2004 Honda Accord check engine light

[sharansr]

Hi all,

I drive a 2004 Honda Accord with roughly 87,000 miles on it. About 2 weeks ago, I got an oil change for the car and it has been running smoothly.

Today I noticed that the 'check engine' light turned on in my car. My closest guess is that the mechanic did not reset the light once he did the oil change.

I wanted to clarify whether the 2004 Honda Accord has a seperate light for oil, or does the 'check engine' light turn on even when an oil change is required? Kindly help.

Thanks

[redbull-1]

It's a Malfunction Indicator Lamp. It's explained in the owner's manual. Check the fuel cap first.

[sharansr]

Thanks for the reply.

I checked the fuel cap and it was tightly secured.

I remember I had this light come up after my oil change once before too, and the mechanic just followed a simple procedure to turn the light off. However I am concerned whether its indicating for an oil change or for an actual engine malfunction.

Is the 'oil change' lamp different than 'malfunction indicator' lamp?

[redbull-1]

The oil change lamp is different. The malfunction indicator lamp should not have come on after an oil change, as it shouldn't affect it.

If it is the gas cap, the owner's manual states it may take 3 days for it to go out.

An OBD-II scan tool will read if there are any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). A mechanic can read if there are any DTCs (but they usually charge). Autozone usually will not charge you to do a free read for codes.

If you get any codes, please post them on this forum and someone may help you. Also state whether your Accord is 4 cylinder or V6, when you repost.

[sharansr]

So i went to autozone and got a diagnostics done. The code I got was 'p0141'. its for oxygen sensor, bank 1 sensor 2 (sensor after the catalytic converter'.

But the funny part is, now my 'check engine' lamp is off. how important is it to replace this part and what happens if i drive around without replacing immidiately?

[redbull-1]

You can keep driving. If it comes back, then check the wiring and connector; if wiring okay then replace the sensor. You have what is called an "intermittent failure", which means a system may have had a failure, but it checks OK now.

Normally, the Malfunction Indicator Light comes on if the problem is detected during two consecutive drive cycles, and may go off if the problem for the sensor isn't continuously being detected in several more drive cycles.

[redbull-1]

Info:
Your car has an Air Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor in the exhaust manifold (before cat) and sends signals to the ECM/PCM (car's computer) which varies the duration of fuel injection accordingly. Note: This was not the sensor for your trouble code, it is included to give you a better understanding of the system.

The secondary heated oxygen sensor (secondary HO2S) (one after the cat) detects the oxygen content in the exhaust gas downstream of the warm up catalytic converter and sends signals to the ECM/PCM which varies the duration of the fuel injection accordingly. The ECM/PCM compares the secondary heated oxygen sensor output with the A/F sensor output to determined cat efficiency. (This was the sensor for your trouble code.)

Recommendation:
Generally in most cars, the secondary heated oxygen sensor is used to determine the catalytic converter efficiency (to tell if cat is still good or bad). On most cars, the secondary oxygen sensor won't affect drivability. However, since Honda's service manual also states that the secondary HO2S sends signals to the ECM/PCM which varies the duration of the fuel injection accordingly, I would recommend that if this code ever did come back, to replace it when you have a chance, it doesn't have to be immediately; but, to check it and possibly replace it.

[HondaFan6975]

I'd suggest you run a complete fuel system cleaner like "guaranteed to pass" (emissions) fuel cleaner especially with your mileage.

[SpartanMBR]

I have a 2006 Honda Accord Type-S with approx 118 000miles.

My Engine Light LED was due to a faulty "A-B Correlation Sensor". It sits in the top right corner of the engine and is a small black box. This sensor, to what I understand, is equivelant to a fuel sensor / regulator.
Once they replaced it the light remained off. Pre-changing the sensor I tried all the advice on the net (fuel cap, disconnect battery etc) but none of this helped as the LED came back everytime.

I took it to a Honda agent, and the workshopmanager almost immediately identified the problem without connecting the computer. He obviously confirmed his diagnosis with the computer.
Symptoms where the car loosing power, almost going into a sort of limp mode. According to the Honda agents this is to be expected with such a faulty unit, and this is really about the only problems these engines have.

I paid approx ZAR 2000.00 for the part and had to be imported from Japan. It took approx. 2 weeks to ship.

[J_DC5]

You most likly need the sensor replaced they are known to go bad i am assuming its a 4cyl its the second sensor in the cat and it plugs under the passenger seat . You need to unbolt the seat to get to the plug .

[KWayRacing]

Yes the sensor is not uncommon to fail in 03-07 Accords. The light will come on again. It is at this point an intermittent failure. While it is possible that something besides the sensor could be the problem, the most likely failure is the sensor itself. It is fairly cheap and easy to replace if you can. Search around and there is plenty of info on P0141. Here is an older thread that might be helpful http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2819404

[Targa250R]

Originally Posted by SpartanMBR

I have a 2006 Honda Accord Type-S with approx 118 000miles.

My Engine Light LED was due to a faulty "A-B Correlation Sensor". It sits in the top right corner of the engine and is a small black box. This sensor, to what I understand, is equivelant to a fuel sensor / regulator.
Once they replaced it the light remained off. Pre-changing the sensor I tried all the advice on the net (fuel cap, disconnect battery etc) but none of this helped as the LED came back everytime.

I took it to a Honda agent, and the workshopmanager almost immediately identified the problem without connecting the computer. He obviously confirmed his diagnosis with the computer.
Symptoms where the car loosing power, almost going into a sort of limp mode. According to the Honda agents this is to be expected with such a faulty unit, and this is really about the only problems these engines have.

I paid approx ZAR 2000.00 for the part and had to be imported from Japan. It took approx. 2 weeks to ship.

That sounds like the accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor for the drive-by-wire throttle. I've seen a few of those failing on TL and TSX models (your Accord Type-S is a rough equivalent to the Acura TSX here in the US).

[SpartanMBR]

Originally Posted by Targa250R

That sounds like the accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor for the drive-by-wire throttle. I've seen a few of those failing on TL and TSX models (your Accord Type-S is a rough equivalent to the Acura TSX here in the US).

100% correct. Seems the invoice had a misprint, it is the APP sensor.

A question - my Accord is in very good condition mileage being just over 200000km's or 125000 miles. I cannot decide whether to keep the vehicle or sell it.