Greetings,
I have a 1996 3.2TL with 106,000 miles on it and the check engine light came on this morning when I drove it.

1.Is there a way to see why the check engine light is on - some kind of diagnostics I can do at home?

2.What is the most likely cause?

Help!

Thanks.

 

autozone can do it for free.

possibilities:

1) didnt tighten the gas cap to at least 3 clicks
2) didn't use premium gas
3) need to change out your dirty air filter
4) defected oxygen sensor
5) fuel injecter needs to be replaced

and welcome to the forums. I just wish people would join the forums whenever they DON'T NEED help.

 

<------ Joined when didn't need help!! HAHA!! (Just being a smart a$$!!) Actually I think I joined even before I bought the car.... lol

 

I joined right before I got my TL, or else right after, just because I did a search and found the boards. I never imagined this site would excist, or that I'd find so damn much info in here.

 

Haha...I joined before getting my car.

Like what TLBaller said, take it to Autozone and let them scan it for the code. Then take it to your Acura dealer and demand them to fix whatever the problem is under the extended emission warrenty. I have not personally done it before so good luck!

Here's a thread talking about it:

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...issions+recall

 

You shouldnt have a problem getting things fixed under warranty. I think that you are covered untill like 150k miles if it has to do with your EGR valve or your O2 sensor. Im guessing thats most likely the cause. My brother's check engine light comes on relatively often. Every time it has, it has either been his O2 sensor or his EGR valve or both, lol. Every single time it has been free to replace. He gets a free car wash too. haha

 

Cool... Thanks guys.

So I can bring it into any Autozone and they will diag for free?

 

My engine check light came on like 2 months ago the problem was that my sparkplug modulator was dettached and they had to get me a new one.

 

yeah zwoiks

 

*UPDATE*
Well I called Acura and when they transferred me to the first sevice advisor, he mentioned some mumble jumble about not being able to check my VIN over the phone and wanted me to make an appointment to bring my car in for my CEL After I got transferred to the service dept. receptionist to make an appointment I inquired about a loaner car if I had to leave my car overnight. She then transferred me to another service advisor and he said he can check my VIN over the phone. To make a long story short, I'm bringing my car in on Thursday for the emissions recall as well as some kind of shaft recall for the tranny? One more thing they wouldn't give me a loaner car since my car was in for recall work. Oh well..... Anyways thanks for the help guys I really do appreciate it.

Peace

 

*Update*

Well just Acura just called and they said it was my EGR valve that they had to replace....woohooooo....no charge baby. They informed me that if the CEL light was not their problem they would charge me $125 for the diag. It's still not bad because even if it's not their problem, they change all the ignition components for you anyways. Thanks y'all.

 

hey guys, my check engine light is on too. is it really covered under warranty if it's the EGR valve or O2 sensor? i got about 87k on mine. this is an emissions warranty? i didn't know there was one for it.

 

It covers only some '95, all of '96 and '97 Honda and Acura vehcles. If you have one that is newer, then it won't be covered.

Here's the TSB on it, I got it from nsxprime.com:

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Reference/tsb/98-031.htm

 

a lil off topic but what does the maintenence required light normally come on for? It's suppose to be green all the time right? mine recently changed colors....

 

"maintainence required" indicator doesn't really do a whole lot. Green means your fine, as you approoach 7500 miles mark after the last time the indicator was reset the indicator turn yellow. After passing the 7500 mark, the indicator turns red. Largely useless, but that just my 2 cents.

To reset the indicator, insert your key into the slot in the instrument panel adjacent to the indicator. Should go back to green.

 

Its basically a reminder to change your oil

 

i change my oil every 2,500 miles or 3 months...sometimes even more then that if im bored