I have a 98 Civic. How do I get the trouble codes?
All cars sold new in the US since January 1, 1996 conform to the OBD II standard. It requires a code reader be connected to the car to retrieve the codes. (I know - I think it is bad form to not make the information available to the driver, but the feds didn't ask for my opinion.) Some auto part chain stores will read the codes for free (call and find out) in hopes of selling repair parts. The readers are also available for sale, starting at about $160 US. I broke down and bought one when our Toyota had a "check engine" light a few months ago. Some side issues... 1) The light is there to warn you the emission control system is not working right. Some of the codes are for things that also affect engine operation, but that isn't their primary reason for reporting. If the engine is running normally, the car is safe to drive in town and gently on the freeway. A few failures can make the mixture too rich and potentially damage the catalytic converter if you drive it hard. Otherwise, there is no problem continuing to drive. 2) A common (and frustrating) reason for the light to come on is a loose gas cap. I know, you're probably thinking "I'd never leave the gas cap loose" but that was why our Toyota had the light on - I'd goofed when I filled it the day before. If that is the case, tighten the cap and drive it. The light should go out in a few days. 3) If the code points to an emission-related device and you live in the USA, find out about whether your problem is covered under a mandatory federal emission extended warranty. If you are in California, I believe the emission warranty is extended farther. Mike
There has been some debate on the Honda forum as to whether post-96 hondas' codes can be read the way pre-96 OBDI cars were. I have not done it myself, but you can use a paperclip to jumper the 2 pin service connector by the ECU behind the passenger side kick panel. Then you turn the key to the 'ON' position (don't start it) and watch the Check Engine Light flash. Long flash = 10, short flash = 1. Then use the table (easily located on the internet or in the shop manual) to determine what the ECU thinks is wrong. As I said, I have not had to try this yet, but some people have had success with it, specifically on a 97 civic. t
Kick Panel? Under the glove box in front of the door? Pin 2 to Pin what? I think I have found the codes. Remarkably specific.
ya, the kick panel is below the glovebox. Try goin to the following links, the first one is a pic of the service connector, you just jumper it with a paper clip. The next one there is a video of someone checking the CEL on their civic. http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=682412&page=1 www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr?i=wMzc4NjA5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D Or try the following: http://tinyurl.com/5vxfg http://tinyurl.com/3jgr2 t
YES!! As I have stated in one of the Honda NG's: I have owned a US 1997 Civic LX sedan since new - purchased in Feb. 1997. I have jumpered the service connector a few times and have accurately read the codes using the method explained in this NG and used my Helm manual to reference the codes. I have successfully read an O2 sensor that went bad and had a CEL for "loose gas cap". Cap wasn't loose, the seal just wasn't good anymore. I think this was the last year the Civic would read this way. Jeff
Good to know! Do you know if the codes can be cleared by pulling a fuse, like in the old ones? (And I guess that means the OP is probably SOL with the '98) Mike
I haven't tried on my sister's 99 civic yet, but why would they change this function in the middle of a generation? Not to say its impossible, but I think unlikely, as in my manual for 96-98s it shows how to jumper the service connector. Terry 98 Civic LX 215000kms
The codes can still be cleared by pulling a fuse in the '99-'00 TL, so its a good bet that it also works on the 98 Civic. Not knowing which fuse, disconnecting the battery for a while should have the same effect.
On my 97 Civic, I disconnected the battery--I was cleaning the cable connections anyway. That did reset the CEL and cleared any codes. Jeff
under the hood in the fuse panel there is a 7.5amp fuse labelled 'Backup'. Pull that for about a minute, and your computer is reset. Don't drop the fuse, its tiny... t