Honda vehicles include a powerful tool to help you diagnose malfunctions. It does it by issuing some codes to guide you to the cause of the problem. Most importantly, you can obtain those codes manually and without any cost. So, check how to pull Honda codes without a scanner and save time and money to make your repairs.
The Japanese brand Honda gained recognition all over the world by the quality of its vehicles. Such quality is represented by its safety, durability, and affordability. Some countries, such as the United States of America, have them among the best-sold vehicles for more than 20 years. And the benefits of having a Honda vehicle may include the advantage of diagnosing any malfunction manually.
The OBD system to pull Honda codes
To obtain the codes, Honda added an Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD) into the vehicles. It is a computer that reads and monitors the performance of some parts of the car. It is connected with the sensors of many of those parts. Therefore, when any of them has a malfunction, it can be detected by getting connected to the sensors. Every sensor provides a piece of different information that becomes a code. This is how you can get guidance on the proper car part.
The first signs of troubles
When a Honda vehicle has a malfunction, the OBD is alerted. To inform about the malfunction, it turns on the Check Engine Light (CEL). This light is located at the dashboard and is commonly represented by an engine figure in a bright color.
When you get that light on, your vehicle may still circulate but is in danger of getting in more significant troubles. That is precisely why the light turns on. You get a warning and some extra time to try to find the causes of the malfunction.
What do the codes mean?
The codes represent malfunctions in the gearbox, engine, or ignition and emissions system. Every number that you get is included in the Honda trouble codes list or Honda check engine light codes (Honda CEL codes).
As this point is important to consider that the codes may vary from one model to another. Furthermore, the codes may differ after some time, and the fabricant, Honda, may vary their meaning. Due to that, when you check the meaning of each code, you need to make sure that you have an updated list.
How to read the Honda check engine light codes (Honda CEL codes)?
Learning how to read codes is crucial to take advantage of them. The codes go from number 1 and up to the number 54. A CEL code usually contains 5 digits. It means that when you read the codes, you get it in different parts. They come in single numbers or pairs by tens. Every one of those numbers refers to a specific mechanical part.
Different ways to obtain the codes
Currently, there are two ways to obtain Honda CEL codes. Firstly, you can use a scanner. This is the way that professional mechanics use. They connect the scanner to the diagnosis system of the vehicle, and right away, they get the codes. However, if you are not a mechanic, there are little chances that you have a scanner. They might be too expensive for individual use.
Secondly, there is a manual way that consists in connecting a little metal wire to the diagnosis system. This method pushes the OBD to provide the CEL codes, and you don´t need to use a scanner. When you learn how to read the codes properly, this method is as effective and reliable as using the scanner. Having different options to diagnose your car provides essential elements of safety and affordability. Although it is not part of the initial price, there is no doubt that it has an important influence to calculate maintenance costs.
Step by step to pull Honda codes without a scanner
The method to pull Honda CEL codes manually is fast. First, you need to find a little metal wire. It consists of a metal clipper or a bobby pin. If you go for the bobby pin, you need to remove the point parts. The point must be only metal because that will get directly in touch with the diagnosis system. It will put the diagnosis system in auto-mode. Having said that, this is how to pull Honda codes without a scanner.
- Turn off the vehicle.
- Open the metal clipper or the bobby pin until forming a “U” form.
- Find the diagnosis system in the Honda vehicle. It is located underneath the glove compartment on the right or left side and covered with a car part.
- Open the car part and find the connector for the diagnosis system. Usually, there are 2 of them. One has 3 cavities to connect the scanner. The other has 2 cavities to connect the metal wire and put the diagnosis system in auto-mode.
- Connect each side of the metal wire or bobby pin to each side of the two-cavities connector.
- Turn the vehicle to the ignition mode without turning on the engine.
- Check the dashboard to see the CEL and check if it flashes. If it does it, then your vehicle has a malfunction.
- Read the codes by checking the length of the flashes. This is to say that long flashes mean quantities of numbers 10 and above. On the other hand, short flashes represent numbers 9 and below. Each code number you must have to take after a pause occurs.
- After you read the CEL codes, put back the connectors to their compartment and close it properly to protect the connectors.
How to use the CEL codes
After you get the codes, it is time to find to what part they refer to alter. Firstly, they don´t tell you exactly what part of the vehicle has to be repaired. They only indicate the sensor of the part. Commonly, every car has different components. Hence, you will need to verify which component has to be replaced or repaired.
If you are not a mechanic, this is the moment to contact one of them. If you do so, you will have the advantage of understanding what he proposes to fix your car. And, if you have some knowledge about mechanics, it will definitively ease the process of repairing the car.
Are CEL codes obtained without a scanner trustable?
Due to the simplicity of the method to get the CEL codes, it might lead you to doubt its reliability. But you can rest assured that the method is 100% trustable. The first clue about it is that the vehicle includes a 2-cavities connector to do it that way. The fabricants wanted to make sure that car owners had an alternative to check the malfunctions despite the lack of scanner.
Although Honda vehicles circulate around cities, they can also circulate in remote zones where scanners might not be available at first hand. However, you must know how to read the codes in order to guarantee the right diagnosis.
Risks of not reading the CEL codes properly
Despite your best efforts and intentions, it might happen that you don´t read the codes correctly. In such cases, the risk is minimum. That is because the codes only refer you to the general car part that is expected to have the malfunction.
After obtaining such information, you still would have to verify which exact part needs replacement. So, if you can´t find any specific part, then you can go back to try to reread the codes. Although it might be annoying, the process is so easy and cost-free that it will not cause major disturbances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you have a Honda vehicle, you enjoy an extraordinary advantage to repair it. The auto-diagnosis system is easy to use. Indeed, if you learn how to pull Honda codes without a scanner, you will have an important part of the way to fix it. Also, if you are not a mechanic, you will have a considerable advantage to negotiate the repairment fees and avoid scams.
Due to this method, you don´t have to wait until going to the mechanic to know what is going on with your vehicle. Also, you already know that if the Check Engine Light (CEL)turns on, it is only a warning. Therefore, you will peace of mind while finding a mechanic or getting the CEL codes on your own.