Mysterious Check Engine Light

I have been having this problem with my 1991 Accura Integra for about a
year now:

Usually when i first put the key in the ignition, the check engine light
will come on, but go off after a couple of seconds, and the car will
start perfectly. However, other times, the light will stay on and as
long as the light is lit, the engine refuses to start. It SOUNDS
perfectly normal, just like it does when it starts with the light off,
(i mean the cranking and everything it usually does before it starts),
but nothing actually ever catches on. If i wait sometimes, the light
will go off, and immediately the car will be able to start. It seems
that as long as the light is on - it will not start. But if light is off
- it always starts perfectly fine. So it APPEARS from the driver's
perspective that the car's ability to start is purely a function of the
light's being on or off.

Does anybody know why this happens? it seems to happen slightly more
when it is hot outside.

Thanks in advance for any info

kevin bieri

 

This light is there to tell you something is wrong with your engine.
Have your car serviced.

 

You'll probably need to get the error code for more assistance.
Usually even if the light is out, the code will be stored in the ECU.
Get the code and report back.


Nick

 

1) Pull the carpet back from the passenger footwell to expose the ECU in
its yellow frame. 2) Turn ignition to "II" (dash lights will come on).
3) Read the blinks from the round red LED in the face of the ECU.

There may be both long and short blinks, and more than one code stored.
If there is more than one code, the blink sequences will be separated by
a 2-second pause. Long is worth 10, short is worth 1.

Examples: long-long-short= Code 21.
short-short-short_pause_long-long <repeat>= codes 3 and 20.

Report the code here.

 

OK, sorry its taking so long... im looking for a flashlight

 

well, of course, now that I've gone through all the trouble the car is
not having the problem at the moment. So ill have to wait until tomorrow
to check it, or maybe in a few hours. But thanks for the help so far, if
nothing else that should be enough for me to work off of. i hate going
to repair shops having no idea what im talking about.

thanks
kevin

 

the ecu will still store the code and flash it when the ignition is on,
so you can still read it.

 

brilliant.

 

Is it irony?

 

The code is stored for a certain number of key-on cycles if the error does
not recur, so check fast!

 

Do you have a reference for that?

My 05 HAH has been having a problem with the engine light flashing at
WOT since day one. It used to store the codes for misfiring. A few
software updates later, Honda claims that there are no stored codes when
I bring it in. I'm wondering what they changed in the software. Does
it no longer store codes for misfiring or does it erase the codes
sooner? My plan is to lemon-law the car for ongoing engine problems.
My 97 Civic HX was a terrific car but I have a big stack or repair
receipts for this HAH. Just yesterday the windshield cracked I
can't afford this car once the warranty is up.

 

I'm referring to the older non-OBD-II cars, like the OP's Integra.

 

The light blinds me. Help.

 

Another puzzle for non-native speaker. Irony again?

 

No iron-y here. Is all-aluminum. Honda, y'know.

Sorry. My joke (for those who missed it) played off jim's sarcastic
reply to MishaA's somewhat...silly...reply.

 

That kind of reply was given considering most probable level of car
knowledge and skills posessed by OP, based on his post. Not sure what
is silly about that.

 

Damn, son. Strip the sig when you reply.

Oh, wait, you're posting through a Web interface, not actual Usenet...