I was going over "A Listing of All ECU Error Codes (OBD-II)" sticky and a question arose. Is there any book/file/thread out there that breaks down each CEL Code with specific instructions on how to tackle each one. I understand that the CEL will tell me whats wrong with the car. But i ran across an issue with my Acura MDX a few months ago with a CEL...i took it to auto zone to get the code read and they told me it was P****(forgot the code) which was the fuel tank pressure sensor. well since i was at auto zone i asked them to tell me how much that sensor was, it was like a $150ish sensor. i took it to a Honda dealership and they told me it was just my gas cap, after replacing it the CEL went away.
The point im trying to make is that if it wasn't for me taking it to the dealership i would have just went with the sensor, from lack of knowledge with the way the Code system works. I work on aircraft communication and navigation systems for the air force, and when we have issues with our systems and get stuck on a problem we refer to Technical Order Books, basically a step by step instruction book that will tell you what to do first in a series of simple to more difficult tasks to accomplish and resolve the problem. I figured the mechanic at the Honda dealership used something along those lines to address the CEL on my MDX.
If we had access to this type of info for our cars it would make trouble shooting CEL's easier. I see a lot of "i got a CEL light and have P***** what do i do" threads out there and i think it would help those ppl as well as myself when these issues occur.
and if this is in the wrong section mod's please move it, i figured since the sticky is in this section, this post should be too.