Rep Power: 0

so my check engine light has been coming on and turning off again now and then for a while. i havent noticed any problems with the car. no noises, no gas mileage changes...performance is the same as always. so im really not sure if i should be worried. i dont have much spare cash right now so i didnt want to have to bring it to a shop to find out it was nothing, or a fix i coulda put off. but at the same time i dont want to neglect problems that could just get more dramatic and expensive as time goes on.

i also had my maintenance requiered light come on last week, and checked the manual to see what it said, just to read its the dealerships way of calling me back. ive also got a friend with a civic who has had the light on for the last 3 years because he's never brought it to a honda dealership.

if anyone could tell me if these are things im being a dumbass for ignoring, id really appreciate it.

 
Rep Power: 0

u can turn off the maint req light urself. but u should at least do the maintenance checks...

when does the CEL come on? on startup? while driving? etc...
only way to really kno is to hook it up to the thing that reads it...

 
Rep Power: 0

there doesnt seem to be a pattern for when it comes on and goes off. it first came on, and i planned to bring it in, then it turned off after about 2 days, and was gone for about a week. then back on for about a week, then off for a few days, then on again for about a week or two now. i noticed it shortly after i started driving. but it im not 100% sure when it turns off or on. i never watch it turn off or on.

the maintenance light flashes for about 5 seconds when i start the car, then turns off.

 
Rep Power: 270

hrmm i had almost similar problem where the cel would come on for a couple days then turn off for a whole week then comes bak on. i found out it was my o2 sensor shorting out cause they were used on a turbo'd car. you can always find out wat the cel is at like autozone.

 
Rep Power: 811

or buy an ebay code scanner for $30 and check it yourself whenever the light comes on.

 
Rep Power: 0

^saw one in walmart the other day...i was kinda surprised.

 
Rep Power: 0

i thought code scanners went for $100+
are there any issues with the $30 line ups? misread codes, finicky for one reason or another.... that kinda thing.

 
Rep Power: 0

I don't remember exactly the procedure to turn off the maintenance light, but its some like this: (on a 01 civic LX and 02 accord V6)

Turn the key to "I" position (accesories), then press the button wich is used delete the trip milage and keep it pressed. Then turn the key to II position (ON); keep the button pressed until the light stop flashing.

This procedure should turn off the maintenance light. If not, try it some times or try it pressing that button with the key on OFF position then turn to ON (II) position.

If anyone know exactly how to do it make the correction.

 
Rep Power: 811

nothing wrong with the cheap ones. it plugs in and reads the code. you can even reset it.

 
Rep Power: 0

awesome.

my engine light went away again today. dunno whats up with it. i'll check out those code readers though.

 
Rep Power: 452

just go to autozone and have them read it for free. If you are low on money, that would be the way to go. The get back to us and let us know what the code is. There are so many codes for different problems on the car, and not every problem will be something noticable. Most people feel that as long as the car still drives like normal, they dont worry about it.

As for the maintenence required light, search, it has been covered.

 
Rep Power: 0

i remember when mine went on.....then my tranny started to slip. yay for 7th gen civic tranny! made of plastic!