subject: How do I determine the cause of "check engine" light on my Honda? [print this page] If you are looking for a quality used car then Honda is definitely a good choice of brand due to its high resale value, as well as the reliability of a Honda. There are few things you should be aware of before making a purchase, making you an educated buyer so you can ensure you are getting a quality product. In the last article we discussed about Honda's timing belt and water pump replacement schedule. If you missed that information please refer to the previous article in this series. In this article we will be discussing the issues of check engine light. If you are looking to purchase a 2001 or newer Honda and you noticed a "check engine" light on the dashboard you should first remain calm. 90% of the time check engine light is triggered by the owner themselves filling up gas and not tighten the gas cap properly. The on board computer may think the vehicle is losing pressure in the gas tank and trigger the check engine light to come on. The other common cause of your check engine light can include clogged PCV valve which serves the purpose of emission control on your vehicle. PCV valve stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve; it is a one-way valve that assists with the continual evacuation of gases from inside a gasoline/petrol internal combustion engine's crankcase.
If your PCV valve is faulty the solution is relatively simple, you can either clean the passage by using compressed air to blow into the valve it self, or changing the valve is also relatively cheap. The sure way of telling the exact cause of your check engine light is to visit your local mechanic and ask them to hook up the diagnostic tools which will decode the warning light and point you to the right direction. If the vehicle you are purchasing runs relatively smooth with the check engine light on, chances are it is not related to internal engine components. If the engine idles rough, shakes and vibrates, then you may have a much serious problem with your engine. Make sure the vehicle you are about to purchase has some kind of warranty on the power train itself to protect you from expensive engine or transmission repairs. If you are buying this vehicle through a private seller, ask them to remove the check engine light and print you a diagnostic report as the part of your purchase agreement.
In Ontario every vehicle must pass the safety and emission test before you can transfer the ownership, if the check engine light is related to the exhaust system, i.e.: oxygen sensors or PCV valves, you will notice very high CO2 readings on your emission test papers. If you are not sure about the check engine light never commit to the purchase without consult your local Honda dealership. Thank you for reading this article it is brought to you by Used Honda Toronto, you can find us online at http://www.usedhondatoronto.ca or http://www.benchmarkautomotive.ca
How do I determine the cause of "check engine" light on my Honda?
