i dont really understand what a code is and how do you know what it is . I hear all this talk about ecu's throwing codes and I dont know what they mean. hopefully you guys can help me out. Is there a website to know all this code stuff.

 

There's a 'service connector' plug somewhere. On my '95 Integra it's stuffed up alongside the right side of the glovebox. You short it with a paper clip, then turn on the ignition, don't start the engine. The check-engine light will blink out the code. Long flash = 10, short = 1, long pause between means a whole new error code. So... long - short - short - short - short - long pause - long - long - long pause - repeat... would be code 14 and code 20.

Some older cars just have an LED on the ECU itself, you just fold back the carpeting & watch it blink. Newer OBD2 cars have a connection so some guy at AutoZoned can plug in a reader...

PS. the Helm repair manual tells you ALL the details for your year of car.