odo53

Check Engine Light came on so I jumpered the "service check connector" and turned the key. The CEL comes on for maybe 1 or 2 seconds along with all the other dash lights that come on, flashes off for less than a second, then comes on solid.

My Haynes manual has a list of trouble codes based on long pulses and short pulses of the light. The CEL is supposed to come on with all the other lights when you first turn the key to ON. It stays on because there is some trouble code. So do I interpret this as a trouble code of 0 because there were no extraneous blinks? Do I interpret it as trouble code 1 because it did flash off? Or maybe it is trouble code 10 because there was 1 long blink and no short blinks?

If it is a 1 it means oxygen sensor, which I suspect is the problem 90% of the time a check engine light comes on in a Honda. Haynes manual says there is one sensor in the manifold. Rock Auto says there is an upstream and a downstream. It's cold and wet here and I am getting old so I'd like to order the part(s) before I crawl on the ground. Does the 96 Accord LX 2.2L have 1 or 2 oxygen sensors???

woolydotmatrix

Two, One before the converter and one after... The solid light puzzles me....typically code one will flash once ( after the bulb check) and then again and so on..the same with code 10 but the flash stays on for longer... a solid light to me indicates more than an O2 sensor possible computer ground failure or ecm circut problem.....That being said let start with a few easy question that might aid you , might even save you alot of money.......
1996 Accord has a 150k emissions extension which covers all emission related parts ie o2 sensors, converts, and the like .........YOUR MILEAGE?????
Only if your car is BRANDED (Salavage title) will this not apply...
Call your local Honda dealer and give them your VIN and "ask" them to check and see if your car applies...
Even if it is not covered It might be worth the $50 they'll charge you for you to order the right part the first time..
Hope this helps

odo53

Car has 185,000 miles and I am the 3rd owner, I'm sure there is no warranty of any kind left.

I have reset the ecm, we'll see what it complains about next. I think I may pull the plug on some other sensor and get a different trouble code on purpose just to see what the blinking light means.

woolydotmatrix

Good idea..

accord2nrz

the blinking means that something needs your attention ASAP its not something that can wait. can you find a local autozone to pull the code?

It has 2 oxygen sensors. most likely its the sensor circuit malfunction on the second one. I have the same code.

woolydotmatrix

Still waiting to see if the light doessomething other than stay solid???????