checking cel for a soft code
 

If i hit vtec when my car is very cold i get a cel....but when i turn my car off and turn it back on i don't get the cel, which means its a soft code right?

So when i do throw a cel, if i shut my car off and just turn the ignition on to jump the connector will the check engine light show it?


sorry if this sounds confusing...thanks

Re: checking cel for a soft code (92civeg)
 

ttt

If I'm not mistaken, the ECU shouldn't save the CEL code thrown. After doing my b18c1 swap I hadn't wired the knock sensor yet and once in a while it would go off after 4k. But knock sensors don't detect anything after 4k anyways.

Re: (eyeamvic)
 

i though it might have been my knock sensor but if it was throwing a cel for my knock sensor it would go into limp mode wouldn't it?

Re: (92civeg)
 

you shouldnt be 'hitting vtec' when your car is cold anyways, its not too great for your motor

Re: (B16OnTop)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B16OnTop &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you shouldnt be 'hitting vtec' when your car is cold anyways, its not too great for your motor</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea i know but i had to get through the yellow light before i got "hit" https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emwink.gif

Re: (92civeg)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92civeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yea i know but i had to get through the yellow light before i got "hit" https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emwink.gif </TD></TR></TABLE>

oh geez https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Re: checking cel for a soft code (92civeg)
 

OBD1 ECU's will store a code when the CEL comes on, but when you cycle the key, the CEL goes off until the fault is detected again. OBD2 ECU's will store a code and keep the CEL on until the code is cleared.

Re: checking cel for a soft code (b19coupe)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b19coupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OBD1 ECU's will store a code when the CEL comes on, but when you cycle the key, the CEL goes off until the fault is detected again. OBD2 ECU's will store a code and keep the CEL on until the code is cleared.</TD></TR></TABLE>


so basically you can never know what a soft code is with a obd1 ecu??

Re: checking cel for a soft code (92civeg)
 

Basically-OBD1 ECU's do not differentiate between soft and hard codes. They store the code, and if the fault occurs again, they will trip the CEL again.

Re: checking cel for a soft code (b19coupe)
 

well its only considered to be a soft code if the CEL comes on while driving and then when u shut the car off and start it back up it doesn't come on.....correct?

Re: checking cel for a soft code (92civeg)
 

My understanding is that a soft code is one that the ECU sees, but does not necessarily turn on the CEL. A lot of OBD2 codes are two trip codes. The ECU does not turn on the CEL unless it sees the same fault in two consecutive driving cycles, but it does store a trouble code. The best thing to do is pull the code and see what the potential problem is.

Re: checking cel for a soft code (b19coupe)
 

the day before i got the cel i changed the coolant hose that connects the iacv to underneath the throttle body, and ever since i got that cel Ive had an erratic idle?? i bleed the coolant after i changed the hose and everything was fine for a day and the i got the cel and the erratic idle, anyone know why?..should i reset my ecu and see if that does anything to help?

thanks

Re: checking cel for a soft code (92civeg)
 

ttt

Re: checking cel for a soft code (92civeg)
 

anyone?