Reading and Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes
How to Troubleshoot the VSA System
System Indicator
This system has four indicators:
- ABS indicator (A)
- Brake system indicator (BRAKE) (B)
- VSA indicator (C)
- VSA activation indicator (D)
When the system detects a problem, it will turn the appropriate indicators on. Depending on the failure, the VSA modulator-control unit determines which indicators are turned on.
When the system is OK, each indicator comes on for about 2 seconds after turning the ignition switch to ON (II), then goes off.
ABS indicator
The ABS indicator comes on when the ABS function is not working. The brakes still work like a conventional system.
Brake system indicator
The brake system indicator comes on when the EBD (electric brake distribution) function is not working, when the parking brake is applied, and/or the brake fluid level is low.
VSA indicator
The VSA indicator comes on, when the VSA function is not working.
VSA activation indicator
The VSA activation indicator blinks when the VSA function is activating. The VSA activation indicator comes on when the VSA is turned OFF by the VSA OFF switch or when VSA function is lost.
ABS and VSA indicators go off
Each indicator will go off after a problem goes away, but the timing which the VSA modulator-control unit turns off the indicators varies between DTCs.
- DTC 61 or 62:
The indicators go off automatically when the system returns to normal.
- DTC 11, 13, 15, 17, 25, 26, 27*, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 54, 66, 68, 81, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 91**, 113, 114 121, 122, 123, 124, 131*, 132, 133, 134, 137, or 138
The indicators stay on until the ignition switch is turned to LOCK (0), whether or not the system returns to normal.
*: There are some cases that the indicators stay on until the vehicle is driven after the system returns to normal.
**: There are some cases that the indicators go off automatically when the system returns to normal.
- DTC 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 51, 52, or 53:
The indicators stay on until the vehicle is driven after the system returns to normal.
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)
- The memory can hold 10 DTCs. However, when the same DTC is detected more than once, the more recent DTC is written over the earlier one. Therefore, when the same problem is detected repeatedly, it is memorized as a single DTC.
- The DTCs are indicated in the order they occur.
- The DTCs are memorized in the EEPROM. Therefore, the memorized DTCs cannot be erased by disconnecting the battery. Do the specified procedures to clear the DTCs.
Self-diagnosis
- Self-diagnosis can be classified into two categories:
- Initial diagnosis: Done right after the ignition switch is turned to ON (II) and until the ABS and VSA indicators go off.
- Regular diagnosis: Done right after the initial diagnosis until the ignition switch is turned to LOCK (0).
- When the system detects a problem, the VSA modulator-control unit shifts to fail-safe mode.
Kickback
The pump motor operates when the VSA modulator-control unit is functioning, and the fluid in the reservoir is forced out to the master cylinder, causing kickback at the brake pedal.
Pump Motor
- The pump motor operates when the VSA modulator-control unit is functioning.
- The VSA modulator-control unit checks the pump motor operation one time after completing initial diagnosis during regular diagnosis when the vehicle is driven over 10 mph (15 km/h). You may hear the motor operate at this time, but it is normal.
Brake Fluid Replacement/Air Bleeding
Brake fluid replacement and air bleeding procedures are identical to the procedures used on vehicles not equipped with the VSA system. Service and Repair
How to Troubleshoot DTCs
The troubleshooting procedures assume that the cause of the problem is still present and the ABS and/or VSA indicator is still on. Following a troubleshooting procedure for a code that has been cleared but does not reset can result in incorrect diagnosis.
1. Question the client about the conditions when the problem occurred, and try to reproduce the same conditions for troubleshooting. Find out when the ABS and/or VSA indicator came on, such as activation, after activation, when the vehicle was traveling at a certain speed, etc. If necessary, have the client demonstrate the concern.
2. When the ABS or VSA indicator does not come on during the test-drive, but troubleshooting is done based on the DTC, check for loose connectors, poor contact of the terminals, etc. before you start troubleshooting.
3. After troubleshooting or repairs, clear the DTCs, and test-drive the vehicle under the same conditions that originally set the DTCs. Make sure the ABS and VSA indicators do not come on.
4. Check for other system DTCs when connected via F-CAN. If there are DTCs related to F-CAN, the most likely cause was that the ignition switch was turned to ON (II) with the VSA modulator-control unit connector disconnected. Clear the DTCs. Then check for PGM-FI, SH-AWD, and VSA DTCs, and troubleshoot those first.
Intermittent Failures
The term "intermittent failure" means a system may have had a failure, but it checks OK now. If the indicator(s) of the system does not come on, check for loose connectors or terminal pins related to the circuit that you are troubleshooting. If the indicators were on but then went out, the original problem may have been intermittent.
How to Use the HDS (Honda Diagnostic System)
1. If the system indicators stays on, connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) (A) located under the driver's side of the dashboard.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the VSA modulator-control unit. If it doesn't, troubleshoot the DLC circuit. Testing and Inspection
4. Check the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and note it. Also check the on-board snapshot data, and download any data found. Then refer to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting, and begin the appropriate troubleshooting procedure.
NOTE:
- The HDS can read the DTC, the current data, and other system data.
- For specific operations, refer to the Help menu that came with the HDS.
How to Retrieve DTCs
1. With the ignition switch in LOCK (0), connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) under the driver's side of the dashboard.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the VSA modulator-control unit. If it doesn't, troubleshoot the DLC circuit. Testing and Inspection
4. Follow the prompts on the HDS to display the DTC(s) on the screen. After determining the DTC, refer to the DTC troubleshooting.
5. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
How to Clear DTCs
1. With the ignition switch in LOCK (0), connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) under the driver's side of the dashboard.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the VSA modulator-control unit. If it doesn't, troubleshoot the DLC circuit. Testing and Inspection
4. Clear the DTC(s) by following the screen prompts on the HDS.
5. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).