the code from ODB-II ('96 and newer Civic) with the
onboard MIL. But you would also need the factory manual to interpret
the code. Even then it would only point to which system or subsystem.

 

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

Good point: FACTORY MANUAL ! I've been steered wrong my a Chilton-toting
mechanic who had a bunch of wrong codes in his manual. He meant well,
but was mis-informed :-(

 

(Tomas) sprach im

Cool! Is it in fact done by shorting wires?

 

i spent the hundred bucks on the actron OBD2 code scanner. it not only
told me my O2 sensor was bad, it said:

"primary heated O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction"

that was pretty neat!

i not only knew which O2 sensor to check, but also which wires- the
heater circuit wires. i checked, and sure enough- no continuity!

i checked the other O2 sensor as well, and it had continuity. bout 40
ohms, IIRC.

that got rid of my MIL going on all the time, and the stumbling and
dying at idle.

 

Yes, green plug on passenger side foot well.

 

(Tomas) sprach im

Then the OP must have jumpered the wires wrong, because he was unable to
get the MIL to flash.

 

According the the factory manual, the codes can be read either with an
OBDII core reader or by using the Service Check Connector. The procedure
is to turn ignition off, then short the two wires (and according to the
manual they are Brown and Black, so it seems you got the right
connector) then turn the ignition to "RUN" (but not start the car). Then
the codes should flash on the MIL. Is this how you did it?

 

THANKS EVERYBODY - Great Dialog on the Honda Civic EX

My Daughter's car , she made an appointment as we have chatted. God
Bless the Saratoga Honda Service Department. Although she read the
book and tightened the cap , they told her to do it really tight and
wait not "three trips" but take / wait atleast three days --

I don't get this, the MIL / CEL is now off and so am I

I heading for a turkey sandwich.

THANKS AGAIN -