Sup all? Just got my first Honda, a '98 Prelude (silver, 5 speed, bone stock...for now) after messing with F-Bodies, Mustangs, Saabs, and even old-school Turbo Dodges (3 Daytonas, a Shadow, and a Rampage). Love the Prelude...now I know what all the fuss is about with these Hondas. But anyway.

My check engine light was coming on right after I bought the car, so I brought it back to the dealer to get it looked at. It was setting a catalyst inefficiency code of some kind. Anyway, I got the car back today.

But theres something wrong. When I turn the key to "On", all the lights on the dash light up like they're supposed to...except the check engine light. Owner's manual says that it should come on for a few seconds after turning the car to "On".

So what I'd like to know is...any owners of 97-up Preludes, your check engine light comes on when you start the car, right? I think this guy is trying to screw me and just disabled my check engine light, but I'd like to have more proof before I go accusing the guy, ya know?

It doesn't seem to be affecting my performance at all...though what do I know, its the only Honda I've ever driven.

Any help ya'll could give would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

 

Yes the check engine light illuminates every time you turn on your car to show that it works. It then turns off with all the other lights.

1) have them fix your check engine light
2) get the DTC code(s) that are set. Write the numbers down, I can't tell you how many times ppl f the #'s up. (goto autozone or murrays, they read them for you)
3) You'll fail emmision just because a DTC is set.
4) If your super lucky your dealer will fix all these problems for you. (doubt it though, they are already scamming you)

Dealers do this all the time, they "clear" any engine codes/SRS and sell a used car. The codes don't get set untill it goes thru a few normal drive cycles. A 5 min test drive doesn't count.

So.. you bought the car and tough, you should have got it checked out before hand. Dealers are doing this even on "Pre-Owned Certified Vehicles" I should know I bought an Acura that did the exact same thing.

Good Luck, you'll need it.

 

Yeah, I gotta take it to Autozone tommorow to see if its still setting a code. If its still setting the code and the light isn't coming on, I suppose I'll have to go have a few words with the dealer.

 

man sounds down right shady
damn used car dealers
good luck man

 

One sure way to find out, pull the cluster (4 bolts and 3 plugs) and see if they physically removed the bulb. You'll see where the bulb was in there originally because the copper lining around the hole will be slightly scratched up.

 

Yep, had Autozone check the codes again today. I actually have 2 now (cylinder 1 misfire and O2 sensor slow reply, bank 1 sensor 1), and the check engine light is still off. I'm gonna pull the cluster and see what up. Thanks for all your help.

 

how much did you pay for the car? it sounds like a lemon. best of luck!

 

was this a honda dealer?

 

$6000, not from a Honda dealer.

I pulled the dash apart, sure enough, they just pulled the bulb for the check engine light.

Called the guy after and ripped him a new one. He claims it was this mechanic he pays under the table, who knows. It's going to get fixed, at his expense, by a shop I know.

 

Now, wasn't that nice of them. :goodjob: You would have never had any engine problems again! :rant: