Nothing is quite as frustrating as driving your car only to see that dreaded check engine light come on. Before you panic, if you’re driving a Honda Accord, you should know some common reasons for this light.
What are some common reasons for a Honda Accord check engine light?
The check engine light on a Honda Accord often indicates:
- Vacuum leak
- O2 Sensor problems
- Spark plug or spark plug wire problems
- A bad catalytic converter
If you’ve got a Honda Accord that’s showing its check engine light, you’ll want to dig in to see what the problems are. We’ve created this article to help you get to the bottom of this common but pesky problem.
History of the Honda Accord Engine
Since it hit the market in 1976, the Honda Accord has been one of America’s best-selling cars. One of the earliest engines, released in 1982, was a 1.8-liter engine paired with a four-speed automatic. This little engine generated between 80 and 90 horsepower.
Over the years, the Honda Accord has continued to evolve, and so has its engine. By 2002, it offered a 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine that could generate 160HP or a 3.0-liter V6 that could generate 240 horsepower, but innovation continued.
In 2005, just in time for the car’s 30th anniversary, Honda introduced its 3.0-liter V6 Hybrid engine that drew 253 horsepower. The 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter engines continued to be the choice until the 10th generation in 2017.
With the 2018 model year, Honda Accord brought a new turbocharged engine to the scene. The standard 1.5-liter 6MT delivers 192 horsepower. The Accord also has a 1.5-liter CVT, a 2.0-liter 10AT, and a 2.0-liter 6MT.
What are Common Causes for the Check Engine Light on a Honda Accord?
The Honda Accord check engine light can indicate a number of problems.
Sometimes, the problem is with the spark plugs. This means you need to replace the plugs or the plug wiring to turn off the light.
Other times, it might be the O2 sensor. A faulty sensor can cause the light to come on, but so can a dirty sensor. Try cleaning the sensor first to see if it resolves the problem.
Sometimes, the light will turn on because of a vacuum leak. If this is the case, you’ll want to have the car fixed by your mechanic. This is not an emergency, though.
A bad catalytic converter is a final cause for the check engine light. Replacing the catalytic converter will fix the problem.
People Also Ask These Questions Related to the Honda Accord Check Engine Light
How can I tell why my Honda Accord check engine light is on?
Take your car to the dealership to have the code read. The dealer will be able to pull the code to see what the problem is and advise a repair solution.
How do you turn off the check engine light on a Honda Accord?
If you’ve fixed the problem, but the check engine light will not turn off, find the fuse puller inside the fuse panel. Remove it, and pull the clock fuse. After 30 minutes, put the fuse back in. You will reset the check engine light, clock, and radio.
Is it safe to drive your car with the check engine light on?
Yes, most check engine light problems are not emergencies, and you can safely drive. You should get your Accord checked at some point to make sure your engine is not suffering.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
If you’ve remedied the problem that triggered the light, the light should turn itself off.
