How To Diagnose Your Honda Civic Check Engine Light With a Paper Clip For Free

You don't need to take your car to a mechanic and pay a diagnostic fee for your check engine light (CEL) or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), or even buy an OBDII scanner tool. On this 1996 Honda Civic and many other Hondas, you can find the code by using a paper clip.
This should apply to at least 1992-2005 Honda Civics, and many other Hondas from the same era.
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1996+ OBD2 Diagnostic Trouble Codes: honda-tech.com/forums/honda-ac...
Pre 1996 OBD1 Codes: www.ericthecarguy.com/hondaac...

[@juliamiller3511]

This is a life saving video! Thank you so much! It worked for my ‘99 CRV

[@domienik1984]

Got it, it's working for me, now i have to swap that part and I will see. Thanks man.

[@deancoronado4898]

This works on Ol' Dirty Bastard, too? What a neat trick!

[@soopainfinite]

To anyone in here that tried this but has a solid cel light, that just means you've put the clip in the connector wrong. It's gotta connect exactly where the pin is. I hope this helped anyone having trouble.

[@thatxrguy9051]

How so??? How do I know ??????

[@soopainfinite]

@thatxrguy9051 if the cel light stays solid, it's not connected properly, it should start blinking if it's connected right

[@AbdurRahim-ds4nw]

How do i connect it, the right way ?

[@leonadeer7965]

Duddddeeee thanks omg! This is the best video ever

[@Jademyheart]

Your the best buddy 👌👍

[@MikeKollin]

Thanks Man!! Much Appreciated. #1 Can a fairly new O2 Sensor go out after 3 1/2 years of use? I also replaced the Catalytic Converter... Thanks again!!

[@rhettgacayan5958]

better to wtach eric the carguy best explanation

[@CarsForNoobs]

he makes good videos, I would recommend them!

[@Olexandr_nightpoison]

And if I have one slow and very long blink, does this mean a lambda sensor?

[@mopar-rp9jr]

Thanks the video help me I have a 2000 Honda Civic ex coupe

[@LusoboyaIvan-je7hh]

Nice work

[@amandasookoo2134]

Good job

[@TrishCanyon8]

Thank you ❤

[@josefreitas4154]

thanks.

[@CxC_Maths]

If I’m getting continuous long blinking what does that mean???

[@beenusdiary4770]

my civic has a 6 pin connector, im not sure if this is going to work or not

[@405ruben]

I have a 98 Acura CL, will this same method work for me?

[@venustamayo1615]

Hi there what site is your source for all code.... couldbyou give me a list of code error for honda

[@CarsForNoobs]

honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/check-engine-light-codes-cel-diagnostic-trouble-codes-dtc-malfunction-indicator-light-mil-1490107/

[@aldainfante3075]

How I know that my battery sensor doesn't work in my honda civic ex 2012????

[@flyingsneetch]

Hi! Thanks for the video - interesting - but I don't have the loose blue connecter in my wheel well - I have no wires at all visible under there. I tried pulling back the cover but still saw nothing like what you show. Mine is a 2005 Civic. Any idea where it might be in my car? Also, I was wondering how you figure out what CEL code your blinking check-engine pattern corresponds to, as you don't specify this in the video. Thanks!

[@CarsForNoobs]

not sure if the 2001+ has it. 1992-2000 does. For the codes, at the end of the video I explain it, and there is a link in the description to a site that has an explanation for all the codes.

[@suzdupe]

Super helpful video. Just want to say that upfront before asking for help. lol. I have a 2005 Civic EX. Looked around until I found a blue port, disconnected it, and…it has three pin channels. 🙄🙄 Nothing with the 2005 EX is simple (minor rant below lol). Linear alignment. Maybe one is a ground? Or…I assumed the ports are color-coded and the colors aren’t repeated…wonder if I should reconsider that prior and keep looking. Guess I try looking a little harder, first. Don’t want to accidentally blow up my radio instead of triggering a diagnostic. Then maybe I’ll try creating a short (only three possible combos). But in parallel wanted to ask: Any thoughts?? Check my logic and/or lmk if you have any other ideas, plz? 😇 Tangent 1: You know, since I started teaching myself diy auto repair, I’ve noticed the combo of EX + last year before redesign means I have a surprising number of variations on configuration - most of which make the job harder. Tangent 2: Skimmed through your video backlog, saw one with Talenti in the title, and almost literally rofl’d. I think this video really needs its own comment where I can give this the full treatment it deserves. But just in case I forget to revisit => that video made me feel seen af. 👊🏻.

[@CarsForNoobs]

I am not sure about the 7th generation, never had one, I would think you couldn't mess anything up with the plug you describe bit can't take any liability xd. You can look up a video for 7th generation 2001-2005. I can't believe how many people have trouble opening the talenti, would have never thought that would get so many views!

[@nobodyspecial3325]

if I cycle key and light stays solid doesn't blink or stay on for 2 sec it's lit all the time that s a code zero a bad ecru I have right anyone thanks ?

[@soopainfinite]

You've probably figured it out already but that means you didn't connect it properly... It's gotta connect to the pins... You've probably connected it wrong

[@finbarodwyer2170]

On a slightly different subject if i have no fault codes showing but i jump the 2 connectors and i have solid engine light, what does this mean???

[@DamnChinn]

Finbar Odwyer for reals mines like that too. I jump the two connectors, turn on the car. The CEL is just on but not blinking???

[@jamesramirez5398]

Same with me

[@ricardosom7766]

Hi, let me ask this crazy question because I don’t understand how to figure this out. My car has no engine light on, but having some issues with the idling going up and down so I’m dealing with that decided to check if it has any codes. Here’s what a found 3 fast ones and 1 long one. Now is that 310, 31 or 13? Could you please explain it to me? Thank you.

[@LandonsBuildz]

What’d you find out? I’m about to do this

[@mcmxcviii4072]

Bro I tried this but my check engine didn't blink

[@JuanGarcia-wc9sb]

Was your car like sputtering upon acceleration?

[@huwjones4291]

I have a Honda Civic 2.2 CDTI 2007. It's a great engine but electrics causing misery. My EML is on. When i had it diagnosed the issue was either the swirl paddle of the maf sensor. I put a new sensor in & it made car worse! Went straight to limp mode? I understand from You Tube that there's either a swirl paddle or a maf sensor on this model but not both? That doesn't make much sense to me? Car drives lovely but that light is annoying & it'll fail next mot. Anyone?

[@chasajr]

73, 74, 53 and 42 are what I saw for codes. Some are not listed but it all looks like it has to do with a fuel censor causing all the other codes, maybe something else in the fuel system. Ya should follow up and post what it was...

[@Straw_Hat_Gamer]

This didn't work, IDK if it was the clip I used or not but it didn't flash it just stayed on. Im also not to sure if it's my car, 1990 Honda Civic EX Sedan.

[@listenbro3673]

I have the same issue in my 90 integra

[@santagrifa7063]

I did the clip check engine light doesn’t flash but ik car is bad

[@fritzfromswitzerland]

Where is the OBD 2 plug ???? Im searching for hours help me pls

[@petedevries5326]

RaSputin0007 it should be under the dash on the drivers side. It's a black connector near the bottom of the plastic panel.

[@SgtHank-nq2ze]

So after all the checking on codes ect. What was the problem with your Honda ?

[@ShaddyWoohooMan]

Cylinder 4 misfire or random misfire.

[@joebudden2966]

The title of this video 😂😂

[@eghatchsosa]

What does it mean if it just keeps blinking and doesnt stop

[@alexolivo4713]

That means u need to have it serviced ASAP DONT DRIVE IT

[@user-nk5yi9lw3q]

2005

[@dhonne0873]

why its not working for my 1995 honda civic?

[@mathewdecorse5748]

I know I'm late but it's probably because you don't have an OBD2 system. 96 and new have it.

[@stevenwooldridge8908]

Did you fix the miss fire

[@CarsForNoobs]

Yeah, the code went away when I replaced the spark plugs

[@stevenwooldridge8908]

@@CarsForNoobs I had the same code because my battery was going bad

[@stevenkotyk5806]

Just go buy a damn OBD2 scanner, they are 30 bucks on Amazon.

[@1pelpa_dondramarama255]

I can’t read this

[@LusoboyaIvan-je7hh]

What about Toyota

[@ethancliver8848]

I’ve got a 2000 and can’t find the plug.

[@McDiamondspvp]

Ethan Cliver did u find it if you did lmk what color port is

[@trentdickson5518]

I know I’m years late but behind the right side panel on passenger side down by your feet the blue connecter should be connected to a green protector case

[@ebrahimvally1037]

I tried this and my engine light is staying solid and not flashing

[@alvarofernandez9964]

the same happens to me. could you figure out what it means?

[@ml-fishing1341]

Great video, too bad I have a 2015

[@rullmourn1142]

OBD2 scanners can be had pretty cheap now.

[@jamesbaker1392]

Right? 30 bucks on Amazon lol

[@jasonmorris2813]

I would like to watch you hook a OBD2 scanner up to it🤪

[@kamalyazid4291]

But this car use OBD1

[@rhettgacayan5958]

how come @ 0:30 said that you use the paper clif ten years ago..then @ 2:00 you said that this is your first time attemp to use it...lol what is true...and what is not..

[@CarsForNoobs]

I think I meant it was my first try, this time. I didn't practice off camera.

[@mikemardis403]

You, uuuuuhhhhhm, are uhhhhmmm, a uhhhmmm dit ti dit. Why would you do this?

[@CarsForNoobs]

?? you don't like the way I talk? sorry I'm trying to improve but that's just how I talk. I'm not trying to win oscars, just help people with information :)

[@gametrailerman360]

Why even comment dude that's just rude he helped you with your problem and it also is proven that people who say uh are smarter because they are actually thinking about what they are going to say before they say it

[@pufferfish5980]

Mike Mardis people like u deserve to get a punch in the face ...

[@granade6]

Thanks for sharing this information. Can I ask what colour the wires were for the blue plug? I think mines connected into the big green outlet next to it for some reason but not sure.

[@TrishCanyon9]

Thank you ❤

[@CarsForNoobs]

You're welcome 😊