check engine light HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1998 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: HONDA, Model Year: 1998, Model line: CIVIC COUPE, Model: HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1998Pages: 251, PDF Size: 2.04 MB
Page 178 of 251
Air Conditioning System
Standard on U.S. EX model
Your vehicle's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualified mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to makesure the air conditioning works
efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 234.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenance
NOTICE
NOTICE
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSERMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 212 of 251
If Your Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
You hear nothing, or almostnothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting on page 213.
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Emergency Towing on page 227).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 173). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
from a booster battery (see page 213).
Taking Care of the UnexpectedMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 213 of 251
If Your Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting
The Starter Operates Normally In this case, the starter motor'sspeed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper startingprocedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 121.
Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 223).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergency Towing on page 227. Jump Starting
If your vehicle's battery has rundown, you may be able to start the
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start a Honda with anautomatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle, follow
these directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 150). In very cold
weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushyor like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 217 of 251
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it indicates that the oil pressuredropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safety get
the vehicle stopped.
1. Safety pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page 111). Although oil
level and oil pressure are not directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 155). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving (See Emergency
Towing on page 227).
Taking Care of the Unexpected
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 223 of 251
Fuses
Vehicles equipped with ABS have a third fuse box for the ABS. It is in
the engine compartment on the
passenger's side.
Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
you should check for is a blown fuse. Determine from the chart on pages 198 and 199, or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses control that component. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is not the cause. Replace any blown
fuses and check the component's
operation.
1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box. 3. Check each of the large fuses in
the under-hood fuse box bylooking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head screw-
driver.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
ABS FUSE BOX
FUSE
BLOWNMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 247 of 251
Index
Accessories and Modifications.... 114 Accessories................................. 114
Additional Safety Precaution.... 115Modifications............................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 68
Accessory Power Socket................ 83
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 164
Brake Fluid................................. 167 Clutch Fluid................................ 167
Engine Coolant........................... 159
Engine Oil................................... 155
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 166Power Steering Fluid................. 168
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 164
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 40
Lap Belt......................................... 41
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 40 Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 43
Additional Safety Precautions.... 46 How Your Airbags Work............ 43
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 45
SRS Components......................... 43
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 156
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 188
Head Restraints........................... 75
Mirrors.......................................... 79
Seats.............................................. 74
Steering Wheel............................ 63
Airbag (SRS)...................................... 7
Air Cleaner Element...................... 169
Air Conditioning............................... 86 Maintenance............................... 177
Usage............................................. 86
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 88
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 180 High Speed Driving................... 236
Normal Driving.......................... 180
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 238
Antifreeze....................................... 159
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light.....................
53, 137
Operation.................................... 13 6
Anti-thef
t Steering Column
Lock...............................................68
Appearance Care........................... 199
Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 83
Audio System................................... 94
Automatic Speed Control................ 64
Automatic Transmission............... 124
Capacity, Fluid........................... 233
Checking Fluid Level................ 164
Shifting........................................ 125
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 124
Shift Lever Positions................. 125
Shift Lock Release..................... 128
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 53,
218
Jump Starting............................ .
213
Maintenance............................... 173
Specifications............................. 234
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t
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Index
Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 6
Beverage Holder.............................. 82
Body Repair.................................... 200
Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 135Break-in, New Linings .............. 108
Fluid............................................ 166Light, Burned-out...................... 192
Parking..........................................80
System Indicator.......................... 53
Wear Indicators......................... 134
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 134
System Indicator..................
53, 13 7
Braking System............................. .
134
Break-in, New Car......................... 108
Brightness Control, Instruments... 60
Brights, Headlights......................... 59
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 193
Brake Lights............................... 192
Front Parking Lights................. 191
Front Side Marker Lights......... 191
Headlights.................................. 189
High-mount Brake Light.......... 194 Interior Light.............................. 195
License Plate Lights.................. 194
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 193
Specifications............................. 234
Trunk Light................................ 196
Turn Signal Lights..................... 191
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 185
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 213
Capacities Chart............................. 233 Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 47
Carrying Cargo.............................. 116
Cassette Player
Care............................................. 102
Operation.................................... 100
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 103
CD Player........................................ 103
Certification Label......................... 230
Chains............................................. 185
Change Oil
How to......................................... 157
When to....................................... 146
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 207 Changing Engine Coolant............. 161
Charging System Indicator .... 53,
218
Checking
Automatic Transmissio
n
Fluid........................................ 164
Battery Condition...................... 173
Brake Fluid................................. 167
Clutch Fluid................................ 167
Drive Belts.................................. 178
Engine Coolant........................... 112
Engine Oil..............................
111
Fuses........................................... 22 2
Manua
l Transmission Fluid..... 166
Power Steering Fluid................. 168
Checklist, Before Driving............. 120
Cleaner, Air.................................... 169
Cleaning Exterior....................................... 200
Interior........................................ 202
Seat Belts.................................... 202
Vinyl............................................202
Windows..................................... 203
Clock, Setting the............................ 99
Clutch Fluid.................................... 167
CO in the Exhaust......................... 240
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 121Main Menu s t
Page 249 of 251
Index
Compact Spare............................... 206
Consumer Information*................ 244
Controls, Instruments and.............. 49
Coolant
Adding......................................... 155
Checking..................................... 112
Proper Solution.......................... 159
Replacing.................................... 161
Temperature Gauge.................... 56
Corrosion Protection..................... 203
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 240
Cruise Control Operation............... 64
Customer Relations Office........... 244
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 50
Daytime Running Lights................. 59
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 213
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 248
Defog and Defrost........................... 91
Defogger, Rear Window................. 62
Defrosting the Windows................. 91
DEXRON
®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 165
Dimensions..................................... 232
Dimming the Headlights................ 59
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 165
Engine Oil................................... 112
Directional Signals........................... 60
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 227
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 134
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 158
Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 68
Power Door Locks....................... 69
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 236
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 122
Driver and Passeneer Safety............ 3
Drive Belts.................................... 178
Driving............................................ 119
Economy..................................... 113
In Bad Weather.......................... 138
In Foreign Countries................. 239
Economy, Fuel............................... 113
Emergencies on the Road............. 205
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 213
Brake System Indicator............ 220Changing a Flat Tire................. 207
Charging System Indicator ...... 218
Checking the Fuses................... 223
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 217
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 219
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 219Overheated Engine................... 211
Emergency Brake............................ 80 Emergency Flashers....................... 62
Emissions Controls........................ 240
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 56
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp.................................
54, 219
Oil Pressur e
Indicator......... 53,
217
Oil, Wha
t
Kind to Use............... 155
Overheating................................ 215
Specifications............................. 232
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t
Page 250 of 251
Index
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 238
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 240
Exhaust Fumes................................ 47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by.........................................17
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 200
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 202
Fan, Interior...................................... 86
Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 85
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 109
Filters
Air................................................169
Oil................................................ 157
5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 166
Shifting the................................. 122
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 62
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 207
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 164
Brake...........................................167
Clutch..........................................167
Manual Transmission............... 166
Power Steering........................... 168
Windshield Washer................... 164
FM Stereo Radio
Reception...................................... 94
Folding Rear Seat............................ 76
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 239
Four-way Flashers........................... 62
Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 227
Fuel..................................................108
Fill Door and Cap....................... 109
Gauge............................................ 56
Octane Requirement................. 108
Oxygenated................................ 238
Reserve Indicator......................... 54
Tank, Filling the......................... 109
Fuses, Checking the...................... 222
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 113
Gasohol........................................... 238
Gasoline.......................................... 108
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 54
Gauge............................................ 56
Octane Requirement................. 108
Tank, Filling the......................... 109
Gas Station Procedures................. 109
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 56
Fuel................................................ 56
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 1255-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 122
Glass Cleaning............................... 203
Glove Box......................................... 8 1
Haloge n Headligh t
Bulbs.............. 189
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 62
Headlights
Aiming......................................... 188
Daytime Running Lights............. 59
High Beam Indicator................... 54
High Beams, Turning on............ 59
Low Beams, Turning on............. 59 Reminder Beeper......................... 59
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 189
Turning on....................................
59Main Menu s t