I was driving my mom Accord EX and the check engine light came on.
Before the light came on i noticed a rattling coming from the underside of the car towards the center near the cat.
could it be something like the heat shield rattling?
also could it be because of a hole in the exhaust?

(its the 4 cylinder vtec ULEV engine)
Changed oil a few days ago when it came on

 

If the hole is before the converter it could be because of that.
Those engines are notorious for burning oil and throwing VTEC codes when the level gets too low. Take it by auto zone or somewhere that reads codes for free and see what it is. Make sure to write the code down exactly as it is on the tester.

 

You need to know what the code is.

Here's a thread on reading the codes and what they mean, unfortunately the pictures in it which show where to put the paperclip are no longer good:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1490107

 

ok well i will take this afternoon if i get a chance and have it checked

 

Could be both: The reason I said that is two years ago I had a hole on the top of my muffler(replaced with a Bosal), and now my Lower Catalytic Converter heat shield is rattling because one of the corners is corroded. I am getting it installed this weekend (Part Number 18181-PAA-AOO).

However, I don't have a CEL. When was the last time you filled up? It could be you didn't tighten your gas cap tight enough, but as someone stated earlier, I would get the codes read at Autozone

 

ill check the gas cap this after noon and im taking it friday to autozone (ill have gas friday)

 

if its a p0420 ur screwed like me LOL

by the way autozone no longer has lender OBDII scanners ...

 

well then i guess im [freak]ed?

 

well you can take it to a mechanic or dealer to have it scanned ... i dont know how much they charge or if they charge at all ...

 

Auto zone still does it and it said some thing electronic was wron with it and so well just drive it and if it dies well repair it thanx for the gelp guys

 

really? they dont do it in california anymore ...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Katman666 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Auto zone still does it and it said some thing electronic was wron with it and so well just drive it and if it dies well repair it thanx for the gelp guys</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well that made sense and was descriptive?

What was wrong electronically? And if what dies? Why not just fix the part now?

 

^^ i agree ... so has the CEL came back on?