Decoding Your 1992 Honda Accord Check Engine Light: A Simple OBD1 Guide

Is your check engine light illuminated in your 1992 Honda Accord? Don’t worry, diagnosing the issue might be simpler than you think. This guide will walk you through how to read the OBD1 trouble codes on your 1992 Honda Accord, helping you pinpoint potential problems and take the first steps towards a solution.

Is My 1992 Honda Accord OBD1 or OBD2? Understanding Your Diagnostic System

For the 1992 model year, Honda Accords are equipped with an OBD1 (On-Board Diagnostics 1) system. OBD2, the more standardized and advanced system, became mandatory in the United States for most vehicles in 1996. Therefore, your 1992 Honda Accord will utilize the earlier OBD1 system. Understanding this distinction is crucial because the diagnostic procedures and connectors differ significantly between OBD1 and OBD2. This guide specifically addresses reading codes from your 1992 Honda Accord’s OBD1 system.

How to Read OBD1 Codes on Your 1992 Honda Accord: Step-by-Step

Reading the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from your 1992 Honda Accord’s OBD1 system doesn’t require any special tools. You can retrieve these codes using a simple paper clip or wire. Here’s how:

Step 1: Locate the OBD1 Diagnostic Connector

The OBD1 diagnostic connector in your 1992 Honda Accord is located on the passenger side kick panel. You’ll be looking for a blue, 2-pin connector with two wires leading to it.

Step 2: Prepare to Read the Codes

1. Turn off the ignition: Ensure your Honda Accord is turned off.
2. Access the connector: Locate the blue 2-pin connector in the passenger side kick panel as described in Step 1.
3. Prepare your jumper: Take a paper clip, a piece of wire, or a connector and straighten it into a U-shape. This will be used to bridge the two terminals in the blue connector.

Step 3: Reading the Blink Codes

1. Ignition to “ON”: Insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the “ON” position. This is two clicks forward, where the dashboard lights illuminate, but the engine is not started.

2. Connect the terminals: Use your prepared jumper (paper clip or wire) to connect the two prongs within the blue diagnostic connector.

3. Observe the Check Engine Light (CEL): Watch the check engine light on your dashboard. It will begin to blink in a pattern.

4. Interpret the blinks: The blink patterns represent the diagnostic trouble codes.

   • Long blink: Represents 10.
   • Short blink: Represents 1.

   The check engine light will blink the code(s) repeatedly. For example, if you see two long blinks followed by one short blink, the code is 21. If there are multiple codes, they will be displayed sequentially, with a pause between each code and a longer pause before the sequence repeats.

Step 4: OBD1 Code List for 1992 Honda Accord

Once you have recorded the blink codes, compare them to the following list to identify the potential issue. This list provides common OBD1 error codes for 1992 Honda Accords.

Engine (ECU) Codes:

• 1: O2A – Oxygen sensor #1
• 2: O2B – Oxygen sensor #2
• 3: MAP – Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor
• 4: CKP – Crank Position Sensor
• 5: MAP – Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor (Duplicate, likely typo in original source, could refer to different MAP sensor or condition)
• 6: ECT – Engine Coolant Temperature sensor
• 7: TPS – Throttle Position Sensor
• 8: TDC – Top Dead Center sensor
• 9: CYP – Cylinder sensor
• 10: IAT – Intake Air Temperature sensor
• 12: EGR – Exhaust Gas Recirculation lift valve
• 13: BARO – Atmospheric Pressure sensor
• 14: IAC (EACV) – Idle Air Control Valve
• 15: Ignition output signal
• 16: Fuel Injectors
• 17: VSS – Vehicle Speed Sensor
• 19: Automatic transmission lockup control valve
• 20: Electrical Load Detector
• 21: VTEC spool solenoid valve
• 22: VTEC pressure valve
• 23: Knock sensor
• 30: Automatic transmission A signal
• 31: Automatic transmission B signal
• 36: Traction control (found on JDM ECUs)
• 41: Primary oxygen sensor heater
• 43: Fuel supply system
• 45: Fuel system too rich or lean
• 48: LAF – Lean Air Fuel sensor
• 54: CKF – Crank Fluctuation Sensor
• 58: TDC sensor #2
• 61: Primary oxygen sensor
• 63: Secondary oxygen sensor
• 65: Secondary oxygen sensor heater
• 71: Random misfire cylinder 1
• 72: Random misfire cylinder 2
• 73: Random misfire cylinder 3
• 74: Random misfire cylinder 4
• 80: Exhaust Gas Recirculation insufficient flow detected
• 86: ECT Sensor (Engine Coolant Temperature) circuit range / performance problem
• 90: Evaporative Emission Control System leak detected in the fuel tank area
• 91: Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor low input
• 92: Evaporative Emission Control System insufficient purge flow

Transmission Control Unit (TCU) Codes:

• 1: Lock-up solenoid ‘A’ circuit open or shorted.
• 2: Lock-up solenoid ‘B’ circuit open or shorted.
• 3: Throttle Position Sensor circuit open or shorted.
• 4: Vehicle Speed Sensor open or shorted – No signal from speedometer.
• 5: Shift Lever Position Switch circuit shorted.
• 6: Shift Lever Position Switch circuit open.
• 7: Shift Solenoid ‘A’ circuit open or shorted.
• 8: Shift Solenoid ‘B’ circuit open or shorted.
• 9: Counter shaft or transmission speed pulse generator open or shorted.
• 10: Coolant Temperature Sensor open or shorted.
• 11: Engine RPM (Ignition coil signal) open or shorted.
• 13: Main shaft speed pulse generator open or shorted.
• 14: Linear (line pressure control) solenoid open or shorted.
• 15: Kick down switch circuit shorted.

Resetting Your 1992 Honda Accord ECU (Clearing Codes)

After addressing the issue indicated by the OBD1 code, you may want to reset your car’s ECU to clear the check engine light. Here’s how to perform an ECU reset on your 1992 Honda Accord:

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal: Using a wrench, loosen and remove the nut on the negative (-) battery terminal. Carefully detach the negative cable from the battery post. Important: Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent accidental shorts.
2. Locate and remove the Hazard fuse: Open the under-hood fuse box and find the fuse labeled “Hazard”. Pull this fuse out completely.
3. Wait 10-15 minutes: Allow your Honda Accord to sit for 10-15 minutes with both the negative battery cable disconnected and the Hazard fuse removed. This allows the ECU to fully discharge and reset.
4. Reinstall the Hazard fuse: Place the Hazard fuse back into its slot in the fuse box.
5. Reconnect the negative battery terminal: Reattach the negative battery cable to the negative battery post and tighten the nut securely.
6. Restart the engine: Start your Honda Accord without turning on any accessories like the radio, headlights, or air conditioning. Let the engine run for a few minutes to idle and allow the ECU to relearn basic parameters.
7. Turn off the engine: Switch off your Honda Accord. The ECU reset process is now complete.

By following these steps, you can effectively read the OBD1 codes on your 1992 Honda Accord and reset your ECU after completing repairs. This process empowers you to take a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and understand your car’s diagnostic signals.