Five (5) Check Engine Light Flashes While Key-On/Engine-Off on Honda Accord
You are correct about the flashing check engine light. There is a detail to pay close attention too however. Is the check engine light flashing while the engine is running? If so, this is an indication that there is a serious engine emission problem which needs to be diagnosed/repaired prior to your vehicle being able to pass the smog inspection. If this is not the case, and the check engine light only flashes 5 times while the ignition is on and engine not running, read on.
Once you turn your Honda Accord's ignition is turned on (engine not running) the check engine light should illuminate and stay on. Once the engine is started the check engine light should turn off. If while the ignition is on and the engine not running, the check engine light turns on and within 3 seconds begins to flash five (5) times, this indicates that the vehicle's emission monitors are not yet ready for the smog inspection. The check engine light flashes will not tell us which emission monitors are not ready. Using a scan tool you'll be able to find out which monitors have completed and which still need more driving time.
On a 2000 and newer gasoline powered vehicle, all monitors except the EVAP monitor must be complete/ready in order for the vehicle to pass the smog check. The vehicle will not pass the smog check without the OBD-II test. Below we indicate the OBD-II Emission Monitor requirements to pass the smog check.
Gasoline vehicles:
- 1996-1999 model year vehicles will be allowed one incomplete readiness/emission monitor
- 2000 and newer model year vehicles will need all emission monitors in READY or COMPLETE status, with the exception of the EVAP monitor. AN incomplete evaporative monitor will not cause a smog check failure. It will be the only monitor allowed to be incomplete on a 2000 & newer vehicle.
You may need to continue driving your Honda Accord in order to complete the Drive Cycle and allow the emission monitors to complete. We indicate the driving pattern required to get your Accord's monitors ready for the smog inspection below.
Make Your Honda Accord Emission Monitors Ready - Drive Cycle
Take extra caution when performing the drive cycle on public roadways. Perform the drive cycle at your own risk. If you feel you might not be able to perform the drive cycle safely, or obey all traffic laws while performing the drive cycle, seek the assistance of a Honda repair center or certified smog check station in Daly City which will be able to perform the drive cycle on a dynamometer and while utilizing specialized OBD II drive cycle readiness tools/scanner/computer.
A. COLD START: Begin from Cold Start, and ignition in OFF position for at least 1 hour. Ensure your Honda Accord's fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full and engine coolant temperature is below 122°F and within 11°F of the ambient air temperature. Do not leave the key on prior to the cold start.
B. IDLE TIME: Start the engine (do not drive) and allow to idle for 2 1/2 minutes with the air conditioner on and rear defroster on. During this period the ECU will be running the Oxygen Sensor Heater self-test, Air Injection System Passive Air test, EVAP Purge "No Flow" test, Misfire Detection.
C. DRIVE: Turn off the air conditioner and rear defroster and begin driving. When possible, speed up to 55 mph. The ECU will now run self-tests on the Misfire Detection, Fuel Trim, and EVAP Purge Flow.
D. HOLD STEADY: Keep vehicle speed steady at 55 mph for three (3) minutes. During this time the Oxygen Sensor O2 response, Air Intrusive (AIS System), EGR Flow, Purge Valve, Misfire Detection, and Fuel Trim diagnostics will be performed.
E. DECELERATE: Slowly let off the accelerator pedal. Do not brake or shift in order to slow down. It is important to let your Accord coast gradually, slowing down to 20 mph. The ECU will once again self-test the EGR System, EVAP Purge System and Long Term Fuel Trims.
F. ACCELERATE: Accelerate, using 3/4 throttle, until 55-60 mph is reached. This will perform the same self tests as during the first acceleration step C.
G. HOLD STEADY: Hold steady speed once again. This time at 55mph for five minutes. During this time, in addition to running the self-tests as during the first HOLD STEADY step, the ECU will perform the catalyst monitor diagnostics. If the catalyst (Catalytic Converter) is marginal or the battery has been disconnected, it may take 5 complete driving cycles to determine the state of the catalyst,or in order to Complete the CAT Monitor.
H. DECELERATE: This will perform the same diagnostics as in Step E. Remember not to depress the brakes or shift gears during deceleration.
This should complete the drive cycle on your Honda Accord. To ensure all monitors are complete use a scan tool. We recommend completing this drive cycle twice in case in any step timing or speed was not achieved.
