Reading the fault codes on early PGM-Fi systems.
The lamps are numbered in a Binary fashion - to work out what code the ECU is displaying, add up the corresponding number for each LED.
Lamp Numbering | |||
8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
0 = Lamp off
1 = Lamp on
The combination above shows Fault 3 - 1+2=3.
CEL = Check engine lamp (in instrument cluster)
No |
Pattern |
CEL | Failure attributable to | Symptom | |||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Control Unit. Short-circuit in meter. |
Engine cannot be started. No noticeable symptom. |
3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | MAP Sensor. Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. |
Poor engine response. Idle speed lowers. Engine tends to stall. |
5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Disconnected MAP sensor vacuum tube. | Engine runs very rich. Idle speed lowers. Engine tends to stall. |
6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Coolant
temperature sensor. Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. |
Difficult to start from cold. Poor engine response. Problems starting. |
7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Throttle position
sensor. Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. |
Poor throttle response. Problems starting from cold. |
8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TDC Sensor (in
distributor). Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. |
Irregular idle speed. Poor response. Engine will not start. |
9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | CYL Sensor (in
distributor). Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. |
Irregular idle speed. Poor response. Engine will not start. |
10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Air temperature
sensor. Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. |
Irregular idle speed when cold. |
11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | IMA Sensor (idle
mix adjust). Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. |
Emissions problems. |
13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | PA Sesnor (atmospheric pressure. Defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor. | Poor performance at high altitude. |
This table is an edited version of Honda's original. Notice that the numbers corresponding to each error are also tie up with the main fault code list here.