Malfunction Indicator Light - Honda Civic 2001

The malfunction indicator light (check engine) came on light night on our 2001 Honda Civic. The car has been maintained perfectly and is only driven on the weekend and some evenings. We use the GO train for work.

I checked the manual already and it says that it could be something wrong with the emissions system. But it also says that it could just be the fuel cap being loose and after tightening it and making a trip it would go off if that were the cause.

I called the dealership and they want $89.99 per hour to check it!!!

Is there any way I can check it myself to diagnose the problem? I am mechanically able and usually do all my own work on the car. It's just that with the computer issues and light's I can't diagnose it.

What are my options? I will try tightening the fuel cap and see if that resolves the issue.

Thanks!

Pretty much any mechanic can scan your civic. Only advantage of going to the dealer is that if it's an emissions component, it's probably still under warranty. As you say, it can be a multitude of things triggering the CEL.

I used to own a 2002 Civic, and most of the CEL (check engine light) problems suffered by most people were due to loose fuel caps. Check 7thgencivic.com, and search in their forum under "CEL" or "check engine light" for common causes behind CEL problems.

Originally Posted by careener

Pretty much any mechanic can scan your civic. Only advantage of going to the dealer is that if it's an emissions component, it's probably still under warranty. As you say, it can be a multitude of things triggering the CEL.

Is there a special tool required?

Originally Posted by Shaf

Is there a special tool required.

A special computer. If it is still under warranty, how can they charge you $90?
That is a rip off just like any Honda dealer I deal with before.

Most of use invest in some sort of code reading device eventually. There's plenty of web information that will tell you what the code for this or that. I've noticed that almost all garages charge a minimum $ for a computer hook-up (I guess they have to pay their equipment off) but they should be able to pin the problem down quickly (in most cases) and save you that amount over the whole job.

Gone are the days when the garage mechanic would say, no problem it's a slight adjustment.. no charge.

The part might be under warranty..doesn't mean the scan is..
How's this, go to a local garage with a scanner ..should be like $60. If it's a warranty part, go with that info to the dealer.

Originally Posted by ah802

Most of use invest in some sort of code reading device eventually. There's plenty of web information that will tell you what the code for this or that. I've noticed that almost all garages charge a minimum $ for a computer hook-up (I guess they have to pay their equipment off) but they should be able to pin the problem down quickly (in most cases) and save you that amount over the whole job.

Gone are the days when the garage mechanic would say, no problem it's a slight adjustment.. no charge.

There's no warranty left on the car. Can you please direct me to some code reading tools that I can buy? Or websites to read up on?

Originally Posted by careener

The part might be under warranty..doesn't mean the scan is..
How's this, go to a local garage with a scanner ..should be like $60. If it's a warranty part, go with that info to the dealer.

If it is under warranty, parts and labour are covered. It is up to the dealer to figure out where the problem is. If they need to scan it, that's their choice of method. Will they charge you 3 hours of diagnositic job so that they find out an under-warranty part? I don't think so.

CT has quoted $49.99 for the computer hookup. Should I take it to them?

Originally Posted by Shaf

CT has quoted $49.99 for the computer hookup. Should I take it to them?

Have you made sure the gas cap is not loose?

Originally Posted by gman

Have you made sure the gas cap is not loose?

Will be doing that tonight. But, I had filled up two weeks ago, so I don't think that's the issue.

Originally Posted by Shaf

Will be doing that tonight. But, I had filled up two weeks ago, so I don't think that's the issue.

tighten the cap, and then drive around a bit and see if the light goes away. if you really do drive the car lightly, then you likely won't make the problem any worse.

Originally Posted by Shaf

Will be doing that tonight. But, I had filled up two weeks ago, so I don't think that's the issue.

It takes time for the tank to lose enough pressure for the sensor to detect it. It also takes time to get enough pressure to unset the light after you tight the cap. Since you drive in weekend only, you did not touch your car for a while after the fill up 2 weeks ago.

Is the gas cap too TIGHT?

When I bought my 2004 civic the dealer warned me about it. You can't have it too tight or the warning light will go on (common complaint he gets, so that's why he warned me). He never said anything about being too loose.