Honda Accord: General Troubleshooting Information

System Indicator

The TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) has the low tire pressure indicator and the TPMS indicator.

The Low Tire Pressure Indicator

- If the system detects low pressure in any of the four tires, the low tire pressure indicator comes on.

- When the indicator comes on, inflate the tires and test-drive the vehicle at 28 mph (45 km/h) or more for at least 1 minute, and the low tire pressure indicator will go off.

- If the TPMS control unit detects a problem in the system during an indication of low tire pressure, it turns off the low tire pressure indicator, stores the DTC (s), and turns on the TPMS indicator.

The TPMS Indicator

- If a problem is detected in the system, the TPMS indicator comes on.

- If low tire pressure and a problem in the system are detected, only the TPMS indicator comes on.

If the system is OK, the TPMS indicator and the low tire pressure indicator should come on when you turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and then go off 2 seconds later.

If they don't, there is a problem with the system.

DTC 11,13,15,17

If the system detects low pressure in any of the four tires, the low tire pressure indicator comes on, and the TPMS control unit sets one or more of these codes: DTC 11,13, 15,17. When the tire pressure returns to normal, and the TPMS control unit receives the normal pressure signal from the tire pressure sensor, the TPMS control unit turns off the indicator. However TPMS control unit still retains the DTC(s).

NOTE: It is necessary to test-drive the vehicle at 28 mph (45 km/h) or more for at least 1 minute so that the tire pressure sensor transmits the signal.

Tire Pressure Changing by Temperature

Tire pressures increase slightly as the temperature in the tires rises during driving. Pressures can also increase or decrease slightly with changes in outside air temperature. A temperature change of about 18 В°F (10 В°C) changes tire pressure by about 10 kPa (0.1 kgf/cm2,1.5 psi). If the temperature drops, tire pressure could decrease enough to turn on the low tire pressure indicator, but later, the tire temperature could increase enough to turn the indicator off. To resolve a complaint of such intermittent indications, confirm and clear the stored DTC(s) and check the tire pressures.

Then explain to the customer how temperature changes can affect the system.

Problems That Are Wot S f stem Faults

- Tire Sealant

Fluid sealant used to repair a punctured tire can damage the tire pressure sensor mounted on each wheel. It can prevent the system from detecting the correct tire pressure, which sets a DTC 11,13,15, or 17 even though the system is normal.

- Cold Weather

When the weather is extremely cold, about —40 °F (—40 °C) or colder, the output of the lithium battery in each tire pressure sensor may drop far enough that the TPMS control unit sets a DTC for low battery voltage (31, 33, 35, or 37) even though the system is normal.

- Non-TPMS type Wheels (Including Spare Tire) Vehicles equipped with TPMS must use wheels made for the system. Every TPMS type wheel has an exclusive mark; do not use any other type of wheel (see page 18-66).

When a flat tire is replaced with the spare tire, the TPMS indicator comes on (DTC 32,34,36, or 38) because the system is no longer receiving the signal from the flat tire's transmitter.

This is not a problem with the spare tire.

How a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is Set

- When the system detects a problem, the TPMS control unit sets a code, but shifts to fail-safe mode, and does not alert the driver to low tire pressures.

- If the TPMS control unit loses power, or fails, the TPMS indicator comes on, but no DTC are set.

- The memory can hold all the DTCs that could possibly be set. However, when the same DTCs are detected more than once, the most recent one overwrites the previous one, so only the latest DTC of each type is stored.

- DTCs are indicated in ascending order, not in the order they occurred.

- Set DTCs are stored in the EEPROM (nonvolatile memory), they cannot be cleared by disconnecting the battery. To clear a DTC, connect the HDS (Honda Diagnostic System) to the data link connector (DLC), and follow the screen prompts.

How to Troubleshoot DTCs

DTC troubleshooting procedures assume the cause of the problem is still present and the TPMS indicator is still on. Do not use a troubleshooting procedure unless the system has set the DTC listed for it.

NOTE: For DTCs 11,13,15, and 17 (tire low pressure), the TPMS indicator comes on only if the DTCs are caused by a system problem rather than low tire pressure.

1. Ask the customer to describe the conditions when the indicator came on, and try to reproduce the same conditions for troubleshooting. Find out if the customer checked and/or adjusted tire pressures since the indicator came on.

2. If an indicator does not come on during the test-drive, check for loose terminals, poor contact due to damaged terminals, etc. before you start troubleshooting.

3. After troubleshooting, repair and clear the DTCs, and test-drive the vehicle. Make sure no indicators come on.

4. Check for DTCs from other control units that are connected via the F-CAN. If there are DTCs that are related to the F-CAN, the most likely cause was that the ignition switch was turned to ON (II) with the TPMS control unit connector disconnected. Clear the DTCs. Check for PGM-FI and TPMS codes, and troubleshoot those first.

How to Retrieve DTCs

1. With the ignition switch in LOCK (0), connect the HDS (Honda Diagnostic System) 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 TPMS control unit. If it does not troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see page 11-181).

4. Follow the prompts on the HDS to display the DTC(s) on the screen. After determining the DTC, refer to the DTC troubleshooting.

NOTE: See the HDS Help menu for specific instructions.

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) (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 TPMS control unit. If it does not, troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see page 11-181).

4. Clear the DTC(s) by following the screen prompts on the HDS.

NOTE: See the HDS Help menu for specific instructions.

5. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).