Check engine light in my new VX.. Help!

[dylanu]

Hey fellow gassavers. I have just recently acquired an unmodified VX hatchback with 140k miles. At cold start- it runs and drives fine, and the upshift light comes on at the proper rpms. After about 4-5 mins of driving (conservatively or not) there is one slight hesitation, then the CEL comes on. I'm not sure if that hesitation is the trigger for lean burn trying to engage, and then failing. After that the CEL stays on the whole time, and the upshift light stops coming on. There are no further hesitations, and I'm pretty sure I haven't felt lean burn engage after that. I took it to my Honda specialist and when they check for the CEL code, they said it is only pulling a temporary code- not a hard code with a number. Can someone please help me out?

[add|ct]

^ You can check, 'pull', the code yourself.

Next time the code comes on, you have to short the TWO-PIN(read: two wire) connector from the free/loose cable that hangs down(you can pull it some for more access) at the ECU location. That is the test port.

It sounds like it is your LAF sensor(02 sensor), but pull the code to verify.

The test location should be easily accessible via the passenger side near the door/glovebox, near the foot location just past the door hinge(inside the vehicle). Reach underneath the paneling and feel for the two wire that should freely come down.

With the engine off you 'short' these two wires at the connector. You simply put something like a paper click(whatever is 1 piece of metal wire) and plug into each of the 2 ports.

Leave those pins shorted and turn the key to the FORWARD position (do not start the car). Then, you observe the CEL for blinks. Long blinks = tens(2 blinks = 20 for example), then short blinks = single digits(so 2 long + 3 short blinks would mean code 23).

Post which code it is. The LAF will be:

4 long blinks followed by 8 short blinks.

Turn the key OFF and remove the short, then post the code here.

If no code, you can regenerate the 48 code(if it was cleared by the 'honda' guy) by driving in 3rd dear at keeping RPMs @ 1,500 exactly and the CEL will come on OR not IF you are at full temp, etc.

[hondaguy72]

I'm with him ^

[dylanu]

I tried this method. When I plug the jumper in, the CEL stays solid. I have to drive the car for a couple of seconds before the CEL comes on. If I turn the ignition off... the light goes away until I drive it again for a couple of seconds. What do you guys think it could be?

[add|ct]

The CEL codes are supposed to flash with the Key 'forward' but the engine not cranked/running.

Just trying to be clear?

If you start the vehicle with the pins plugged, it will stay bright and no codes will flash.