How To Pull CEL, D4, SRS, and ABS Codes (with Code Lists)

[pdiggitydogg]

Abbreviations
CEL = Check Engine Light in gauge cluster
D4 = Automatic transmission D4 light in gauge cluster
SRS = Supplemental Restraint System (Airbags) light in gauge cluster
ABS = Anti-Lock Brake System light in gauge cluster
OBD = OnBoard Diagnostics system (92-95 OBD1; 96-00 OBD2)
ECU = Electronic Control Unit (car's computer)

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Table of Contents:

Post 1

• How to retrieve OBD1 CEL codes by shorting/jumping the service connector
  
• How to read OBD1 codes that blink from the CEL
• How to clear OBD1 CEL codes/Reset the ECU
  
• Testing whether the CEL works and other helpful tips
• OBD1 CEL code list

This information applies not only to OBD1 92-95 Civics and Del Sols but also to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.
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Post 2

• Retrieving OBD2 CEL codes using a code reader
• OBD2 CEL code list

This information applies only to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.
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Post 3

• Retrieving OBD2 and D4 automatic transmission codes
  
• OBD2 and D4 code list

This information applies only to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.
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Post 4

• Retrieving SRS airbag system codes
  
• SRS code list

This information applies to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols, and possibly 94-95 Civics.
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Post 5

• Retrieving ABS anti-lock brake system codes
  
• ABS code list

This information applies only to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.
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Post 6

• Retrieving ABS anti-lock brake system codes
  
• ABS code list

This information applies only to OBD1 92-95 Civics and Del Sols.

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Post 1

How to pull OBD1 CEL codes at home in five easy steps
(This method applies to OBD1 92-95 Civics and Del Sols and OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.)

Does the CEL in your gauge cluster remain on steady while driving or when the key is in ON(II)? If so, your ECU has detected a problem and has stored it as a malfunction code.



Don't just reset the ecu, done by removing the 7.5A hood Back Up fuse for 3 minutes (see diagrams below). Sure, this will clear the code temporarily but you're not finding out what's wrong with your car. Instead, first retrieve the CEL code(s) to see what the problem may be.

Described below is how to retrieve CEL codes at home without driving to a mechanic, auto parts store, or the Honda dealer. CEL codes recovered by this method are defined in a list at the end of this post.




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Five Easy to Follow Steps:

1) Get a CEL



2) On the passenger side, remove the kick panel at the floor. Behind it is your ecu and a jumper plug (aka the service connector).



92-95 Civics:



96-00 Civics:




3) Locate the jumper plug (Civic 92-93 is gray; Civic 94-00 is blue). It's a 2-pin/wire plug.



For the 94-00 Civics, this plug has 1 Brown wire and 1 Black wire.



For 92-93 Civics, there is 1 Brown wire and 1 Green with White stripe wire.



4) With the key OFF, insert either a 2-pin connector clip or a loop of wire (e.g., a paper clip) into both holes on the connector.

5) Back in the driver's seat, turn the key to the ON(II) position. The CEL will come on like normal but will then begin to flash.

**By counting the number of flashes, you can decipher the CEL code**
A LONG flash (1 second) is 10
A SHORT flash (0.5 second) is 1

For example, two long flashes followed quickly by two short flashes would be code 22. If there is more than one code, each code will be separated by a 2.5 second gap.



6) Now that you have pulled the CEL codes, clear them by resetting the ECU (see Tip #3 below).




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HELPFUL TIPS

Tip #1: Does my CEL work?
To know whether your CEL works, turn the key from off to the ON(II) position. The CEL should turn on and then off after 2 seconds. If the CEL never turns on, this could mean that the CEL bulb in the cluster is blown, a CEL wire is bad, or a previous owner has removed the CEL bulb to mask a problem that would have hindered sale of the car.

Tip #2: How do I verify that no CEL codes are thrown?
If the CEL works but does not remain on steady with the key in ON(II) or while driving, then no CEL codes are thrown. In this case, if you jump the service connector, the CEL will remain on steady rather than blink some codes.

Tip #3: My CEL turns on while driving but I can't pull any codes?
In some cases, the CEL of 5th generation Civics (92-95) may turn on while driving, but if the engine is turned off, the CEL and CEL code will be lost. The workaround to allow recovery of the code when this happens is to safely pull to the side of the road and leave the engine running while you jump the service connector.

Tip #4: How do I reset the ECU to clear the CEL codes?
After you retrieve the CEL codes, then reset the ECU to clear the codes. This is done by removing the 7.5A hood Back Up fuse for 3 minutes or more and then reinserting it. Then drive the car to see whether the CEL again remains on steady. If so, pull the codes again to see whether any of the original codes has repeated. This step is important because you only want to troubleshoot codes that repeat. In general, ignore codes that pop up once but don't repeat.


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OBD1 CEL code List

0 ECU - ECU circuit problem

-code 0 is defined by the CEL remaining on steady both without and with the service connector jumped.

-If the engine does not start, code 0 indicates that the ECU is not receiving power and/or ground or that the ECU is bad. When code 0 is thrown, start by (1) checking fuses 24 and 31 (92-95 Civics) or fuses 13 and 44 (96-00 Civics), (2) resoldering the main relay, and (3) cleaning and tightening the G101 ground attached to the thermostat housing.

-If the engine does start, check for a short in the service connector wire or the CEL ground wire that runs to the ECU.

1 O2A - Oxygen sensor #1
2 O2B - Oxygen sensor #2
3 MAP - manifold absolute pressure sensor
4 CKP - crank position sensor
5 MAP - manifold absolute pressure sensor
6 ECT - water temperature sensor
7 TPS - throttle position sensor
8 TDC - top dead centre sensor
9 CYP - cylinder sensor
10 IAT - intake air temperature sensor
12 EGR - exhaust gas recirculation lift valve
13 BARO - atmospheric pressure sensor
14 IAC (EACV) - idle air control valve
15 Ignition output signal
16 Fuel injectors
17 VSS - speed sensor
19 Automatic transmission lockup control valve
20 Electrical load detector
21 VTEC spool solenoid valve
22 VTEC pressure valve
23 Knock sensor
30 Automatic transmission A signal
31 Automatic transmission B signal
36 traction control found on JDM ecu's
38 Secondary vtec solenoid on JDM 3 stage D15B Vtec ECUs (P2J)
41 Primary oxygen sensor heater
43 Fuel supply system
45 Fuel system too rich or lean
48 LAF - lean air fuel sensor
54 CKF - crank fluctuation sensor
58 TDC sensor #2
61 Primary oxygen sensor
63 Secondary oxygen sensor circuit
65 Secondary oxygen sensor heater wire (black wires)
67 Cat Converter
70 Automatic transmission problem
71 random misfire cylinder 1
72 random misfire cylinder 2
73 random misfire cylinder 3
74 random misfire cylinder 4
80 EGR Valve/Line
86 ECT sensor - Cooling System
90 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak
91 Fuel Tank pressure sensor
92 EVAP Solenoid/Valve/Vacuum Lines





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Now that you know what OBD1 CEL codes are thrown, you can begin to go about fixing it. How you do that is your call, but there are lots of members here that can probably assist you. Once you have fixed the problem, reset the ECU, and you should be good to go. Happy fixing.

I only describe how to check the Check Engine Light (CEL). I do not know how to fix every single issue that may pop up. A CEL can come up for lots of reasons, so there is no one set answer for each of them. If you do get a CEL, check the CEL code number as described above and then search for what other people have done. If you can't find an answer, make a new thread about it.

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[RonJ@HT]

Post 2

• Retrieving OBD2 CEL codes using a code reader
• OBD2 CEL code list
• How to clear OBD2 CEL codes
  

This information applies only to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.
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Abbreviations
MIL = Malfunction Indicator Light (same as CEL)
DLC = Diagnostic Trouble Code (same as CEL code)
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How to pull OBD2 CEL codes

92-95 Civics have an OBD1 ECU, whereas 96-00 Civics have the more advanced OBD2 ECU.

Interestingly, the OBD2 ECU of 96-00 Civics is somewhat of a hybrid system in that CEL codes may be retrieved either (Method 1) by jumping the service connector (see Post 1) or (Method 2) by connecting a code reader or scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC) located near the hood release lever (see below). Method 1 recovers OBD1 codes, whereas Method 2 recovers OBD2 CEL codes, which are preferable as they are more informative at pinpointing the problem.

You can purchase a code reader or scan tool to pull OBD2 CEL codes. Alternatively, you can also drive to AutoZone or certain other auto parts stores that will pull OBD2 CEL codes free of charge.





When you pull OBD2 CEL codes, you will find that they look very different from OBD1 codes. OBD2 CEL codes follow this format: P followed by a 4 digit number (e.g., P0420).

In the charts below, you will find lists of all OBD2 codes for 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.

You will also see numbers in parentheses. These numbers indicate the equivalent OBD1 CEL codes that are retrieved by jumping the service connector.

The last diagram in this post describes how to clear CEL codes from the ECU/reset the ECU.

[RonJ@HT]

Post 3

• Retrieving D4 automatic transmission codes
• How to clear D4 codes
  
• OBD2 and D4 code list

This information applies only to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.
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Automatic transmission trouble codes are indicated by a solid CEL or blinking D4 light in the gauge cluster. The codes can be pulled with either a code reader/scan tool (see Post #2 for method and code list), or by jumping the service connector and reading the blinking D4 light.

Codes are cleared from the ECU as described in Post #2.

[RonJ@HT]

Post 4

• Retrieving SRS airbag system codes
• How to clear SRS codes
  
• SRS code list

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This information possibly applies to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols. 94-95 Civics may be similar or identical to 96-98 Civics.

When the SRS light stays on, jump the service connector to pull the codes:

[RonJ@HT]

Post 5

• Retrieving ABS anti-lock brake system codes
• How to clear ABS codes
  
• ABS code list

This information applies only to OBD2 96-00 Civics and 96-97 Del Sols.
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When the ABS light stays on, pull the codes by jumping the service connector:

[RonJ@HT]

Post 6

• Retrieving ABS anti-lock brake system codes
• How to clear ABS codes
  
• ABS code list

This information applies only to OBD1 92-95 Civics and Del Sols.
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When the ABS light stays on, pull the codes by jumping the service connector: