Please forgive me for asking without the code, but its not easy getting it in South Africa.

I have a 2000 S2000, stock.

Last night I was driving to visit my girlfriend, about 10 minutes after starting at about 5,000rpm the car shuddered, wouldn't go further than 5,000rpm, the CEL (not blinking) came on and the engine died. I pulled over to the side, waited a few minutes and started the car, the CEL was gone, I drove another 10km, the car shuddered, the CEL came on, but the egine didn't die, I pulled over to the side, turned the car off, started again, and the CEL was still on, I drove about 4km to the nearest fuel station. I was low on fuel anyways, while refueling I checked the oil levels, water, air filter, etc.... after refueling when I started the car the CEL was gone. I drove slowly and in the low RPM range, didn't notice any problems, then decided to try VTEC - it went in fine, and has been fine ever since? No suddering or any other problems - I'm trying to find someone who can get me the code, in the meantime, any clue as to what it could be, or what I should check? Only thing I could think of is dirty fuel?

Is it save to drive the car now, or should I wait until I can get the code? The CEL is gone.

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

 

Also... if I buy a ODBII usb dongle, will I be able to get the codes myself? Or do I need special software - thanks.

 

Maybe your gas cap was loose or something retarded like that.

 

Don't think so... because then I would have had the issues when I last refueled, which was about two weeks ago, not sure though.

Just went for a quick 5km drive, and it seems fine, goes into VTEC, etc.

*sigh*

 

If your CEL was not blinking (as you stated) and you're certain it was lit ON and it was OFF after you restarted this might be the case:

The CEL on European and US OBD systems may NOT extinguish before three key-on key-off AFTER the error has disappeared. You might not have a normal OBD system in your car, which is not uncommon in countries with varying petrol quality.

If your car is equipped with a EU or US OBD system, the only way the lamp can be reset is by means of an OBD scantool OR disconnection of the battery. You might want to check your battery power cables. Maybe they came loose...? (Might explain why your CEL did not remain lit).

Good luck! Keep us posted!


Siepel

 

I think mine will be the same as the Japanese version?

Excuse my ignorance, or maybe my misunderstanding, but what does three key-on-key-off mean? Restarting three times?

Our fuel here does not go higher than Octane-95, thats at the coast, inland its Octane-93. I'm currently at the coast, but bought the car inland.

I did check the battery, everything is fine.

All I did was pull off the road, and restart the engine, the light lit up for 2-seconds, and went off.

I'll go fetch the manual a bit later on and see what it says about the CEL.

 

Most likely it is bad gas, it doesn't sound like it is really something to worry about that much.

 

Well I hope so.... Will they be able to tell me by taking a reading from the ECU?

Also, with regards to getting a USB ODBBII connector, will I then be able to check myself?

Thanks.

 

First check if you have an OBD port in the car. It's either on driver or passenger side tucked underneath the dashboard. If you have the port, you should be able to 'pull the codes' with a OBDII or EOBD reader. The OBD reader should also be able to read stored codes when the lamp has turned itself off. I'm not sure if a 'cheap' OBD reader can do this though(!!!)

You can also try to do this: OBD THREAD - blink codes guide but I believe only when the yellow indicator is on.

Lastly, if the lamp has turned itself off, the problem is likely to be gone as well..

Take care,


Siepel

 

Thanks - the lamp is off.

I checked my manual, it said if you shut the vehicle off and on again, it will reset itself, and that if it stays on, or continually comes on and off you must have the vehicle checked. Its been fine ever since.

I'll have a look for the port, never even considered it not having one. Whats a good ODB reader that'd connect to a laptop or pda?