I drove from Seattle to San Francisco and back and got gas in Portland where they pump your gas. I got back to Seattle and was on my way to get gas today and the check engine light came on. I pulled the book out and read in the book that it may be due to the cap being loose. So when I got gas I checked it and it was real loose, not tight at all. I got gas and tighted the cap till it clicked. The "check engine" light still was on. The book says that after 3 trips I shoudl take it in. The car drives fine, no smells, A/C works, heater works, no strange sounds, sputters, etc. Drives like it always has. The car is a 98 Civic LX 4 door, 5 speed with 82,000 miles. I just drove from Seattle to San Francisco and back and put gas in 6 times, all Shell gas. Do I really need to take it in or does anyone have any ideas. I have had the car 2 1/2 years and always change the oil every 3,000 miles and thats about it. Is there anythibg else anyone would suggest I do? Does anyone know of a Honda mechanic I could go see in the Northern Seattle area to Everette, I just moved here and would like to find a mechnic I can trust. Thanks!!

Randy

 

look in the engine bay at the fuse box, and one fuse should be labeled ecu, ecm, or something indicating that it is for the engines computer. pull that fuse and leave it out for at least 15 minutes. (i usually do it for an hour or so to make sure.) then put it back and start the car and let it idle for a few minutes. the light should be off when you start it. if it is off, then clicks on, you might go to autozone and get the scantool and pull the code. you can borrow the scantool for free. once you get the code, you can erase it form the memory, and that should shut off the light. if it comes back on, take it to a mechanic if youre not comfortable fixing it yourself.

 

I know tht on newer bmw's the cel comes on when the computer detects a vacuum leak from the gas cap (ie: loose cap, no cap, bad cap) there might be a sequence of shutting off the car and turning the key and such like they do. or like sac said, take it and pull the code and erase it yourself! but that should hav ebeen the only thing to cause that to go one unless your holding back.... Good Luck!

 

depending on what the problem is, you can disconnect the battery for a minute or two.

 

i prefer to use the ecu fuse, because then it doesnt kill your presets on your radio. but unhooking the battery works fine too.