My 1999 Honda Accord "maintenance required" light flashes about 10 or so times at start up only. Then it stops and doesn't come back on at all....until it's killed and restarted. What the heck? Is this just a light that tells me I need my oil changed (which I don't, but I understand that you have to re-set this light?), or does it mean something? Cuz this thing has 280,000 miles on it and I'm just waiting for it to lay down on me.

 

Take a look in the owner's manual to get the exact meaning of the ten flashes. I think that light is to warn you that you are due for some sort of maintenance at a certain mileage.

The manual should tell you how to reset that light if you already took care of the maintenance items due at your mileage.

 

Maintenance reminder, simply means it's been 7500 miles since it was last reset. It's a reminder to change your oil.

In a little while, it'll stay lit up constantly. You might not be able to reset it until that happens?

1) Key OFF. Press & hold the odometer reset button.
2) Continue holding that button while turning the key ON (no need to actually start engine)
3) Continue holding that button for 20 more seconds (seems like forever)
4) Lamp will flash a few times then stay off.
DONE!

 

Have the same exact problem. Got an Oil & Filter change recently so I have not idea what it is. It flashes like 10 times when I start my car but then it goes off. Tried reseting odometer button but nothing changed.

Im going to try one more time the odemeter reset strategy. If it does not work Im giving up. At least I know the oil and filter is not the problem!

 

KO23,

you need to follow JimBlakes directions to the T. It will work. This is just a maintenance minder and is nothing smarter than a light based on a predetermined mileage interval.

 

Well, the other thing, like I said, it might NOT be possible to reset it until the maintenance lamp comes on solid & stays solid. The flashing-then-turns-off business is an early warning. Wait a few days for the lamp to come on solid then try resetting it by those instructions.

 

IDK I've been able to reset mine whenever it started blinking by doing the aforementioned steps. On both a 98 and an 02. no to mention countless other 6gens

 

Praise be to this post. I have been trying to remember for the last week to look this issue up cuz my 04 is doing the same thing now. Thank you! I will be trying this on my lunch break today, it has been irritating the hell out of me.

 

IT FINALLY WORKED! I guess I was just doing it wrong. I tried yesterday again and the light disappeared. Now it will not get in my nerves again.

Thanks!

 

Still has plenty of life in it if you take good care of it. Hondas are loyal!