CEL Codes - How to check em, and what they mean
To check the Check Engine Light (commonly called a CEL)
1.) You can Go to your local autozone, pepboys, advanced auto etc etc and use their OBD II Scanner. Plug the scanner into your car and retreive your code. Or buy your own OBDII Scanner
2.) Compliments of K-Series.com ( http://www.k-series.com/content.php?...ine-Light-(CEL) )
Got CEL?
How to Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) without an OBDII Scan Tool - by rsxmachine
1. Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) aka Check-Engine Light (CEL) comes on while engine is running -- this indicates something is wrong and the ECU has stored a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC).
http://www.k-series.com/attachment.p...9&d=1293469915
2. Turn the engine OFF. Locate the OBDII Data Link Connector (DLC) under the driver's side dash (in the RSX, it is in the vicinity of your right knee when you are driving). Use a jumper wire to connect terminals 4 and 9 of the DLC.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you are connecting only the correct terminals as shown, otherwise you risk causing electrical damage to the ECU!
http://www.k-series.com/attachment.p...0&d=1293469987
http://www.k-series.com/attachment.p...1&d=1293470014
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON (II) position, but do not start the engine.
4. Carefully observe the CEL. It will flash in a distinct manner to display any DTCs that are stored (if there are no codes stored, the CEL will not flash). The pattern of flashes indicates a one- or two-digit numeric code. The first digit of the code is represented by long flashes. The second digit of the code is represented by short flashes. A zero is represented by a brief pause. For example, four long flashes followed by five short flashes is code 45. One long flash followed by a pause is code 10.
5. If there is more than one DTC stored, the CEL will display them in sequence, then it will continue to repeat all the codes after they have been displayed one time. Record and double-check all codes displayed.
6. Look up the meaning of the codes retrieved on the DTC Index Page. (Note that the one- or two-digit CEL codes correspond to more detailed four-digit OBDII codes.)
7. Clearing the codes: if you wish to clear the stored DTCs and reset the ECU, remove the #6 fuse (15A) in the underhood fusebox for at least 10
seconds. However, if you are going to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic for repair, it's better to leave the DTCs in the ECU so that they can read and troubleshoot them with an OBDII scan tool or Honda PGM console.
http://www.k-series.com/attachment.p...2&d=1293470215
To test this procedure I disconnected the intake air temperature sensor and one of the camshaft position sensors on my RSX, then ran the engine until the CEL came on. Reading the CEL flashes with the above method, I retrieved codes 10 and 57. As can be seen on the DTC Index Page these correspond to problems with the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor and the Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor, respectively. To verify these I then plugged in my Auterra OBDII scan tool and retrieved the DTCs P0113 (IAT Sensor Circuit High Voltage) and P0340 (CMP Sensor No Signal).
From TalonXRacer
'02-'03 CELs
Here are the CEL numbers and their proper Honda definition. The numbers within the (#) are the DTC #'s pulled when jumping the terminals.
P0010 (56) Variable Valve Timing Control(VTC) Oil Control Solenoid Valve Malfunction
P0011 (56) Variable Valve Timing Control(VTC) System
Malfunction
P0107 (3) Manifold Absolute Pressure(MAP) Sensor Circuit
Low Voltaqe
P0108 (3) Manifold Absolute Pressure(MAP) Sensor Circuit
Hiqh Voltaqe
P0112 (10) Intake Air Temperature(lAT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
P0113 (10) Intake Air Temperature(lAT) Sensor Circuit High
Voltage
P0116 (86) Englne Coolant Temperature(ECT) Sensor Range/Performance Problem
P0117 (6) Engine Coolant temperature(ECT) Sensor Circuit
Low Voltaqe
P0118 (6) Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit
Hiqh Voltaqe
P0325 (23) Knock Sensor Circuit Malfunction
P0335 (4) Crankshaft Position(CKP) Sensor no signal
P0336 (4) Crankshaft Position(CKP) Sensor Intermittent interruption
P0340 (57) Camshaft Position(CMP) Sensor A no signal
P0344 (57) Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor A Intermittent interrruption
P0341 (57) Variable Valve Timing Control(VTC) Phase Gap
P0420 (67) Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
P0451 (91) Fuel Tank Pressure(FTP) Sensor Range/Performance Problem
P0452 (91) Fuel Tank Pressure(FTP) Sensor Circuit low voltage
P0453 (91) Fuel Tank Pressure(FTP) Sensor Circuit high voltage
P0500 (17) Vehicle Speed Sensor(VSS) Circuit Malfunction
P0505 (14) Idle Control System Malfunction
P0563 (34) Engine Control Module(ECM) Power Source Circuit unexpected voltage
P0600 (39) Serial Communication Link Malfunction
P1106 (13) Barometric Pressure(BARO) Sensor Range/
Performance Problem
P1107 (13) Barometric Pressure(BARO) Sensor Circuit low voltage
P1108 (13) Barometric Pressure(BARO) Sensor Circuit high voltage
P1121 (7) Throttle Position(TPS) Sensor Signal lower than expected
P1122 (7) Throttle Position(TPS) Sensor Signal higher than expected
P1128 (5) Manifold Absolute Pressure(MAP) Sensor signal lower than expected
P1129 (5) Manifold Absolute Pressure(MAP) Sensor signal higher than expected
P1157 (48) Air Fuel Ratio(A/F) Sensor(sensor 1) Range/Performance Problems
P1158 (48) Air Fuel Ratio(A/F) Sensor(sensor 1) AFS terminal low voltage
P1159 (48) Air Fuel Ratio(A/F) Sensor(sensor 1) AFS terminal high voltage
P1163 (61) Air Fuel Ratio(A/F) Sensor(sensor 1) Slow Response
P1164 (61) Air Fuel Ratio(A/F) Sensor(sensor 1)Range/Performance Problems
P1166 (41) Air Fuel Ratio(A/F) Sensor(sensor 1) Heater Circuit Malfunction
P1167 (41) Air Fuel Ratio(A/F) Sensor(sensor 1) Heater System Malfunction
P0122 (7) Throttle Position(TPS) Sensor Circuit Low Voltaqe
P0123 (7) Throttle Posltion(TPS) Sensor Circuit Hiqh Voltage
P0128 (87) Coolinq System Malfunction
P0134 (41) Air Fuel Ratio(AF) Sensor(Sensor1) No Activity Detected
P0137 (63) Secondary Heated Oxygen Sensor(SecondaryHO2 Sensor 2) Circuit Low Voltaqe
P0138 (63) Secondary Heated Oxygen Sensor(SecondaryHO2 Sensor2) Circuit Hiqh Voltaqe
P0139 (63) Secondary Heated Oxygen Sensor(SecondaryHO2 Sensor2) Slow Response
P0141 (65) Secondary Heated Oxygen Sensor(SecondaryHO2S Sensor2) Heater Circuit Malfunction
P0171 (45) Fuel Svstem Too Lean
PO172 (45) Fuel System Too Rich
P0300 and P0301 thru P0304 Random Misfire
P0301 (71) P0301 No. 1 Cylinder Misfire
P0302 (72) P0302 No. 2 Cylinder Misfire
P0303 (73) P0303 No.3 Cylinder Misfire
P0304 (74) P0304 No. 4 Cvlnder Misfire
P1259 (22) VTEC System Malfunction
P1297 (20) Electrical Load Detector(ELD) Circuit Low voltage
P1298 (20) Electrical Load Detector(ELD) Circuit Hiqh voltage
P1361 (8) Camshaft Position(CMP) SensorB (Top Dead Center(TDC)Sensor) Intermittent Signal Interruption
P1362 (8) Camshaft Position(CMP)SensorB (Top Dead Center(TDC)Sensor) No Siqnal
P1456 (90) Evaporative Emissions(EVAP) Control System
Leakage (Fuel Tank System)
P1457 (90) Evaporative Emissions(EVAP) Control System
Leakage(EVAP Canister Svstem)
P1505 (109) Positive Crankcase Ventilation(PCV)Air Leakage
P1519 (14) ldle Air Control(IAC) Valve Circuit Malfunction
P1607 (-) Engine Control Module (ECM) Internal Circuit
Malfunction
All info is pulled from the following sources. thank you to these sources
http://www.engine-light-help.com/hon...ine-light.html
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1490107
*****************From Honda-Tech***Member - MuthaFodder********************
Okay, if you were like me and not wise to all of the 'know-how' regarding Check Engine Light (CEL) codes, Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) and the role of ODB-II / ODBII...........WELL THEN THIS IS FOR YOU
My first post here was regarding a Check Engine Light (CEL), and I'm pretty sure that's how a good lot of you guys and gals introduced yourselves as well. I searched and was overwhelmed by a ton of information that only confused me more. I promised myself that I would compile as much information as I could gather and submit it to you guys in hopes of helping others.
I just hope that the MODS recognize a need for this in our Accord Forum and sticky this information in some shape or form so that our fellow Accord owners will have a quick reference for much needed and often requested information......so please vote
Here We Go!!
The following is some general info on the ODB-II / ODBII system that is universal on all models after 1996:
The folllowing question and answer section is courtesy of Overboost.com..........don't worry the codes will come later.
First Thing's First: What Is OBD-II?
The term "OBD-II" can almost be categorized as a set of standards, and they're all gone over in great detail in the SAE On-Board Diagnostics for Light and Medium Duty Vehicles Standards Manual. OBD-II is really an international standard that covers everything from diagnostic codes to the shape of the data port connector where the codes are scanned. Prior to OBD-II, automakers invented their own methods for getting diagnostic information from on-board computers. Getting codes required the ignition key to be turned on-off-on-off-on, and then decoding the "Morse Code" blinks from the CHECK ENGINE light. "Code 13" would be one long blink for the 1 and three short blinks for the 3; a code 23 would be two long blinks for the 2 and three short blinks for the 3. On Hondas you had to pull up the carpet to see the ECM, and the ECM had an LED that would blink out a diagnostic code where 13 blinks would be a code 13... if you have several codes, be prepared to sit there a while counting blinks and hope you don't miss one and have to start over! With OBD-II, all codes are the same and the data port where you read them is the same (three feet from the driver and accessible without tools).
Does a CHECK ENGINE Light Necessarily Mean Power is Lost?
The short answer is NO. OBD-II conventions indicate that the major reason to set the CHECK ENGINE light (or Malfunction Indicator Lamp or MIL) is for a problem that immediately affects emissions. Removing the oxygen sensor downstream of the catalytic converter will set the MIL, but this sensor has absolutely zero to do with fuel, spark and boost. As far as the ECM is concerned it means your catalytic converter isn't doing its job of grinding up exhaust particles. Some engine faults will set the MIL immediately and some have to be recurring, so theoretically you could have a problem, no MIL and a power loss. The system's not perfect.
What Exactly is "Limp Home" Mode?
This is the portion of the OBD-II standards that makes cars more reliable. In the old days, if your MAF became disconnected the engine might stall or it might still run at 100 percent fuel delivery. On OBD-II cars, a disconnected MAF will cause the computer to keep the engine running using data from RPM, throttle position and MAP sensor. OBD-II computers also have big brains. If a coolant temp sensor reads 200 degrees F one minute and drops to –30 the next, the ECM will realize something is wrong and remove its output from the fuel and spark decision tree. (In this case, the ECM will base its decisions on a coolant temp of 176 degrees F.) Here's something else neat that owners of late-model VWs and Audis can appreciate. If one cylinder is misfiring excessively, raw fuel is dumped into the exhaust stream and can cause the catalytic converter to overheat. OBD-II ECMs can detect this and will temporarily shut off the fuel injector to the offending cylinder.
Can Aftermarket Mods Cause a "Limp Mode" Situation?
They can and do, but not usually experienced from a proper bolt-on part such as an exhaust or down pipe. Although some exhaust systems will set of the Check Engine Light because some down pipes don't retain enough heat to keep the catalytic converter at operating temp. The basic rule of thumb when dealing with an OBD-II system is to not screw with sensor data.
Some Quick Jargon
So, what do the codes look like? Their proper name being: Diagnostic Trouble Code or DTC, which is a five-digit alphanumeric string. The first character is a letter that indicates the trouble group; the second character indicates if the code is an OBD-II code or proprietary; the third character indicates the vehicle sub-system and the last two characters are the fault number.
There are some "generic" DTCs. This is because each generic DTC could have numerous DTCs under it. This is to make sure that standard OBD conventions can suit all vehicles. For example, ECT sensor, P0115. The exact verbiage of this error is "Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Malfunction." P0116 is "Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem." There are no fewer than five DTCs for the coolant temp sensor alone, but not all cars will use all of them. There are 37 separate codes for oxygen sensors; some cars have dual exhausts and use two front and two rear sensors. Some might use three sensors per pipe. The OBD conventions cover all permutations. Also, at times a single failed sensor can cause a litany of DTCs; a bad oxgyen sensor can give you a P0130, P0131, and P0133, and simply replacing the sensor would fix all three. This is one of those examples when the ECM takes its job a little too seriously and throws the book at you.
What Are the Limp Modes and What Causes Them?
There are some proprietary failures that aren't listed in the table below, but the major OBD-II conventions are listed and represent the bulk of what you'll need to know. Bad or missing data from one of the following sensors will cause the ECM to go into a "limp home" mode:
Mass Air Flow (MAF), Mass Air Sensor (MAS), Vein Air Flow (VAF), Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)
ECM will use throttle position and engine RPM for basic fuel delivery function; disables active idle control. Generic DTC: P0100
Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor
ECM will assume air temp is a constant 25 degrees C/77 degrees F. Generic DTC: P0110
Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
Disables temporary fuel enrichment on acceleration (can cause hesitation/stalling). Generic DTC: P0120
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
ECM will assume coolant temp is 80 degrees C/176 degrees F. Generic DTC: P0115
Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor
On a four-cylinder engine, runs injectors in a 1-3-4-2 firing order with irregular timing. If no signal is present, shuts of fuel supply after four seconds. Generic DTC: P0340
Barometric pressure sensor (BARO)
Assumes that atmospheric air pressure is sea level (101 kPa/30 inches Hg). Generic DTC: P0105
Crankshaft Flux (knock) sensor (CKF)
Switches ignition timing profile from high-octane to low-octane mode. Most factory turbo cars will go into a lower-boost mode too. Generic DTC: P0325
Cylinder misfire
Shuts off fuel to the misfiring cylinder. Some ECMs use crank speed variations and some ECMs that use ultra fast oxygen sensors can use the sensor's profile to figure out which cylinder is misfiring. Generic DTC: P0300
Exhaust Gas Oxygen (EGO) Sensor – Front
Does not use EGO sensor to provide corrected fuel delivery; ECM goes straight from lookup tables. Generic DTC: P0130
Exhaust Gas Oxygen (EGO) Sensor – Rear
Although this failure won't cause a power loss, but will cause the MIL to illuminate and we're compelled to discuss it. The front sensor is used for fuel trim correction but the rear sensor's data is almost totally ignored by the ECM. As long as the rear sensor's cross counts are fewer than the front sensor's, the ECM assumes the catalytic converter is working normally. Generic DTC: P0130
Turbocharger wastegate actuator
If the ECM decides that boost pressure is too high (through excessive air flowing through the MAF or by a more direct measurement with a MAP) then fuel is cut until boost drops back down. Generic DTC: P0243
--Credit where credit is due...again all of the info above within the smileys is courtesy of Overboost.com--
Here is another site to watch on upcoming in-detail description of ODB-II codes:
http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/
All the info listed within the 'thumbs-up' section above were compiled with scattered information found on the internet and then put together in Excel by me ---> "MuthaFodder". A copy of the Excel file can be sent over AIM or maybe an email if requested, it doesn't come out that well here in this thread.......courtesy of me and a few hours of my life fellas.
A few links regarding more codes in different formats, as if you hadn't seen enough already
http://www.superhonda.com/foru...pp=15
http://forums.torontoaccords.c...85a06
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