Rep Power: 0

Hello, 2001 civic dx and when i turn the key to the on position, the check engine light flashes 5 times and then goes away. Any idea?

 
Rep Power: 812

i've never known it to flash before. but if it goes away, then its okay? you've never seen it flash before?

well the manual says its either supposed to stay on or off. if it works intermittently, it has 10 pages of fuses and wires to check for connection. why dont you try unplugging the IAT sensor and see if the light stays on. then at least you know it works right.

 
Rep Power: 424

The CEL or the "Pay Honda" light?
The CEL comes on and stays on until you clear it. The other one flashes.

 
Rep Power: 812

ya thats what i thought at first, but he clearly says check engine light so idk

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes the check engine light flashes 5 times when you turn the key to the on position and then it turns off. It has to do with the emission system. I found out. It is called readiness codes. If you have a honda service manuel it is on page 11-29. The readiness codes is part of the onboard diagnostics for the emissions systems. If the vehicles battery has gone dead or has been disconnected if the dtc's have been cleared , or if the ecm/pcm has been reset , these codes are reset. If the MIL blinks several times , one or more readiness codes are not set to complete. To set each code , drive the vehicle or run the engine as described in the procdeures to set them in the section.
Im glade i bought this book. =)
Thanks for your help though, but i figured it out.
Jeff