Acura Check Engine Light On Troubleshoot Guide

Does a Check Engine Light illuminate your Acura Dashboard? Check engine light on an Acura can come on for a number of reasons including faulty spark plugs, bad catalytic converter, bad ignition coils, extremely dirty engine air filter, and even a loose gas cap.

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To find out why your Acura check engine light is on, you will need an inexpensive OBD2 scanner that can read and clear the codes after you fix the problem. In this article, we take a look at the common problem, symptoms, and how to read Acura engine codes yourself.

Symptoms

Common symptoms that Acura owners notice when CEL comes on are:

• Engine Missifre
• Car Shakes
• Poor Acceleration
• Variable Torque Management VTM-4 Light On
• Check engine light flashing on and off
• Check the engine light, and TCS comes on
• Check engine light blinking

What does the Acura check engine light mean?

Acura check engine light (CEL) turns on to let you know that the engine control unit (ECU) has detected a problem. A fault code is stored in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and can be retrieved with an OBD-II scanner, as shown below.

When your Acura check engine light remains on, the problem could be something as simple as a loose gas cap. It can also indicate a serious engine issue, a problem with the emission system, or in some cases, even an indication of a problem with the automatic transmission.

What problems trigger the check engine light on an Acura?

While many possible problems will trigger the Acura check engine light, you will find some of the most common problems below.

1. Worn spark plugs
2. Defective Ignition Coil
3. Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor
4. Oxygen Sensor
5. Catalytic Converter
6. Loose Gas Cap
7. Crankshaft Position Sensor
8. Bad thermostat
9. A defective coolant temperature sensor
10. EVAP issue

Why is Acura Check Engine Light Flashing On and Off?

If your Acura check engine light is blinking, it usually means there is an engine misfire.

Fuel is not getting burned in the cylinder. In such cases, the engine will also shake noticeably.

Do not drive an Acura for an extended time if the check engine light is flashing. Driving with the check engine light blinking increases the risk of causing damage to the engine.

How to Diagnose and Reset Acura Check Engine Light

You need to read the codes to understand why the ACURA check engine light is on. This is a simple procedure you can perform using an OBD-II scanner.

If you want a more professional scanner that can read all control modules of your Acura vehicle, use the YOUCANIC Full System Scanner, which runs through every control module on an Acura and supports all make and models.

What You Need

• YOUCANIC Scanner

A basic OBD-II Scanner that can read and clear check engine fault codes from the Engine Control Unit.

Procedure

The following procedure will allow you to read codes and reset the check engine light on Acura cars.

1. Locate OBD-II Port under the dashboard on the driver’s side. This is a 16-pin port. All 1996 and newer ACURA vehicles have this port under the dashboard.

   

   Plugin your handheld scanner into the OBD-II port.

2. Turn the key to position II. All the dashboard lights will turn on. Do not start the engine. If your ACURA has a Start/Stop button, you must press the Start button without pressing the brakes.
3. Allow the OBD-II scanner to turn on and connect to your ACURA Engine Control Unit (ECU).
   
   
4. Read Codes. Read ACURA check engine light codes from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) using your OBD-II scanner.

Write down the codes and research the problem before you replace any parts. Once you fix the problems you found, come back to the main menu, and instead of Reading Codes, choose Clear Codes and press OK.

What does it mean when Acura checks the engine light flashes five times?

Acura check engine light may flash five times when you turn the key to position II but don’t start the car. This happens when the fault codes are cleared with an OBD-II scanner or if the battery is disconnected.

• It means that the emission systems are not checked by the ECU self-test, also known as the emission readiness test.
• After a few driving cycles (usually within a week), emission readiness (I/M) is complete, and you can pass the emissions test.
• If the Acura light is flashing five times, you won’t pass a state emission test until the emission readiness test is completed.
• Drive the vehicle for a few days, and your Acura check engine light should stop blinking once the I/M test is complete.

We hope you find the Acura Check Engine Light On Troubleshoot Guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Acura.