Hi! So today while on my way back from work my check engine light came on.

I don't have much more information. I felt some vibration in my seat and my steering wheel in the minute before the light came on, but it felt like snow stuck in my wheels more than anything (there's a storm going on here). When I pulled over and checked under the hood everything seemed pretty normal, I could hear a faint hissing sound coming from the drive belt area, but I'm not sure if that was there before or not. Finally, there's my usual engine knock that's been going on for a couple months and it has been looked at by many mechanics at Acura and private ones too. It doesn't sound worse than usual, could the knock have caused the CEL?

I do not own a scanner for our car. I'm not against the idea of buying one. There's also a dealer right next door so I have that option too but dealerships kind of scare me. There's also a Honda/Acura shop 30 minutes away so that's another option I have.

What do you guys think I should do? Is there any troubleshooting I can do without a scanner? Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks,
Vince

 

If you stop by any auto store they should be able to pull up codes with a scanner for free for you. I know here they do it for free at Autozone and Pepboys. Just write the code down and google it.

 

A knock? Have you checked all the plugs? What year/model of TL? Get your codes read and post them?

 

You can't troubleshoot without checking those codes... Trouble codes are meant to help you start troubleshooting.

 

I'll call auto parts store first thing in the morning!

It JUST happened (the CEL), I didn't check anything yet. I can't start checking plugs in the storm. The knock is old news, it's coming from the bottom end and plugs have been ruled out long ago I wish it was just that, I'll still check them just in case, my day would be made if it was just that xD

Yeah I figured but since I pretty much can't do anything tonight I thought asking here might give some insight on what's the best way to deal with this. As you said codes will have to be read. I just don't really want to go to the dealer but if i have to I will.

 

Get the ELM327

One of the best purchases I've ever made.

 

The Bluetooth OBD 2 ELM327 paired with an android pays for itself 2-3 times over on the first use. It does more analysis than even the ones mechanics use. Battery tests, emissions test status, check/reset engine codes, etc.

 

Eddie, as others said, check the code. Also engine knock of any type is always a bad thing and I'm surprised that no one bothered enough to find the cause and fix it...

 

I ordered the elm327 this morning. Can't wait for it to come in. Should be at least 2 weeks. Until then I'll check the plugs.

The knock is coming from the bottom end of the engine, fixing it basically involves a rebuild. There was a thread recently about a guy being told the same thing and he ended up finding out by himself that it was a faulty pulley (can't remember which one). My knock vaguely sounds like his so I'm gonna take off the drive belt soon and see if anything changes.

Not gonna go too deep into engine repairs though, if it's too bad I'll swap a low mileage one in and be done with it.

 

Hey if it's only a pulley or similar, that's a cheap enough fix. Worth taking the drive belt off and checking every pulley to make sure they spin fine.

The ELM327 is great. Routinely use mine with my phone and Torque Pro to diagnose every friend and family member car. Re-assured my brother about his CEL (gas cap issue!) and found out my mother has a cylinder misfire every once in a blue moon.

 

pull the code first. it could be the EGR valve and all you need to do is clean it.

 

I got a guy to read my code tomorrow, couldn't wait for the reader to arrive since I daily drive the car. Thanks for the advice guys, I'll update as soon as I know more

 

I finally got my obd2 reader today and I read my code. It is p0134 : o2 sensor no activity detected bank 1 sensor 1.

After a quick search it is the sensor near the firewall under the strut bar is this correct? I tried clearing the code with my reader but as soon as I refresh it the code is back. Should I proceed to order a new sensor or is there anything else I can do before that?

Thanks for your help guys!