I have a '00 GSR with 31k miles. Just had my oil changed 1k miles ago. Was driving to work today. I was listening to the radio and I remember haering a slight tink as I had hit a small rock or something which hit my wheel well or something. I remember looking back in the rear view and seeing noting large or obvious and there were no other cars around. Shortly after I noticed my check engine light was on.

I pulled off an exit and checked everything out. There was no visable damage under the car, nothing leaking etc. Inspected the engine and that seemed normal. Turned off the engine and back on, Check Engine light remained on.

I limped the last 2 miles to work. I waited for the engine to cool down a bit then checked the oil. It was fine. Full and still golden brown. Like I said the it wasnt the oil light or anything. I started it back up and still the Engine light came on. I even reset the ECU thinking maybe it was something stupid. No change.

I checked all fluids, everything seems full or adequate. When driving the temp gauge wasnt any higher than normal. My engine didnt sound any different after that point. My exhaust even smells the same.

WTF? Maybe the noise I heard was coincidental. What exactly causes the check engine light to come on?

 

ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING can cause your check engine light to come on. The only way to tell what it is, is to pull the code. You can either take it to a Honda dealer, or you can do it yourself. If you need help on pulling the code, and what the code means, let us know. I am sure plenty of us here can tell you what to do.

 

Stupid Honda!!

I got an apt at the acura dealership tomarrow morning.
Should be under warranty. Thanks for the help.

 

You're going to have to pull the code to see what sensor(s) set off the CEL. In fact, I have to do it today... I was given this website by another helpful individual last week that explains how to download the codes and interpret what they mean...
http://www.eastcoastdelsol.com/columns/view.php?id=9

 

great site dunreit.

i dont know if these older codes aply to my car but my light comes on full, off then remains on.

Got me thinking, perhaps its my CAI. The filter has never been cleaned, went through a winter and 20k miles. How often are you supposed to clean those K&Ns?
Somthing like that I want to fix myself cuz the dealership would charge me since its aftermarket.

 

Pull down the passenger side carpet and look at the red led light on the ecu ......when u first turn on the ignition .it should blink once .....then if there are any codes they will follow count the times the light flashes ....there will be a pause after every code ...for example code 2,and 4 would be (flash,flash,pause,flash.flash,flash,flash ...........if there are any codes reset the ecu by taking out the hazard fuse and then putting it back in .....the start the car and wait to see if the codes resurface or not if they do check the numbers and go from there .....hope this helps you out

 

Does anyone know if I will be able to pull the codes for the CEL if the CEL isn't on? Mine will only sporadically come on, whereby I restart the car and the CEL disappears. I know the ECU will store all CEL codes for up to 50 starts, but by "jumping" the CEL, will the code be displayed (in flashes)?

 

Ok so I pulled the code last night. 9 Long flashes = 90. which translates into "Evaporative Emission Control System leak detected in the fuel tank area." That sorta sounded like that loose fuel cap problem, which is known to be a very common cause of the CEL. Yesterday morning before the CEL came on, I had gotten gas. SO I checked the cap and sure enough it was loose. So I tightened it, still the CEL was on. The owners manual said it may take up to "3 drives" for teh CEL to go away, so I assumed this meant fuel consumption. So I did the next best thing and went and filled up. I tighten the cap but still the CEL was on. So at this point I was convinced it couldnt be as simple as the stupid loose gas cap thing.

So I took it in to Acura this morning, They pulled the code and told me it was in fact the loose gas cap problem. The reason it doesnt go awy is that the ECU has to be cleared - not just reset by the button as I had done. What a gay reason for the CEL to come on.