Check engine light is a kind of warning light on cluster meter in front of driver. It turns ON and OFF by engine control module which control the function of engine. So that driver may know that there is some problem occurs at engine compartment. As Honda check engine light start illuminating on cluster meter when engine control module monitor any malfunction at engine compartment.
Most of the time check engine light start illuminating on cluster meter when there is some electrical problem occurs at engine. As there are many sensor and actuator present at engine compartment. To provide require power at high speed and smooth engine at idle speed. These sensor and actuator always send signal to control module in the form of voltage. When any one sensor or actuator stop sending signal or send wrong signal to engine control module. Engine control module turn ON engine warning indicator light on cluster.
List of sensor, actuator and there function:
Air mass sensor: Air mass sensor is located after air filter body. It is used to measure the amount of air entering into combustion chamber. This sensor measure the amount of air entering into combustion chamber and send this signal to engine control module. According to this signal engine control module inject fuel into combustion chamber. When this sensor stop sending signal to engine control module due to any reason. Engine control module fail to inject proper amount of fuel into combustion engine. Because of which sometime engine control module inject more fuel or less fuel, in result of which engine does start missing, knocking etc.
Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor: MAP sensor is known as manifold absolute pressure sensor, its function is mostly similar to air mass sensor. Manifold absolute pressure sensor is use to monitor the pressure of air entering into combustion chamber. When map sensor fail to send signal to engine control module of about pressure of air entering into combustion engine. Engine control module did not inject proper amount of fuel into combustion engine. In result which engine performance become week to provide power and pick up while driving.
Oxygen sensor (O2): Oxygen sensor is also known as lambda sensor which is located at the exhaust line of engine. There are two oxygen sensor on exhaust, one is located before catalytic converter and the other one is located after catalytic converter. These two sensor is use to monitor the burn air fuel mixture ratio. Oxygen sensor monitor that, if air fuel mixture is completely burn in combustion chamber or not. Like sometime when there is any one or more sensor of engine stop functioning.
Engine control module loss the control of making proper air fuel mixture. In result of which air fuel mixture did not burn properly into combustion chamber. In this situation oxygen sensor monitor, if fuel is properly burn not. When fuel does not burn properly oxygen sensor send this signal to engine control module. Than engine control module send low amount of fuel into combustion chamber. Also make sure that air fuel mixture ratio should be proper.
Fuel rail pressure sensor: Fuel rail pressure sensor is located at the fuel rail end. This sensor is use to monitor the pressure of fuel in fuel rail and send this signal to engine control module. Engine control module use this signal from fuel rail pressure sensor to mix air fuel ratio. When fuel rail pressure sensor fail and did not send proper fuel pressure signal to engine control module. Than it could be possible that engine does not start.
Because when engine control module receive signal of low fuel pressure in fuel rail. Than it will not send signal to fuel injector to inject fuel into combustion chamber. In result which engine may not start, or if start that it take much longer crank to start. The reason of low fuel pressure is could be low amount of fuel into fuel tank, failure of high pressure fuel pump, electrical problem of sensor.
Exhaust gas recirculation sensor: exhaust gas recirculation sensor is located at the body of exhaust valve. Which is used to monitor the pressure of exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passage. Exhaust gas recirculation sensor send this signal to engine control module. According to which engine control module send air fuel mixture to combustion chamber. When exhaust gas sensor did not send require signal to engine control module. Regarding exhaust gas flow than engine control module will not send proper amount of air fuel mixture into combustion chamber. Due to any reason like, when exhaust gas valve get block due to carbon deposition on its valve. Than exhaust gas valve will not open, in result which exhaust flow will stop passing toward combustion engine.
To solve this problem you need to remove exhaust valve from where exhaust gas passes to combustion engine. Clean that valve and free up that from carbon deposition. If valve is clean and free from carbon deposition than you need to check the sensor condition. If sensor is not working proper than changing it is a better option.
Camshaft sensor: Camshaft sensor is use to monitor the rotational speed of camshaft. It is located above camshaft on the upper cover of engine. It play an important role in engine starting system. Camshaft sensor send signal to engine control module of about rotational speed of camshaft. Engine control module receive this signal from sensor and decide to inject fuel into combustion chamber. If camshaft sensor monitor that camshaft is not rotating in proper direction. Than engine control module will not inject fuel into combustion chamber. Due to which engine starting problem can be seen in vehicle.
Crankshaft sensor: Crankshaft sensor is use to monitor the rotational speed of crankshaft. It is located near the crankshaft at different place according to manufacturer. Sensor monitor the rotational speed of crankshaft and send signal to engine control module. Engine control module receive this signal form sensor and decide to inject fuel into combustion chamber. Camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor signal is used by engine control module to start the engine.
If the signal from crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor are not matching according to engine control module than engine will not start. As if signal from both of this sensor is not proper than it means that mechanism inside engine is not rotating in proper manner. Due to which engine control module do not inject fuel into combustion chamber to start the engine.
Turbocharger actuator motor: Turbocharge is controlled by an electronic motor connected with turbocharge fins with the help of a linkage. It open or close turbocharger fins according to the engine power requirements. Rotational speed of turbocharger decide the air pressure entrance into combustion chamber. As if it will rotate at slow speed air will enter into combustion chamber at low speed.
When ignition is turn ON, turbocharger actuator set the location of fins, you will hear a click noise from the motor. If this motor will stop working, turbocharger fins will not open according to the requirements. Due to which low engine power can be feel while driving at high speed.
Exhaust gas recirculation valve: Exhaust gas recirculation valve is located at upper right side of engine. It is connected with exhaust gas line of combustion chamber and intake of combustion chamber. It is operated by pneumatically, with the help of an electric motor. Engine control module monitor the signals from all the sensor. When it require to open exhaust gas recirculation valve. It send signal to electric pneumatic motor to actuate so that exhaust gas valve can open. On actuator motor there are two to three pipe line goes on different way. If anyone vacuum pipe place will change with other vacuum pipe than it can create more problem.
When exhaust gas recirculation valve will not open, engine will not build require power while driving. It may cause black smoke from exhaust and pick up problem. This can also did not open due to excessive carbon deposition on valve.
Causes of Honda check engine light:
There are many reason behind check engine light on cluster meter. Below are the main reason given behind check engine light.
- Faulty air mass sensor.
- Failure of manifold absolute pressure sensor.
- Improper burning of air fuel ratio.
- Faulty oxygen sensor or lambda sensor.
- Failure of fuel pressure sensor.
- Faulty fuel injectors.
- Failure of any one or more actuators.
- Week spark plug.
- Faulty ignition coil.
- Engine timing is not matching.
- Piston and piston ring problem.
- Leak manifold.
- Smell of fuel from the exhaust.
Symptoms of Honda check engine light:
- Engine start missing, knocking etc.
- Engine may start and stop.
- Pickup issue while driving at high speed.
- Black smoke from exhaust.
- White smoke from engine exhaust.
- Fault code will store in engine control module.
How to trouble shoot Honda check engine light:
When check engine light start illuminating on cluster meter. It means engine control module monitor any malfunction at engine compartment. If it is possible than stop vehicle and do not drive it. This warning light can be illuminate on cluster meter due to multiple reasons. Like failure of any sensor, actuator or any mechanical malfunction. To find out the reason behind this check engine light illuminating on cluster meter you need to hook up the scan tool. Hook up scan tool and try to find out the reason behind this warning indicator light.
If scan tool store fault code of about any faulty signal from any sensor or actuator. You need to check that particular sensor or actuator to solve the problem. First visually check around the location of sensor of about which scan tool store fault code. If there is any damage or loose connection found at the sensor or actuator than make it perfect. Than check wiring harness of that particular sensor or actuator. If wiring harness of the sensor is not damage, than check the condition of the sensor. If sensor or actuator is faulty than replace that particular sensor or actuator.
Sometime there are more complication to solve the problem about which scan tool store fault code. Like if scan tool store fault code of about more than one or more sensor and actuator. Like if there is fault code store in control module of about air mass sensor signal, exhaust gas recirculation valve actuator signal. At this time you will get confuse that how to solve this problem. Because there is two different fault code store in control module one fault code is about
How risky it is to drive with check engine light:
Driving with the problem of check engine light flashing could be risky. As flashing check light indicate problem at the engine electrical malfunction. When there is any electrical problem at the engine, it means engine is not functioning properly. There could be the problem of fuel injection related issue. When there is any problem occurs at the engine related to fuel injection. Engine did not give proper performance while driving at high speed. In this situation engine may stop functioning and stall. While this kind of issue is running at engine it could not be a good idea to drive with this problem.
Common mistake while solving:
Most of the time when check engine light start flashing driver did not do attention at this issue. Drive vehicle without solving engine problem. In result which goes in deep damage problem.
When engine light start flashing, mechanic need to hook up scan tool to find out actual problem behind this issue. Because there are not only one problem due to which engine light start flashing. In this situation there is only one way to find out actual reason behind this. Which is scan tool, with the help of which you can find out the actual fault code.
There could be many more fault code store in control module. Mechanic need to rectify that all the fault codes and find out because of which reason these all fault code store in control module.
For example: If fault code store in scan tool is , air mass sensor signal too high/too low, exhaust gas recirculation sensor signal too high/too low, manifold absolute pressure sensor signal too high/too low. In this condition mechanic need to confirm that because of which sensor all these fault codes is store in control module. Like in this situation there is a problem of exhaust gas recirculation sensor which is not working properly due to which air mass sensor and MAP sensor fault code is store in control module.
Precaution need to take:
While solving this kind of problem you need to be careful with hot engine. As when engine run for some time it get heat. In this condition if you will go to find out the problem that it could be possible that you can damage your body parts. Wait for some time so that hot engine become cool.
Do not open radiator cap to check water level when engine is too hot. As when engine is too hot there are gas inside the water store tank. Due to which water from radiator will come out in high pressure. In this condition your face and hand can be injured with hot water.
Whenever remove any sensor from its location. Always remove there electrical connection from sensor very carefully. As there connector become hard and uneasy to remove after long time. So there is a high chance of sensor electrical connector can be brake while removing it. Refit them at proper position and connect there electrical connection properly.
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