Do I need special equipment to read codes when the Check Engine light comes on? The Helms manual talks about hooking up Honda diagnostic tools.

I was pounding around Watkins Glen this weekend, and at close to 100mph in turn 5 the engine quickly cut out 3 times and the check engine light came on.

Afterwards, the engine has been running fine.

how much fuel was in the car?

paper clip/piece of wire will suffice

Just short the service connector near the ECU....

There was probably 1/4 tank of gas. Fuel light was not on. Would fuel starvation cause the CEL to come on?

I'll diagnose with a paper clip.

Thanks,

Most likely oil starvation, dropped out of VTEC.
Fuel starvation a close second.

time to overfill the oil and/or get a baffled pan.
turn 5, is that after the chicane? (on the back uphill straight)

Turn 5 is after the chicane - long, sweeping downhill right hander - lot's of Gs - 100 mph on the exit.

I didn't know oil starvation could cause this (certainly better than trashing the motor).

Here's some more info. I check the oil prior to each session. I'm used to going through a lot of oil at the track, but much to my surprise after three 45 minute track sessions the oil level was still at full. I didn't really think much about this at the time, although I should have.

Anyway, after the misfire and CEL coming on, I checked the oil and I was 1 full quart low. Maybe it was user error in reading the oil prior to that session.

misfire...??? where you sparks detonating??? as far as the vtec/oil assumption...it hasn't been very consistent with causing the CEL to come on -- hmmm, i'll get back to you if i find anything -- g'luck

I have seen/had this happen on 3 different Type-R's. Oil starvation will cause the car to throw the CEL and if it gets low enough it will go into limp mode.

check your oil.

Ahh,.. yes.
I'm fortunate enough to have spun in 10 (long course) w/o hitting that outside (actually inside) guardrail.

Sounds like something that happened to me on the highway, going home to change the oil. Also a little low.
Thought I broke my car! Also about 100 (and about to pass a conv. mustang), and I had just noticed the sustained G's (or part thereof). Dropped out of VTEC due to low oil pressure (i believe somewhere around 30-35 psi). Now I have a Mugen baffled pan, and always run Mobil 1 (might even upgrade oil soon).
Also the oil level does need to be checked regularly on a level area, either always right after you turn off the car (or always after waiting for it to cool off and drain from the head, it which case it will look like there is actually more oil in the pan).


[Modified by Zygspeed, 8:17 AM 5/15/2002]

Heres an informative article that explains it all: http://www.team-integra.net/sections...p?ArticleID=34

Good luck,

A.