Starter System Circuit Troubleshooting(With Keyless Access System)

Special Tools Required 

Alternator, Regulator, Battery, and Starter Tester OTC3131* 

*: Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 888-424-6857

NOTE: 

• Air temperature must be between 59-100 °F (15-38 °C) during this procedure.
• After the inspection, you must reset the PCM . Otherwise, the PCM will continue to stop the fuel injectors from operating.
• The 12 volt battery must be in good condition and fully charged.

• 1. PGM-FI, CVT, and Keyless Access Control system DTC check:

  - 1. Connect the HDS to the DLC .

  - 2. Turn the vehicle to the ON mode.

  - 3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle. If it does not communicate, go to the DLC circuit troubleshooting .

  - 4. Check for PGM-FI, CVT, and Keyless Access Control system DTCs with the HDS. If you fail to enter the SYSTEM SELECTION MENU with the HDS, go to the keyless access system symptom troubleshooting KEYLESS ACCESS SYSTEM SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING - CANNOT SELECT ON MODE WITH KEYLESS ACCESS AND WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE TOUCHING THE ENGINE START/STOP SWITCH .

  Are any DTCs indicated?

  YES 

  Go to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting.

  NO 

  Go to step 2.

• 2. Starting system check 1:

  - 1. Select All INJECTORS STOP in the PGM-FI INSPECTION menu with the HDS.

  ALL INJECTORS

  - 2. With the transmission in P or N position/mode, and with the brake pedal pressed, turn the vehicle to the START mode to crank the engine.

  Did the starter crank the engine?

  YES 

  Do the PCM reset in the PGM-FI MODE menu to cancel All INJECTORS STOP with the HDS.

  NO 

  Go to step 3.

• 3. Starting system check 2:

  - 1. Turn the vehicle to the OFF (LOCK) mode.

  - 2. Check the 12 volt battery condition. Check the electrical connections at the 12 volt battery, the 12 volt battery negative cable to the body, the engine ground cables, and the starter for looseness and corrosion. Then try starting the engine again.

  Did the starter crank the engine?

  Starter cranks normally

  Repairing the loose connection corrected the problem. Do the PCM reset in the PGM-FI MODE menu to All INJECTORS STOP with the HDS.

  Starter does not crank engine at all

  If the starter does not crank the engine at all, go to step 4.

  Starter cranks abnormally

  If the starter cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to step 5.

  Starter overruns

  If the starter does not disengage from the torque converter ring gear when you release the button, replace the starter , or remove and disassemble it , and check for the following:

  • Dirty drive gear or damaged overrunning clutch
  • Damaged torque converter ring gear
• 4. Determine possible failure area (starter, starter circuit, engine start/stop switch):

  - 1. Make sure the transmission is in P or N position/mode.

  - 2. Disconnect the following connector.

  Starter S terminal 1P connector (A)

  Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

  - 3. Connect terminals A and B with a jumper wire.

  Terminal A	12 volt battery positive terminal
  Terminal B	Starter S terminal 1P connector No. 1 (S)

  Did the starter crank the engine?

  • YES 

    Check the following items in the order listed until you find the problem in the circuit:

    • Blown No. A11 (7.5 A) fuse in the under-hood fuse/relay box.
    • Blown No. B2 (10 A) fuse in the under-dash fuse/relay box.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between starter cut relay 2 and the starter.
    • Check for an open in the wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and starter cut relay 1 and/or starter cut relay 2.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between starter cut relay 1 and the PCM.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between starter cut relay 2 and the PCM.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between the No. A11 (7.5 A) fuse, starter cut relay 1, and starter cut relay 2.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire between the 12 volt battery and the starter.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between the under-hood fuse/relay box and the brake pedal position switch.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between the brake pedal position switch, the keyless access control unit and the PCM.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between the transmission range switch and the PCM.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between the transmission range switch and the keyless access control unit.
    • Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between the PCM and the keyless access control unit.
    • Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the transmission range switch and body ground G101.
    • Check for faulty starter cut relay 1 and starter cut relay 2 .
    • Check for a faulty engine start/stop switch. 
    • Check for faulty transmission range switch .
    • Check for a faulty brake pedal position switch.

    NO 

    Check for an open or short in the wire and connectors between the 12 volt battery and the starter. Replace the starter , or remove and disassemble it , as necessary.

• 5. Starter test:

  - 1. Connect the alternator, regulator, battery, and starter tester to the 12 volt battery.

  Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

  - 2. Do the STARTING TEST, check the cranking voltage and the current draw from the following service limit table.

  Voltage (V)	Current (A)
  8.5 or more	380 or less

  Are the cranking voltage and the current draw within the service limits?

  YES 

  Remove the starter , and inspect its drive gear and the torque converter ring gear for damage. Replace any damaged parts.

  NO 

  Replace the starter or remove and disassemble it , and check for these problems:

  • Excessive drag in the engine
  • Drag in the starter armature
  • Shorted armature winding
  • Open circuit in the starter armature commutator segments
  • Excessively worn starter brushes
  • Open circuit in the starter brushes
  • Dirty or damaged helical splines or drive gear
  • Faulty overrunning clutch