1999 LX, 4-cylinder, about 92,000 miles (VTEC engine)

Is there a way to check the code on this by myself? Someplace to put a "key" and count the number of flashing lights? If so, how is this done and where can I see what the codes mean?

It may have something to do with the electrical system - my battery is the original battery (a little over nine years old) and I had to jump it this morning. About thirty miles down the road is when the CEL went on - the first time this light has ever come on. Don't know if the two are related or not. Car seems to be running fine.

On a related topic, I know that this battery needs to be replaced, any suggestions on what to get? Or would it be best to just go to Autozone, have them read / define the code, then tell them that I need a new battery and see what they hand me?

Thanks!

 

I would just go to Autozone and hook up the reader. I think you can still do it, by doing the jumper way. The plug is near the glove compartment. I don't have an exact idea of how to do this. I'm sure someone else will reply.

9 years for a battery is long. Just get a new one.

 

Well, I took it to Autozone that night, the code was P0420 which is something to do with the oxygen sensor on, or behind, the catalyitc converter. I also bought a new battery and the check engine light turned itself off and hasn't come back on.

One of these days I would like to know how to read and translate the codes on this car - I plan on keeping it for a long time and I'm going to need to read codes off of it at some point in the future.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Heat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well, I took it to Autozone that night, the code was P0420 which is something to do with the oxygen sensor on, or behind, the catalyitc converter. I also bought a new battery and the check engine light turned itself off and hasn't come back on.

One of these days I would like to know how to read and translate the codes on this car - I plan on keeping it for a long time and I'm going to need to read codes off of it at some point in the future.</TD></TR></TABLE>
all you have to do is buy a code reader (not necessarily a scan tool, though it would be much better if you did) and extract the code. since you get the code, Google "Honda obd2 codes", and then compare

 

http://mysite.verizon.net/restra0u/check_eng.html

this gets you the 2 digit code, but not the 4 digit code. most of the time thats enough.


I keep a U-bent paperclip in my car and marked the service conncetor with a sharpie. no need to look it up or search for a tool.

and Heat, only 92k on that 99? wow! you must be able to walk to work or something. I've got almost 240k on my 99. Just shocked to see such low mileage. as for the battery. I reccomend the Hawker odyssey. All the advantages of the optima battterys that a lot of the car audio guys like , but it's smaller and lighter. and less expensive.