Check engine light came on while driving?

I drive a 1996 Honda Accord LX coupe. The car already has a hole in the exhaust by the heat shield. I was driving up a hill and suddenly my car went from slightly loud to really loud to where my car vibrates when I accelerate. A few seconds later, the check engine light came on. I don't suspect anything to be wrong with the engine as it runs just fine and the sound comes from underneath the car.

Anyone have any idea what it could be?

I drive a 1996 Honda Accord LX coupe. The car already has a hole in the exhaust by the heat shield. I was driving up a hill and suddenly my car went from slightly loud to really loud to where my car vibrates when I accelerate. A few seconds later, the check engine light came on. I don't suspect anything to be wrong with the engine as it runs just fine and the sound comes from underneath the car.

Anyone have any idea what it could be? I'd expect a P0420 from the exhaust leak.

The first rule of troubleshooting: make everything right, then work on the remaining problems. Fix that exhaust. Did you check to see if your muffler is still there? Why not look under your car? The hole probably upset the oxygen sensor, sometimes there's more than 1 in an exhaust system.
Or maybe you ripped it out by hitting something, which is why the sound was loud. It's a pretty safe bet it's a problem with your exhaust system don't you think? Did you get the CODE number, I can't give you any answer without the cod being identified. Since I said that, your O2 sensor, might be bad (a wild guess) Until you get the codes read there's no reason to even try and speculate. Go get the codes read for free at an auto store. If it's a lean code or anything related to 02 sensors get the exhaust leak repaired first, erase the codes and see if the CEL comes back on. The OBD II system only monitors sensors, not exhaust leaks.

Did you check to see if your muffler is still there?

Why not look under your car?

The hole probably upset the oxygen sensor, sometimes there's more than 1 in an exhaust system.
Or maybe you ripped it out by hitting something, which is why the sound was loud.

It's a pretty safe bet it's a problem with your exhaust system don't you think?

Did you get the CODE number, I can't give you any answer without the cod being identified. Since I said that, your O2 sensor, might be bad (a wild guess)

Until you get the codes read there's no reason to even try and speculate.

Go get the codes read for free at an auto store. If it's a lean code or anything related to 02 sensors get the exhaust leak repaired first, erase the codes and see if the CEL comes back on. The OBD II system only monitors sensors, not exhaust leaks.