Question about reading ECU codes.

ok heres the deal. i have a hunting idle problem, first step would be read any stored codes in the ECU. after jumping the termanals on the service connector and turned the key to ON the usual stuf happens except the the CEL comes on and stays on no flashes, none it just stays light till you pull the jumper. then it goes out and the ABS light comes on. I was lead to believe that if there were no codes the CEL would come on once as a "hello" then go off. any ideas?
also if it matters or not just so you know it a 92 Prelude si.