Malfunction indicator lamp - again, after expensive repairs - weather-related?

bigeasybound

2004 Honda CRV with 76000 miles

A year go while driving out of town on the interstate in very cold temps my malfunction indicator lamp came on. The manual said that "one of the engine's emission control systems may have a problem." I had the car towed and repaired. The repair shop performed the following:

- replace intake manifold runner control solenoid
- replace serpentine belt tensioner
- serviced BG fuel injection/induction

I am nowhere near that repair shop now and want to explore options before I take the car to my regular mechanic.

Anyone else have a similar problem and corresponding repairs? Or is this a known fault?

Is there a chance that the indicator lamp is affected by the cold temps?

I know that a shop computer can perform an analysis, but wanted to seek advice first.

Mr_Shiftright

Well given that those repairs were done a year ago, it's quite possible that the new MIL light is for some new problem. You really have no choice but to have the car scanned to see what the code indicates---and even then, the code does not tell you which component to replace--it only tells you which circuit or system is in distress. Extracting the code is the first step in diagnosing the problem. Without the code you would be working blind, and merely guessing.

Stores like Autozone or OReilly Auto Parts might lend you a code reader. If you can extract a code post it here and we will try to help you.

bigeasybound

Thank you for responding so quickly to my post. I'm updating the conversation in case anyone else needs the info.

The light blinked on and off one more time, and since then it has been off. I do not live near any of the auto stores mentioned so I was not able to get a code read.

I visited some other forums about this issue and other drivers reported that the cause was a sensor or gas tank cap. Here are some quotes:

"it was a combination of low gas level and the cap not being properly tightned. He put it on the machine (?) no codes came up he retightened the cap and the light went out."

"According to the manual 1) "tightening the cap will not turn the indicator off immediately,it takes 3 days of normal driving.2) If the indicator comes on repeatedly even though it may turn off while driving have the V checked by the dealer,if you keep driving with the MIL on you could damage the emissions controls and engine".

"Maybe something to do with the float switch (or whatever the V uses to measure gas) being faulty. Or if the light blinks for a few seconds, then turns off when yo start it, that is usually a service indication. I've never had the light pop up for the gas cap, but I usually tighten it the 3 clicks like it says on the gas door, so that may be the cause. My old car you could drive without a gas cap and it didn't say anything ever... "

"I went to a Honda dealer and have it ran a diagnostic test. The code was P0134 - Primary Oxygen Sensor Stuck Lean, and unfortunately, this is the expensive part to replace. It cost me around $500 to fix."

It's interesting that my manual does not refer to the gas cap or a sensor at all. The only information it presents for this particular light is the emissions system.

Mr_Shiftright

Sometimes the CEL will come on and then go off---could have been a temporary misfire or some burp in the emissions systems. Glad to hear it went to sleep again!