Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
someone here can help me with this problem.

This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came on
and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip today
and wonder if I should postpone the trip.

I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the gas
cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.

The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.

Any ideas?

tia

Peter H

 

Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with the
car? any noises?
Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?

There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
forum, but you need to be more specific.

Yuri


"Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
>
>

 

Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with the
car? any noises?
Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?

There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
forum, but you need to be more specific.

Yuri


"Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
>
>

 

Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with the
car? any noises?
Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?

There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
forum, but you need to be more specific.

Yuri


"Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
>
>

 

Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with the
car? any noises?
Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?

There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
forum, but you need to be more specific.

Yuri


"Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
>
>

 

Ok Yuri. The car seems to be running fine. It starts fine and runs well. I
can't say anything about the mileage, because the problem just started and
I've also just bought it and don't have a handle on what the mileage should
be anyway. I've only fueled the car once. I haven't noticed anything unusual
about the exhaust. The manual says that it could be a loose fuel cap or
emissions related. It says that I could void the warranty if I continue to
drive it, but then says that if it was the fuel cap that I would have to
drive it 3 times for the light to reset.....

I've called the dealership and am waiting for a call back, but meanwhile I'm
supposed to be going out of town.

Peter H




"Yuri Nebogatov" <alexneb@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:X2cOb.116732$ld7.1661852@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
> indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with
the
> car? any noises?
> Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?
>
> There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
> forum, but you need to be more specific.
>
> Yuri
>
>
> "Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
> news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> > Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> > someone here can help me with this problem.
> >
> > This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> > running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
> on
> > and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
> today
> > and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
> >
> > I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
> gas
> > cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
> >
> > The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> > could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive
it.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > tia
> >
> > Peter H
> >
> >
>
>

 

Ok Yuri. The car seems to be running fine. It starts fine and runs well. I
can't say anything about the mileage, because the problem just started and
I've also just bought it and don't have a handle on what the mileage should
be anyway. I've only fueled the car once. I haven't noticed anything unusual
about the exhaust. The manual says that it could be a loose fuel cap or
emissions related. It says that I could void the warranty if I continue to
drive it, but then says that if it was the fuel cap that I would have to
drive it 3 times for the light to reset.....

I've called the dealership and am waiting for a call back, but meanwhile I'm
supposed to be going out of town.

Peter H




"Yuri Nebogatov" <alexneb@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:X2cOb.116732$ld7.1661852@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
> indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with
the
> car? any noises?
> Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?
>
> There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
> forum, but you need to be more specific.
>
> Yuri
>
>
> "Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
> news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> > Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> > someone here can help me with this problem.
> >
> > This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> > running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
> on
> > and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
> today
> > and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
> >
> > I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
> gas
> > cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
> >
> > The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> > could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive
it.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > tia
> >
> > Peter H
> >
> >
>
>

 

Ok Yuri. The car seems to be running fine. It starts fine and runs well. I
can't say anything about the mileage, because the problem just started and
I've also just bought it and don't have a handle on what the mileage should
be anyway. I've only fueled the car once. I haven't noticed anything unusual
about the exhaust. The manual says that it could be a loose fuel cap or
emissions related. It says that I could void the warranty if I continue to
drive it, but then says that if it was the fuel cap that I would have to
drive it 3 times for the light to reset.....

I've called the dealership and am waiting for a call back, but meanwhile I'm
supposed to be going out of town.

Peter H




"Yuri Nebogatov" <alexneb@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:X2cOb.116732$ld7.1661852@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
> indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with
the
> car? any noises?
> Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?
>
> There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
> forum, but you need to be more specific.
>
> Yuri
>
>
> "Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
> news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> > Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> > someone here can help me with this problem.
> >
> > This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> > running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
> on
> > and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
> today
> > and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
> >
> > I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
> gas
> > cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
> >
> > The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> > could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive
it.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > tia
> >
> > Peter H
> >
> >
>
>

 

Ok Yuri. The car seems to be running fine. It starts fine and runs well. I
can't say anything about the mileage, because the problem just started and
I've also just bought it and don't have a handle on what the mileage should
be anyway. I've only fueled the car once. I haven't noticed anything unusual
about the exhaust. The manual says that it could be a loose fuel cap or
emissions related. It says that I could void the warranty if I continue to
drive it, but then says that if it was the fuel cap that I would have to
drive it 3 times for the light to reset.....

I've called the dealership and am waiting for a call back, but meanwhile I'm
supposed to be going out of town.

Peter H




"Yuri Nebogatov" <alexneb@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:X2cOb.116732$ld7.1661852@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that the
> indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with
the
> car? any noises?
> Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?
>
> There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
> forum, but you need to be more specific.
>
> Yuri
>
>
> "Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
> news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> > Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> > someone here can help me with this problem.
> >
> > This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> > running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came
> on
> > and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
> today
> > and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
> >
> > I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the
> gas
> > cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
> >
> > The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> > could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive
it.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > tia
> >
> > Peter H
> >
> >
>
>

 

Peter H wrote:
>
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
====================

Peter,

It could be that the previous owner (or one of the people who test-drove
it) had the gas cap too loose. I wouldn't worry about it except, for
your own peace of mind, do all the usual DIY checks (although most have
nothing to do with the MIL indication) Pop out the air filter and smack
it on something to see if it's plugged, check coolant in the rad and
expansion tank, tranny fluid (if auto), listen under the hood for any
vacuum leaks. If somebody has knocked a hose off while poking around, it
could trip the MIL. It would sound like a service station air hose makes
when it leaks at the nozzle.

You should also do the 'lamp check' for the dash indicators to be sure
that all the warning lights are working, since the car is new-to-you.

Congrats, welcome to the big family.

'Curly'

================

 

Peter H wrote:
>
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
====================

Peter,

It could be that the previous owner (or one of the people who test-drove
it) had the gas cap too loose. I wouldn't worry about it except, for
your own peace of mind, do all the usual DIY checks (although most have
nothing to do with the MIL indication) Pop out the air filter and smack
it on something to see if it's plugged, check coolant in the rad and
expansion tank, tranny fluid (if auto), listen under the hood for any
vacuum leaks. If somebody has knocked a hose off while poking around, it
could trip the MIL. It would sound like a service station air hose makes
when it leaks at the nozzle.

You should also do the 'lamp check' for the dash indicators to be sure
that all the warning lights are working, since the car is new-to-you.

Congrats, welcome to the big family.

'Curly'

================

 

Peter H wrote:
>
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
====================

Peter,

It could be that the previous owner (or one of the people who test-drove
it) had the gas cap too loose. I wouldn't worry about it except, for
your own peace of mind, do all the usual DIY checks (although most have
nothing to do with the MIL indication) Pop out the air filter and smack
it on something to see if it's plugged, check coolant in the rad and
expansion tank, tranny fluid (if auto), listen under the hood for any
vacuum leaks. If somebody has knocked a hose off while poking around, it
could trip the MIL. It would sound like a service station air hose makes
when it leaks at the nozzle.

You should also do the 'lamp check' for the dash indicators to be sure
that all the warning lights are working, since the car is new-to-you.

Congrats, welcome to the big family.

'Curly'

================

 

Peter H wrote:
>
> Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I hope
> someone here can help me with this problem.
>
> This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's been
> running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light came on
> and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip today
> and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
>
> I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out the gas
> cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
>
> The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that I
> could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive it.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
====================

Peter,

It could be that the previous owner (or one of the people who test-drove
it) had the gas cap too loose. I wouldn't worry about it except, for
your own peace of mind, do all the usual DIY checks (although most have
nothing to do with the MIL indication) Pop out the air filter and smack
it on something to see if it's plugged, check coolant in the rad and
expansion tank, tranny fluid (if auto), listen under the hood for any
vacuum leaks. If somebody has knocked a hose off while poking around, it
could trip the MIL. It would sound like a service station air hose makes
when it leaks at the nozzle.

You should also do the 'lamp check' for the dash indicators to be sure
that all the warning lights are working, since the car is new-to-you.

Congrats, welcome to the big family.

'Curly'

================

 

In that case, I would recommend not driving it - it's very unlikely that the
problem is the fuel cap. The fuel cap can only trigger the indicator if it's
tightened to less than 3 clicks (I'm sure you've given it plenty more just
in case), at least that's how it is on my 98' civic.

Yuri

"Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
news:jIcOb.67619$ZuL1.47870@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> Ok Yuri. The car seems to be running fine. It starts fine and runs well. I
> can't say anything about the mileage, because the problem just started and
> I've also just bought it and don't have a handle on what the mileage
should
> be anyway. I've only fueled the car once. I haven't noticed anything
unusual
> about the exhaust. The manual says that it could be a loose fuel cap or
> emissions related. It says that I could void the warranty if I continue to
> drive it, but then says that if it was the fuel cap that I would have to
> drive it 3 times for the light to reset.....
>
> I've called the dealership and am waiting for a call back, but meanwhile
I'm
> supposed to be going out of town.
>
> Peter H
>
>
>
>
> "Yuri Nebogatov" <alexneb@videotron.ca> wrote in message
> news:X2cOb.116732$ld7.1661852@wagner.videotron.net ...
> > Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that
the
> > indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with
> the
> > car? any noises?
> > Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?
> >
> > There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
> > forum, but you need to be more specific.
> >
> > Yuri
> >
> >
> > "Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
> > news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> > > Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I
hope
> > > someone here can help me with this problem.
> > >
> > > This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's
been
> > > running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light
came
> > on
> > > and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
> > today
> > > and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
> > >
> > > I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out
the
> > gas
> > > cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
> > >
> > > The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that
I
> > > could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive
> it.
> > >
> > > Any ideas?
> > >
> > > tia
> > >
> > > Peter H
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

 

In that case, I would recommend not driving it - it's very unlikely that the
problem is the fuel cap. The fuel cap can only trigger the indicator if it's
tightened to less than 3 clicks (I'm sure you've given it plenty more just
in case), at least that's how it is on my 98' civic.

Yuri

"Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
news:jIcOb.67619$ZuL1.47870@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> Ok Yuri. The car seems to be running fine. It starts fine and runs well. I
> can't say anything about the mileage, because the problem just started and
> I've also just bought it and don't have a handle on what the mileage
should
> be anyway. I've only fueled the car once. I haven't noticed anything
unusual
> about the exhaust. The manual says that it could be a loose fuel cap or
> emissions related. It says that I could void the warranty if I continue to
> drive it, but then says that if it was the fuel cap that I would have to
> drive it 3 times for the light to reset.....
>
> I've called the dealership and am waiting for a call back, but meanwhile
I'm
> supposed to be going out of town.
>
> Peter H
>
>
>
>
> "Yuri Nebogatov" <alexneb@videotron.ca> wrote in message
> news:X2cOb.116732$ld7.1661852@wagner.videotron.net ...
> > Peter, it's kinda of tough to think of anything if all you say is that
the
> > indicator came on... are there any other symptoms, anything strange with
> the
> > car? any noises?
> > Is your exaust a bit blue-ish?
> >
> > There are some very knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them in this
> > forum, but you need to be more specific.
> >
> > Yuri
> >
> >
> > "Peter H" <peterh@notreallyrogers.com> wrote in message
> > news:XxaOb.65977$ZuL1.2947@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> > > Hi all. New to this group, I guess 'cause I'm a new Honda owner. I
hope
> > > someone here can help me with this problem.
> > >
> > > This is a new to me 2000 Civic. I picked it up on Thursday and it's
been
> > > running fine since. Just last night the Malfunction Indicator Light
came
> > on
> > > and stayed on though. I'm supposed to go out of town for a 2 hour trip
> > today
> > > and wonder if I should postpone the trip.
> > >
> > > I've check in the manual and it doesn't say much except to check out
the
> > gas
> > > cap to make sure it's on tight, which it is.
> > >
> > > The manual says that the problem is likely emissions related and that
I
> > > could damage the vehicle and void the warranty if I continue to drive
> it.
> > >
> > > Any ideas?
> > >
> > > tia
> > >
> > > Peter H
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>