How To Decipher Error Codes On All Honda Models

by admin | Jul 19, 2022 | Tips | 0 comments

Contents hide

1 Why did the “Check Engine” light come on on a Honda?

2 Car Diagnostics

2.1 How to conduct yourself?

2.2 Devices for diagnostics and their cost

3 Deciphering codes

3.1 Diagnostic Trouble Codes

3.2 ABS block errors

3.3 Passive safety system

3.4 EPS system

3.5 VSA system error codes

4 Reset errors
5 Need Help with Error Codes or Honda Spares?

Why did the “Check Engine” light come on on a Honda?

The causes of the “Check Engine” lamp burning on various Honda

models can be any malfunctions in electrical circuits or actuating
units. In this case, the electronic system of the car receives a signal pulse
with parameters different from the tolerance field. This data is written to the
memory of the control unit as an error.

The most common reasons are:

1. Violation of the composition of the mixture. Caused by poor fuel

quality, failure of any fuel system sensor, clogged injection nozzles, or
failure of the fuel supply pump from the tank.

2. Mechanical problems in the engine. They are determined by sensors,

such as valve timing offset.

3. Breakage of sensors, rupture or oxidation of wiring harnesses between

them.

Car Diagnostics

The latest Honda models have a large number of electronic components that
can only be checked and adjusted using special diagnostic equipment. A
typical example of such a task is the adaptation of the control unit of the V-
belt variator, which should be carried out after changing the engine oil. To
perform in-depth diagnostics, special adapters are used that connect to the
diagnostic connector and laptop. The computer must have specialized Honda
HDS (Honda Diagnostic System) software installed with a built-in and
regularly updated Honda error database.

Primary diagnostics of the car can be carried out without special devices.

Using self-diagnosis, you can find out the presence of errors in the following
systems:

 SRS – airbags;

 ABS – anti-lock braking system;

 Check Engine – system and sensors for ensuring engine operation;

 VSA – rectilinear motion preservation system;

 EPS – electric power steering.

During diagnostics, one or more lamps responsible for the operation of these
systems will flash on the dashboard. Some errors are most conveniently
detected using the self-diagnosis function, since they are not read by all
types of scanners. An example of such errors are malfunctions of the airbag
system (SRS). If there are no errors in the control unit, all control lamps on
the combination will turn on and will not flash.

Do-it-yourself diagnostics on the most common Honda models is performed

in the same way. The error codes of these machines are also standardized.

Namely, on vehicles such as:

 Partner;

 Torneo;

 Stepwagon RF1;

 SRV RD1;

 Orthia 4WD B20B;

 Civic (with a power plant or with a hybrid);

 Accord versions of CL9 and CC7 and many more.

How to conduct yourself?

To carry out the work, you only need a small piece of wire or a paper clip,
which can close the pins of the connector contacts.

Let’s consider carrying out self-diagnostics using the example of such cars as
the 2008 Honda Accord (CC7 or CF4 models), the 2001 Honda Stream:

1. Prepare a clip for closing the contacts in the diagnostic connector.

2. Install it between the fourth and ninth pins of the connector located in
the center console area (it can be on either side). This location is
standard for placing the connector on almost all Honda models. Some
cars are an exception: on the 1995–97 Accord, it is behind the ashtray
on the console, and on the 2000 Legend, it is behind the trim around
the automatic transmission selector. The 16-pin OBD-II-Honda
connector itself is standard for all models after 1996 of release.

3. Place the key in the lock, turn until the ignition system is switched on.

4. During the diagnostic process, you should carefully look at the

instrument cluster, remembering the number of flashes of the SRS,
 ABS, VSA, EPS and Check Engine warning lights. In this case, it must be
borne in mind that the lamp counts tens by applying a long flashing
pulse, and units – a short one. For example, a system error code 14 will
be indicated by one long flash and four short flashes of the ABS
lamp. During self-diagnosis, do not touch the brake pedal, as this will
not allow you to read the ABS system errors.

5. Decipher the read codes according to the tables.

On some machines, such as the 2002 Fit, 2004 Stream, or 2000 Prelude,
sometimes it becomes necessary to find the right pins in the connector. This
will require a low-power lamp with soldered wires.

To search for pins:

1. Connect one wire of the control device to the body. It must be

connected to an unpainted part of the body, a nut for attaching wires
to the body, to parts of the engine or automatic transmission.

2. Turn on the ignition and start with the second wire to alternately sort
through the contacts in the connector.

3. When you find the right pin, the “Check Engine” lamp located on the
dashboard should turn on.

Devices for diagnostics and their cost

The most popular are adapters of the following types:

1. Honda H.I.M. The most preferred option, although it requires a USB-

COM adapter built on the FT232 chip. The Honda HDS program is
supplied with the device. The average price of a kit (device, adapter,
necessary cables and media with software) on the AliExpress website is
about R1500, excluding shipping costs.

2. ELM327. It has limited functionality because it is not compatible with

Honda software. More affordable at a price that does not exceed R100
on AliExpress.

Deciphering codes

The codes read by the number of flashes must be deciphered to determine

the faulty node. All Honda errors are divided into several main groups.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes

 One of the most common errors on a Civic (left-hand drive and right-hand
drive Ferio) or Fit GD1 is a problem with the engine components. The table
below shows Honda error codes for 2007 and 2003 cars, respectively.

Number Malfunction

one Error lambda probe and its wiring

3 and 5 Abnormal data on pressure in the inlet channel

4 and 9 Invalid data from the crankshaft sensor

6 Failure of the coolant temperature sensor

7 Errors in the operation of the throttle position sensor

Failure of the sensor that determines the moments of top dead centers in the
eight
cylinders

ten Intake Air Temperature Sensor Error

12 Failure of the EGR system

13 Faulty external pressure meter

fourteen Idle air valve failure

fifteen Malfunction of ignition coils

16 Failure of any of the fuel injectors

17 Speed Sensor Malfunction

twenty Interruptions in the ignition system

30–31 Errors in the signals from the automatic transmission control unit

41 and Faulty heating lambda probes

63

43 Incorrect pressure in the fuel supply system

The most common mistakes when switching gears in automatic

transmissions are considered using the example of Ferio and Stream
models. Usually, all these errors are accompanied by sluggish acceleration of
the car and the appearance of extraneous loud sounds when starting off.

The code Description

5 and 6 Incorrect functioning of contacts in the switching selector

30 and 31 Errors in the operation of the solenoids of the box

32 Breaks in the starting component solenoid wiring harness

33 Blocker failure

Failure of the system for determining the frequency of rotation of the in

34
shaft

35 Similar, but only slave

36 Automatic transmission output shaft sensor

42 Incorrect operation of the shift control system

43 Start clutch defective

ABS block errors

The anti-lock braking system in the brake drive is found on almost all Honda
cars. The main causes of errors are damage to the rotation sensors and their
wiring.

Table. Codes of malfunctions of system ABS.

Fault Possible fault
Malfunction
code location

Open or short circuit in the front right wheel speed

eleven
sensor circuit

Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change

12
in signal) of the front right wheel speed sensor

Open or short circuit in the front left wheel speed

13
sensor circuit

fourtee Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change Wheel speed

n in signal) of the front left wheel speed sensor sensor Wheel s
sensor rotor
Open or short circuit in the rear right wheel speed Wiring
fifteen
sensor circuit

Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change

16
in signal) of the rear right wheel speed sensor

17 Open or short in rear left wheel speed sensor circuit

eightee Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change

n in signal) of the rear left wheel speed sensor

Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of

21
rotation of a forward right wheel

Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of

22 Wheel speed s
rotation of a forward left wheel
rotor
Wiring
Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of
23 ABS control un
rotation of a back right wheel

Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of

24
rotation of a back left wheel
 31

32

33

34 Solenoid valve
Pressure Modulator Solenoid Valve Malfunction ABS control un
Wiring
35

36

37

38

41 Front right is blocked during ABS operation

Wheel Speed S
Wheel Speed
42 Front left is blocked during ABS operation
Sensor Rotor
ABS Control Mo
43 Rear right is blocked during ABS operation
Pressure Modu
Wiring
44 Rear left is blocked during ABS operation

Possible errors of the ABS block

On older machines, the valves of the hydraulic block and the block itself may
fail. The following are additional errors of this system.

Table. ABS Fault Codes (Continued).

Fault
Malfunction Possible fault location
code

Pressure modulator
51 ABS pump motor blocking ABS control unit
Wiring

52 ABS pump motor does not turn on ABS pump motor ABS
 control unit
Wiring

ABS pump motor does not turn off ABS pump motor ABS
53
(permanently running) control unit

Fail Safe relay

Malfunction of relay “Fail Safe” system
54 ABS control unit
ABS
Wiring

61 Low voltage
Power supply
Wiring
62 High voltage

Wheels of different dimen

The wheels installed on the car have
71 are installed
different dimensions
Tire pressures are not the

81 Malfunction of the ABS control unit ABS control unit

ABS System Errors (Part 2)

Passive safety system

On many used Honda cars, for example, on the Orchia or Ferio, the indicator
of defective airbags is often observed to light up. Causes can be wiring
damage or sensor failure, as well as random errors in the system.

The code Decryption

11-15 Incorrect driver airbag control circuit parameters

21-25 Same for passenger airbag

51-54 and 61-64 Malfunction in the SRS control unit

71-73 and 81-83 Similarly

91-92 Similarly
 101 Deployed front airbags

EPS system

The most common errors in the electric power steering system are the failure
of the electric motor or wiring.

The main error codes are shown in the table:

The code Designation

one Power relay wiring damage

2 Malfunction in the control unit

3-5 Motor Power Problems

11-14 Various malfunctions of the rotation sensor and its power circuit

21 General amplifier failure, usually associated with a blown fuse and wir

VSA system error codes

This system does not apply to all vehicles. The main causes of errors are
damage to the rotation sensors mounted on the wheels and their wiring. No
less common is the failure of the lateral acceleration sensors and the VSA
system unit itself. Listed below are some types of errors in this system.

Table. Codes of malfunctions of the VSA system.

Fault Possible fault

Malfunction
code location

Open or short circuit in the front right wheel speed Wheel speed
eleven
sensor circuit sensor Wheel
sensor rotor
Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change Wiring
12
in signal) of the front right wheel speed sensor

13 Open or short circuit in the front left wheel speed

 sensor circuit

fourtee Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change

n in signal) of the front left wheel speed sensor

Open or short circuit in the rear right wheel speed

fifteen
sensor circuit

Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change

16
in signal) of the rear right wheel speed sensor

17 Open or short in rear left wheel speed sensor circuit

eightee Incorrect signal (signal distortion or sudden change

n in signal) of the rear left wheel speed sensor

Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of

21
rotation of a forward right wheel

Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of

22 Wheel speed s
rotation of a forward left wheel
rotor
Wiring
Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of
23 VSA control un
rotation of a back right wheel

Malfunction of a rotor of the gauge of frequency of

24
rotation of a back left wheel

Yaw sensor
Malfunction in a chain of the gauge of a deviation
25 VSA control un
from a course
Wiring

Lateral acceler
Malfunction in a chain of the gauge of lateral sensor
26
accelerations VSA control un
Wiring

VSA system errors, part 1

Table. VSA system trouble codes (continued).

Fault
Malfunction Possible fault loc
code

Steering wheel a
sensor
Malfunction in a chain of the gauge of an angle of
27 VSA system cont
rotation of a steering wheel
unit
Wiring

31

32

33 FR.IN
FR.OUT
FL.IN
34 Solenoid valve
Pressure Modulator Solenoid Valve FL.OUT
VSA control unit
Malfunction RR,IN
35 Wiring
RR.OUT
RL.IN
36 RL.OUT

37

38

41 Front right is blocked during ABS operation

Wheel Speed Se
Wheel Speed
42 Front left is blocked during ABS operation
Sensor Rotor
VSA Control Mod
43 Rear right is blocked during ABS operation
Pressure Modula
Wiring
44 Rear left is blocked during ABS operation

45 Pressure Modulator Solenoid Valve FRA Solenoid valve

 46
FRD
VSA control unit
47 Malfunction FLA
Wiring
FLD
48

Pressure modula
VSA system cont
51 VSA pump motor blocking
unit
Wiring

VSA pump moto

52 VSA pump motor does not turn on control unit
Wiring

VSA pump motor does not turn off (permanently VSA pump moto
53
running) control unit

Fail Safe relay

VSA system cont
54 Fail Safe Relay Faulty VSA System
unit
Wiring

VSA system errors, part 2

VSA system rela

5 VSA
Malfunction in a chain of the relay of system VSA
5 system control
Wiring

6
Low supply voltage (less than 10 V)
1
Power supply
Wiring
6
High supply voltage (more than 16 V)
2

7 The wheels installed on the car have different Wheels of differ

1 dimensions dimensions are
 installed
Tire pressures a
not the same

7 Pressure modul
System pressure too high
2 VSA pump moto

8 VSA system con

Malfunction of the control unit of the VSA system
1 unit

VSA system
8 control unit Eng
Communication error with the engine control unit
3 control unit
Wiring

Yield sensor and

lateral accelera
The VSA system operates continuously for 70 seconds or sensor zero set
more incorrectly Yield
8
When the vehicle speed is more than 30 km/h, the VSA sensor Lateral
4
system operates continuously for 60 seconds or more acceleration
(incorrect zeroing of the sensors) sensor Steering
angle sensor
Wiring

VSA system errors, part 3

Reset errors

After reading, the errors can be reset. This procedure allows you to find out if
the error was random or it was caused by the failure of some electronic
component in the vehicle. On Honda vehicles, various types of errors are
reset in a certain way.

For example, to reset EPS system errors on a Honda Civic, follow

these steps:

1. Connect the pins of the diagnostic connector with a jumper wire, as in

the self-diagnosis procedure.

2. Insert the key into the ignition lock, turn the wheels all the way to the
left and hold the steering in this position.
 3. Turn the key to the ignition on position and wait 4 seconds, after which
the EPS warning lamp in the instrument cluster should go out.

4. Over the next 4 seconds, you must return the steering wheel to the
middle position. The EPS lamp should turn on again.

5. After that, in the next 4 seconds, turn the wheels all the way to the left
and hold in this position until the EPS lamp goes out.

6. Return the steering to the middle position and after 4 seconds the EPS
lamp should flash twice, which means that the memory of the control
unit has been cleared of errors.

7. Wait another 5 seconds for the system to learn the new center steering
position. The end of this procedure will be indicated by three flashes of
the EPS indicator.

8. Switch off the ignition and remove the jumper from the connector pins.

9. Turn on the ignition. If the EPS lamp continues to burn, then you should
repeat the procedure again.

The errors of the ABS system that are in the memory can be reset on their
own.

The sequence of actions on the Odyssey and CRV RD1 machines is

as follows:

1. Insert a jumper between pins 4 and 9 of the diagnostic connector.

2. Depress the brake pedal with little effort and hold it in that position.

3. Switch on the ignition and wait for the ABS indicator on the instrument
cluster to turn off (approximately 2-3 seconds).

4. After turning off the indicator, remove your foot from the brake pedal,
after 4 seconds, the ABS signal will turn on again.

5. Immediately after turning on the signal, immediately press the brake

pedal and wait 4 seconds until the ABS lamp goes out.

6. Release the pedal and after 4 seconds the ABS light should flash twice
briefly. This is a clear memory signal.

7. Turn off the ignition and remove the jumper from the pins.

After resetting these errors, an orange triangle with an exclamation mark

may illuminate on the instrument cluster. This symbol indicates the presence
of a VSA system error. In this situation, only the anti-lock braking system
works. The procedure for resetting the VSA system is somewhat different. It
will be considered on the example of the seventh generation Honda Accord.

To reset errors follow the steps:

1. Close the fourth and ninth pins of the connector.

2. Insert the key into the lock and lower the handbrake lever to the lowest
position.

3. Press the brake pedal with medium force and hold it until the end of
the error reset procedure.

4. Switch on the ignition and wait for the moment when the control signal
of the ABS system on the combination goes out.

5. Immediately after the lamp goes out, it is necessary to drown the

button of the hand brake lever and lift it all the way up.

6. Without releasing the button, quickly lower the lever back and up
again.

7. If the whole procedure is performed correctly, then the ABS lamp

should give two flashes, signaling the removal of errors.

8. Switch off the ignition and remove the jumper.

Resetting errors for right-hand drive or left-hand drive vehicles is carried out
according to the same scheme. The only difference is the location of the
mounting block.

Resetting SRS errors on a Honda XPV (common name – SHRV) is

carried out in the following sequence:

1. Remove the glove box housing in the region of the left (for left-hand
drive cars) or right (for right-hand drive) knee of the driver, behind
which the fuse box is located.

2. Find a yellow connector with two pins in the block. It is usually located
in the depth of the mounting element.

3. Close the pins with a wire.

4. Turn on the ignition.

5. The SRS lamp will illuminate for 6 seconds and then turn off. After that,
it is necessary to open the pins within 4 seconds.
6. The SRS lamp will turn on again and the connector should be shorted
in the next 4 seconds.

7. The lamp will go out and within another 4 seconds the pins should be
opened. The SRS indicator will flash twice.

8. Turn off the ignition for 15-20 seconds.