Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
How to Troubleshoot the VSA System
System Indicator
This system has four indicators:
- ABS indicator (A)
- Brake system indicator (B)
- VSA indicator (C)
- VSA activation indicator ('07-09 models) (D)
- VSA OFF indicator ('10-11 models) (E)
'07-09 models
'10-11 models
When the system is OK, each indicator comes on for about 2 seconds after turning the ignition switch to ON (II), then goes off.
When the system detects a problem, a DTC will set and, depending upon the failure, the VSA modulator-control unit will determine which indicator(s) will turn on. If the problem goes away (system returns to normal), the indicator(s) will be controlled in the following way depending upon the DTC that was set:
- The indicator(s) will come on and stay on when the ignition switch is ON (II).
- The indicator(s) will automatically go off.
- The indicator(s) will go off after the vehicle is driven.
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 electronic brake distribution (EBD) function is lost, the parking brake is applied, and/or the brake fluid level is low.
VSA Indicator
- '07-09 models: The VSA indicator comes on, when the VSA function is lost.
- '10-11 models: The VSA indicator comes on when the VSA function is lost. The VSA indicator blinks when the VSA function is activating.
VSA Activation Indicator ('07-09 models)
The VSA activation indicator blinks, when the VSA function is activating. The VSA activation indicator comes on and stays on when the VSA is turned OFF by pressing the VSA OFF switch, or the VSA function is lost.
VSA OFF Indicator ('10-11 models)
The VSA OFF indicator comes on, when the VSA is turned OFF by using the VSA OFF switch.
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, 64, 66, 68, 81, 83, 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, 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 EPROM in the VSA modulator-control unit. 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 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 during regular diagnosis when the vehicle is driven over 10 mph (15 km/h) the first time after the ignition switch is turned to ON (II). 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 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 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.
NOTE: Always troubleshoot powertrain DTCs first.
1. Question the customer 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 during control, after control, when the vehicle was traveling at a certain speed, etc. If necessary, have the customer 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 are done, 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 DTCs from other systems which are connected via F-CAN. If there are DTCs that are related to F-CAN, one possible 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 or powertrain DTCs first.
Intermittent Failures
The term "intermittent failure" means a system may have had a failure, but it checks OK now. If you cannot reproduce the condition, check for poor connections or loose terminals at all connectors 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 does not, troubleshoot the DLC circuit: '07-09 models Testing and Inspection, '10-11 models 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 the appropriate troubleshooting procedure.
NOTE:
- The HDS reads the DTC, the freeze data, the current data, and other VSA 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 does not, troubleshoot the DLC circuit: '07-09 models Testing and Inspection, '10-11 models 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 does not, troubleshoot the DLC circuit: '07-09 models Testing and Inspection, '10-11 models Testing and Inspection.
4. Clear the DTC(s) by following the screen prompts on the HDS.
5. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).