1st - 5th Generation Civic 1973 - 1995 In the years from 1973 to 1995 Honda released its 1-5th Generation Civics.
1st Gen 1972 - July 1979
2nd Gen 1979 - 1983
3rd Gen 1984 - 1987
4th Gen 1987 - 1991
5th Gen 1992 - 1995

How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

 
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Old 12-06-2011
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How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

can anyone please tell me how to locate and read check engine light code?
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Old 12-17-2011
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

92-95 Accord, Civic, Civic Del Sol and Prelude

Retrieving Codes

With ignition off, insert jumper wire in service check connector terminals, located behind right side of dash on Accord, Civic and Civic Del Sol and near center console on Prelude.
Turn ignition switch to ON position. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) will be indicated by a series of long and short flashes on MIL.
The number of long flashes indicates the number in the 10s column. The number of short flashes indicates the number in the 1s column. For example, 4 long flashes followed by 3 short flashes would indicate DTC 43.

http://www.troublecodes.net/honda/hondadtc.shtml

Link is the codes list. The jumper wire isnt anything special. Most of the guys i know and anyone on here whos not half dumb will use a paper clip.
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Old 12-17-2011
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

88 probably has an LED on top of the ECM that blinks out a 1 or 2 digit code when you turn the key on.
The CEL does not blink out the codes, the LED does.

Pull off the right door sill molding and small cover on the kick panel, then pull down the carpet from under the dash to see the ECM. Turn key on, count flashes.
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Old 12-17-2011
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

Oops. Didnt read the year haha.
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Old 01-03-2012
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

Pull up the carpet on passenger side footwell, turn key to on, count blinks of red light on ecu.
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Old 03-19-2012
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

Thank you for your reply, but I've been all around and back again with this thing and I can't find the ECU to save my life. I look on the right side under the carpet and zealtch. And now I'm having another issue, I'm not sure that it's related or what but after turning the car off after a long drive the car wont start til I allow it to sit for a few minutes. Does any one have a cure other than scrapping this gas saver. Please advise.
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Old 03-19-2012
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

Found the check engine lights but not sure what I'm reading the 1st set of lights was 16 and second 19, please advise.
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Old 03-19-2012
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

Originally Posted by lionel_lampkin
Thank you for your reply, but I've been all around and back again with this thing and I can't find the ECU to save my life. I look on the right side under the carpet and zealtch.
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Old 03-19-2012
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Re: How to Find the Check Engine Light Code on a 1988 Honda Civic

code 16- fuel injector(s): With the ignition OFF, check each injector for resistance. You should get 1.5-2.5 ohms.

EDIT: code 19 is the Automatic Transmission Lock Up Control Solenoid- still researching...

Last edited by lazlong; 03-19-2012 at 07:24 PM.
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