Reading and Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes
How to Troubleshoot the VSA System
System Indicator
This system has four indicators and one warning:
- ABS indicator (A)
- Brake system indicator (B)
- VSA indicator (C)
- VSA OFF indicator (D)
- Trailer stability assist warning (E)
When the system detects a problem, it will turn the appropriate indicator 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 lost. The brakes still work like a conventional system.
Brake System Indicator
The brake system indicator comes on when the EBD function is lost, the parking brake is applied, and/or the brake fluid level is low.
VSA Indicator
The VSA indicator comes on, when VSA function is lost.The VSA indicator brinks, when the VSA function is activating. The VSA OFF indicator is on until the VSA sensor neutral position memorization is done Programming and Relearning.
VSA OFF Indicator
The VSA OFF indicator comes on, when the VSA is turned OFF by using the VSA OFF switch.
Trailer Stability Assist Warning
Trailer stability assist warning comes on, when the brake light relay has malfunctioned or when VSA function is lost.
ABS, VSA Indicators, and Trailer Stability Assist Warning go off
Each indicator or warning will go off after a problem goes away, but the timing which the VSA modulator-control unit turns off the indicators or warning varies between DTCs.
- DTC 61, 62:
The indicators go off automatically when the system returns to normal.
- DTC 11, 13, 15, 17, 25, 59, 65, 69, 81, 84, 86, 113, or 158:
The indicators stay on until the ignition switch is turned to LOCK (0) whether or not the system returns to normal.
- DTC 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 51, 52, 53, 54, 66, 68, 83, 88, 91, 121, 122, 123, 124, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, or 138:
The indicators stay on until the vehicle is driven after the system returns to normal.
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)
- The memory can hold up to 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 the 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 a 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 when the vehicle is driven at 25 mph (40 km/h).
Brake Fluid Replacement/Air Bleeding
Brake fluid replacement and air bleeding procedures are identical to the procedures used on vehicles without 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, VSA indicators, and/or trailer stability assist warning are 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, VSA indicators, and/or trailer stability assist warning came on, such as during 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, VSA indicators, or trailer stability assist warning 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 the repairs are done, clear the DTCs, and test-drive the vehicle under the same conditions that originally set the DTCs. Make sure the ABS, VSA indicators, and trailer stability assist warning do not come on.
4. Check for DTCs from other systems which connected via F-CAN. If there are DTCs that are 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. Check for fuel and emissions, and VSA codes, first. Be sure to troubleshoot those first.
NOTE:Always troubleshoot fuel and emissions DTC 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 poor contacts in the terminals related to the circuit that you are troubleshooting.
How to Use the HDS (Honda Diagnostic System)
NOTE: Make sure the battery is in good condition and fully charged.
1. If the system indicators stay 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 the freeze data, and note them. Then refer to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting, and do the appropriate troubleshooting procedure.
NOTE:
- Freeze data indicates the VSA conditions when the first system malfunction that activated the indicator was detected.
- 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. Do the all systems DTC check, and troubleshoot any powertrain DTCs first.
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).