Light came on 2 days after changing my air filter. Took the air cover off today to inspect and noticed that it broke/cracked at the bottom (the actual air housing). Would that be a cause of the check engine light? I see I can get a replacement air cover for ~$30.00 or should I take into the dealer and let them diagnostic it?

2004 Honda Accord EX
Automatic Transmission
55,000 Miles

 

go to autozone or knetchs and theyll give you a reading they might tell you what it is but if you post the code here people will tell you what it is also, they check the cel for free.

 

is it possible any debris could have been sucked into the inlet

 

The air flows upwards thru the filter. So if the crack is in the bottom of the airfilter housing, that won't necessarily let dirt into the engine. To suck dirt in, there has to be a path for unfiltered air to get into the UPPER part of the housing.

Still, go to someplace like AutoZone to get the actual error code number.

 

Hey guys, here is the error code from AutoZone:
P0420

Probable Causes:
1) Catalytic Converter defective
2) Engine misfire
3) Large vacuum leak
4) Engine oil leakage into exhaust-valve guide seals, piston rings

Would the large vacuum leak be the cracks in the air housing?

 

hey buddy
if u go to dealer they will charge u alot if the light still on open up your hood and disconnect the battery cables that will reset the the computer BUT if its a major problem the light will come back and then u have to take to a shop to scan for the codes.

 

I still dont see how a crack in the LOWER part of the airfilter housing can be a vacuum leak. Look for disconnected hoses; maybe whatever caused the damage has also pulled something loose?

 

I swear I double checked for something else unplugged but I'll double check again. Does anyone know how to reset the check engine light?

 

Last time I checked, P0420 was a Catalyst System Below Efficiency code, meaning either the secondary O2 sensor or catalytic converter needs replacing...

 

And... in 2004 the ECU is pretty good at telling the difference between a bad O2 sensor vs. a bad catalyst.

When you say the BOTTOM of the air filter housing, do you mean that part BELOW the air filter? The part that stays mounted in the car when you remove the filter?

You have NOT told us whether you have a V-6 or a 4-cyl engine.

If you have the ULEV engine, there should be a MAF sensor in the air filter housing. Has that been damaged?