Check engine light in 2000 Honda civic Si?

Check engine light on a 2000 honda civic LX?

• I have a 2000 Honda Civic LX, and the check engine light is on, and the car idles really low (just above 0), but does not stall out. We had it hooked up to a diagnostic machine (we ...show more

• Answer:

  The code P1381 is an indication that the ignition coil is breaking down and causing an intermittant loss of the signal. Honda had a service advisory on that code that said if you get the 1381 that the coil is probably faulty. A failing ignition coil would generate a lower voltage (weaker) spark that would cause your low idle. So the first thing to do is to have the ignition coil changed before it fails entirely and the car stops. In this case, the check engine light is doing its job of alerting you to a problem, so take care of it. the P1399 code is just a general failure code that is generated at the same time as the P1381 code and will go away when you fix the primary problem. Also, you don't provide any maintenance history on the vehicle but based on that mileage the car is due for a valve adjustment if it hasn't been done. The valve adjustment is the most critical adjustment on that car with regard to idle quality. The maintenance schedule on that car called for the replacement of the spark plugs, a valve adjustment and idle adjustment every 30,000 miles. If you can't remember the last time it was done its probably time to do that as well. beyond that, the normal maintenance items such as the distributor cap, wires, and rotor should be checked and replaced if they're worn out. start by changing the ignition coil and go from there. hope that helps