How to Read Codes From Your Check Engine Light (For older cars)

Step 3 Watch the Flashing Light and Decipher the Code

With the wire in place, put the key in the ignition and put the car into the "run" position. That's two clicks for Honda users.

Wait a second and keep your eye on the check engine light. You should see it start to light up in a series of flashes.

The light is blinking in a simple code of long and short. Long blinks mean "10" and short blinks mean "1".

My light was blinking once for a long time, and then twice for a short time. 10, 1 and 1 is error code 12. Code 12 indicates a problem with my EGR system. This is the system that sends some of the engine's exhaust into the cylinder to cool the combustion process and keep temps in the cylinders down. Having a broken EGR is relatively common on a high mileage car (I have 180,000 miles on mine) and it's a pretty easy fix. I was worried that I might have to pull over to the side of the road when I saw the light or get it to a mechanic ASAP, but now I know that it's not life threatening to the car and that it's OK if I get it looked at the next time I am at my mechanic.

You can find a list of error codes for the make and model of your car online by doing a simple search. The ones for Honda are included below.

Honda Check Engine Light Error Codes

0 ECU
1 Oxygen Sensor
3 Map Sensor
5 Map Sensor
6 Crank Angle
7 Throttle Angle
8 TDC Position
9 No. 1 Cylinder Position
10 Intake Air Temperature
12 Exhaust Gas Reiculation (EGR) System
13 Atmospheric Pressure
14 Electronic Air Control
15 Ignition Output Signal
16 Fuel Injector
17 Vehicle Speed Sensor
20 Electronic Load Detector
22 Vtec System Malfunction
23 Knock Sensor
41 o2 Sensor
43 Fuel Supply System
45 System Too Rich or Too Lean
48 Primary Heated o2 Sensor
54 Crankshaft Speed Fluctuation Sensor
61 Primary o2 Sensor Circuit
63 Secondary o2 Sensor Circuit
67 Catalyst Sytem
70 Automatic Transaxle
71-74 Random Misfire
80 Exhaust Gas Recirculation
86 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit
90 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected
91 Fuel Tank Pressure Circuit
92 Evaporative Emission Control System Insufficient

Comments

[Adeyemi]

How can i get computer that can use to diagnostic automobile fault on cars ( fault reader).

[Derin]

replacement for a newer car of the same make/model e/x:Transporter 1992 to Transporter 2000

[Derin]

That may or may not work though.

[theonlycoolone]

thank you very much for writing this!!!!. I have a 95 accord and this tutorial made it a breeze to check for my "check engine" light. I got code 17 (VSS) is the sensor that the speedometer uses to calculate speed. which isnt life threatening either, but it is something I was already planning on replacing because it only works when it wants to. I have one question though, during the test, my D4 light was blinking (short, 4 times) is this a different code? or is this part of the test? I see on your picture that your d4 light is on, was yours blinking too? Thanks for the help in advance!

[Derin]

my uncle's speedometer also does the "I will only work when i want to" thing but driving on rugged terrain mostly fixes it since the wire shakes in place