After 19,000 threads about how to do this, I decided there was a need for one of these. I thought there was one.. but I dunno. Motion to sticky ... mods if you wanna change the thread title to "how to .... " that would be kew.. i forgot to add that.

1. If your check engine light is on, start by going to your passenger side kickpanel.
There should be a blue connector w/2 wires to it like the one pictured below.


Put a paper clip, wire, connector in it to connect the two prongs.

2. Put the key in the ignition, and turn the key 2 clicks to the acc on, where all the lights light up on the dash.

3. You will now watch how many times the CEL light blinks.

a long blink = 10
a short blink = 1
It will repeat after all the codes are done.

4. Compare to this list to see what the problem is:

1 O2A - Oxygen sensor #1
2 O2B - Oxygen sensor #2
3 MAP - manifold absolute pressure sensor
4 CKP - crank position sensor
5 MAP - manifold absolute pressure sensor
6 ECT - water temperature sensor
7 TPS - throttle position sensor
8 TDC - top dead centre sensor
9 CYP - cylinder sensor
10 IAT - intake air temperature sensor
12 EGR - exhaust gas recirculation lift valve
13 BARO - atmospheric pressure sensor
14 IAC (EACV) - idle air control valve
15 Ignition output signal
16 Fuel injectors
17 VSS - speed sensor
19 Automatic transmission lockup control valve
20 Electrical load detector
21 VTEC spool solenoid valve
22 VTEC pressure valve
23 Knock sensor
30 Automatic transmission A signal
31 Automatic transmission B signal
36 traction control found on JDM ecu's
41 Primary oxygen sensor heater
43 Fuel supply system
45 Fuel system too rich or lean
48 LAF - lean air fuel sensor
54 CKF - crank fluctuation sensor
58 TDC sensor #2
61 Primary oxygen sensor
63 Secondary oxygen sensor
65 Secondary oxygen sensor heater
71 random misfire cylinder 1
72 random misfire cylinder 2
73 random misfire cylinder 3
74 random misfire cylinder 4
80 Exhaust Gas Recirculation insufficient flow detected
86 ECT Sensor (Engine Coolant Temperature) circuit range / performance problem
90 Evaporative Emission Control System leak detected in the fuel tank area
91 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor low input
92 Evaporative Emission Control System insufficient purge flow

TCU Codes:

CODE LIST:

1-Lock-up solenoid 'A' circuit open or shorted.
2-Lock-up solenoid 'B' circuit open or shorted.
3-Throttle Position Sensor circuit open or shorted.
4-Vehicle Speed Sensor open or shorted - No signal from speedometer.
5-Shift Lever Position Switch circuit shorted.
6-Shift Lever Position Switch circuit open.
7-Shift Solenoid 'A' circuit open or shorted.
8-Shift Solenoid 'B' circuit open or shorted.
9-Counter shaft or transmission speed pulse generator open or shorted.
10-Coolant Temperature Sensor open or shorted.
11-Engine RPM (Ignition coil signal) open or shorted.
12-(No code 12 used)
13-Main shaft speed pulse generator open or shorted.
14-Linear (line pressure control) solenoid open or shorted.
15-Kick down switch circuit shorted.

Resetting ECU

1. Disconnect Negative battery terminal (never only take off the positive, cuz it can kill the battery when it grounds all the power out, if left for a while)

2. Look in the Underhood fuse box, find the "Hazard" Fuse. Pull it out.

3. Let the car sit for 10-15 minutes

4. Reattach neg battery terminal and put fuse back in

5. Restart car w/nothing on (radio, lights, a/c) and just let it run for a few minutes.

6. Turn off, and then it should be good to go.

 

where can i find that plug on a 90 ls
cuz i cant find it

 

more then likely its hidden behind the kick panel on your passenger side... im not 100% on this but just look for the spare plug with 2 wires

 

I can't count the times that I have posted this exact information for the 5th gen (94-97) and none have ever been added to the FAQ. Maybe I should take my time and make a DIY 5th gen diagnostic trouble code retrieval as well.

 

90 accord does not have a plug. There is a flashing led inside the ECU. There is a clear button on the case of the ECU, so you can see the flashes.

 

umm.... the plug is there.... i've seen it personally on a few 90 accords

 

I referenced the shop manual. The 91-93 codes are accessed using the 2-pin connector. The 90 codes are accessed by counting the flashes on the ECU. Maybe there are some mid-year production change half breeds out there. ?? I like the list you made. I printed a copy. Its on my tool box right now!

 

ok i found it thanks
and i was talkin about a 90 acura ls not an accord

 

Isn't it e-z'er to stop in at Autozone and let them run your codes for free?

 

 

autozone doesn't run obd1 CEL's....... they only do it for free for cars 10 years and younger....

 

Your Autozone SUCKS! I had mine checked Friday ('97)

 

lol ok so i found it
but after messing around wit the battery the check engine light is gone :D

 

If you disconnected the battery for 10-20 seconds that will reset the ECU and clear any stored codes. That is what is known as the ECU reset procedure, disconnect 12v power to the ECU for 10-20 seconds. Usually one would pull the back-up fuse, but disconnecting the battery also works.

If your CEL comes back on in a few hrs or days do the paperclip procedure as indicated above and see whats up.

Cheers

 

well its been a while since i did it and it hasnt poped back on so its koo

 

Ok I know its been two years but can't start a thread yet,so....
92 accord cel is on but when I jump the cables no codes are given.neither the cel nor the d4 light blinks.
Any suggestions?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the '97 is OBD2, right?

 

Yes 97 is obd2

 

as for the 1990, i have the connector, looks like someone hooked up a switch to it at some point in time though..



what is a solid CEL with the wires connected? ECU shot?

 

A solid CEL, with the SCS connector shorted, means that there are no diagnostic trouble codes stored on your ECU.

 

damn, my engine doesnt agree with the no codes on the ecu

 

A poor running engine won't always throw a code. For example; a vacuum leak causing a surging idle, won't throw any codes. A clogged catalytic converter causing lack of power, will not throw a code..etc..etc..etc.

 

my 92 accord keeps throwing code 9 cylinder sensor
anyone have any ideas?

 

I shouldn't.....oh what the heck.

Test it, if bad replace. If good, check wires. Service manual will walk you through all of this.

 

I'm having a hard time figuring out if the code I'm getting on my '93 Accord EX is 2 codes (a 10, then a 7) or just a 17. How long of a pause should there be between blinks?