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How to read check engine light error on 1991 Civic

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  #1  
Old 04-14-2010, 08:03 AM
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Default How to read check engine light error on 1991 Civic

Can you point me to the post/thread with the instruction to retrieve the error code on a 1991 Civic, 1.5L engine.

The engine check light came on intermittently on my Civic for about a month now. The gas mileage has dropped to 30mpg from 34mpg. I couldn't tell the difference in performance at all. The gas mileage difference and the check light are the only evidences that something is not going right. Where do I begin? What should I look for?

Thank you in advance.
 
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Old 04-14-2010, 05:44 PM
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Old 04-14-2010, 06:12 PM
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Thank you very much RonJ. I will check it out.
 
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Old 04-15-2010, 09:16 AM
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I just read the error code. Luckily it's only a single error, according to the above table posted by RonJ, it is:

Code 1: Oxygen content (with CATA), page 6-154.

Where can I find page 6-154 (and 6-155)? And more importantly what is the fix for this problem, based on your past experience? Many thanks in advance.

Here's what I observe on my 91 Civic: The light is NOT on when I started the car. It came on and stayed on after about 30 mins driving. When I turned off the engine and turned it back on, the light is not on. Then the cycle repeated itself.
 
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Old 04-15-2010, 09:27 AM
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Almost certainly, the oxygen sensor is bad. It's screwed into the exhaust manifold on the front of the engine.
 
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Old 04-17-2010, 11:42 AM
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I think I might have found the problem. A frayed leaking vacumm hose.

How do I reset the ECU to get rid of the error? Thanks.
 
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Old 04-17-2010, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by samt
I think I might have found the problem. A frayed leaking vacumm hose.

How do I reset the ECU to get rid of the error? Thanks.
Can I assume the vacuum hose was attached to the fuel pressure regulator?

Reset the ECU by removing the 10A Hazard fuse in the main fuse box for a few minutes.
 
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Old 04-17-2010, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by RonJ
Can I assume the vacuum hose was attached to the fuel pressure regulator?
I don't know. I will look. Thanks for your help.

RonJ,

I just looked and I still don't know if it's attached to the fuel pressure regulator. In fact, I could not positively identify the fuel pressure regulator.

Anyway, it's the big (1 inch diameter) inverted L-shape (about 6 inches long) that connects the black PGM-FI box to the input header on the driver side.

I have cleared the error code as you instructed. Hopefully the light will not come back. Thanks.
 

Last edited by samt; 04-18-2010 at 08:41 AM.
  #9  
Old 04-18-2010, 04:51 PM
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That hose directs filtered air into the IACV valve for idling. It would not cause a code, but it would allow dust into the engine so it needs to be fixed.

The fuel presure regulator is on the driver's side of the throttle body it has a small hose which I think goes to a valve on the firewall. The large hose to the firewall returns fuel to the gas tank.
 
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Old 04-21-2010, 05:29 PM
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mk378,

You are right. That was not the cause of the check light. The light came back within 20 mins of driving. So I do I verify that the oxygen sensor is bad? Does a bad oxygen sensor results in worse mileage?

Thanks
 


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