Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Starter Circuit TroubleshootingNOTE:
- Air temperature must be between 59 and 100 degrees F (15 and 38 degrees C) during this procedure.
- After this inspection, you must reset the powertrain control module (PCM), otherwise the PCM will continue to stop the injectors from functioning. Select PCM reset using the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS).
- The battery must be in good condition and fully charged.
1. Hook up the mentioned equipment:
2. Connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC).
3. On the HDS select PGM-FI, INSPECTION, then ALL INJECTORS OFF.
4. With the shift lever in N or P, turn the ignition switch to START (III).
Did the starter crank the engine normally?
YES - The starting system is OK. Go to step 11.
NO - Go to step 5.
5. Check the battery condition. Check electrical connections at the battery, the negative battery cable to body, the engine ground cables, and the starter for looseness and corrosion. Then try cranking the engine again.
Did the starter crank the engine?
YES - Repairing the loose connection corrected the problem. The starting system is OK. Go to step 11.
NO - Check the following:
- If the starter will not crank the engine at all, go to step 6.
- If it cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to step 8.
- If it does not disengage from the torque converter ring gear when you release the key, replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the, following:
- Solenoid plunger and switch malfunction
- Dirty drive gear or damaged overrunning clutch
6. Make sure the transmission is in Park or Neutral, and set the parking brake. Disconnect the BLK/WHT wire from the starter solenoid S terminal. Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive terminal to the solenoid terminal.
Did the starter crank the engine?
YES - Go to step 7.
NO - Remove the starter, and repair or replace as necessary.
7. Check the following items in the order listed until you find the open circuit:
- The BLK/WHT wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the ignition switch.
- The BLK/WHT wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the starter.
- The ignition switch.
- The transmission range switch and connector.
- The starter cut relay.
8. While cranking the engine, check the cranking voltage and the current draw.
Is the cranking voltage greater than or equal to 7.7 V and is the current draw less than or equal to 400 A?
YES - Go to step 9.
NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following:
- Drag in the starter armature
- Shorted armature winding
- Excessive drag in the engine
9. Check the engine speed while cranking the engine.
Is the engine speed above 100 rpm?
YES - Go to step 10.
NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following:
- Open circuit in starter armature commutator segments
- Excessively worn starter brushes
- Open circuit in commutator brushes
- Dirty or damaged helical splines or drive gear
- Faulty drive gear clutch
10. Remove the starter, and inspect its drive gear and the torque converter ring gear for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
11. Select PCM reset to cancel the ALL INJECTORS OFF function on the HDS.