Reading and Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes
How to Troubleshoot the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
System Indicator Location
How TPMS Works
The TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) has many indicators: a low tire pressure indicator (LED indicator), a system indicator, and the tire(s) indicator (shown on the multi-information display). When the TPMS control unit detects low pressure in a tire or a problem in the system, it turns on, or blinks the appropriate indicator(s).
- If low tire pressure is detected, the low tire pressure indicator and the appropriate tire indicator come on.
- If a problem in the system is detected, the TPMS indicator comes on, and the low tire pressure indicator comes on after blinking for about 75 seconds.
- If low tire pressure, and a problem in the system are detected the TPMS indicator comes on, and the low tire pressure indicator comes on after blinking for 75 seconds. In this case the low tire pressure indicator will be warning of the system failure.
If the system is OK, 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 it doesn't, there is a problem with the system.
If the system detects low pressure in any of the four tires, the low tire pressure indicator comes on and the appropriate tire indicator(s) will show on the multi-information display, and the control unit will set one or more of these codes: DTC 11, 13, 15, 17. When the tire pressure returns to normal, the control unit will turn off the indicators and store the DTC(s). However, if the control unit detects a problem in the system during an indication of low tire pressure, it will turn off the tire indicators, store the DTC(s), and turn on the TPMS indicator and the low tire pressure indicator after blinking.
NOTE: Tire pressures will increase slightly as the temperature in the tires rises during driving. Pressures will also increase or decrease slightly with changes in outside air temperature. A temperature change of about 50 °F (10 °C) will change tire pressure by about 10 kPa (0.1 kgf/cm2, 1.5 psi). If the temperature drops and then rises, tire pressure could decrease just enough to turn on the low pressure and tire(s) indicators, but later increase enough to turn them 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 client how temperature changes can affect the system, especially when tire pressures are near the low end of the TPMS normal range - 168 to 220 kPa (1.7 to 2.2 kgf/cm2, 24 to 32 psi).
If a problem is detected in the system, the TPMS indicator and the low tire pressure indicator (start blinking) will come on and stay on until the system returns to normal with most DTCs. If DTC 45, 51, 53, 55, 57, 81, 83, or 85 is set, the TPMS indicator will go off only when the ignition switch is turned to LOCK (0).
If a flat tire is replaced with the spare tire, and the flat tire is stored in the cargo area, the low tire pressure indicator will stay on but the appropriate tire indicator will go off. This prevents the client from thinking there is a problem with the spare tire. When the flat tire is taken out of the vehicle for repair, the TPMS indicator and the low tire pressure indicator (start blinking) will come on showing a (DTC 32, 34, 36, or 38) because the system is no longer receiving the signal from the tire's transmitter.
Problems That Are Not System 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 control unit sets a DTC for low battery voltage (31, 33, 35, or 37) even though the system is normal.
- Non-TPMS Wheels
Vehicles equipped with TPMS must use wheels made for the system. Every TPMS wheel is marked with the letters TPMS System; do not use any other type of wheel.
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 will not alert the driver to low tire pressures.
- If the TPMS control unit loses power, or fails, the TPMS indicator and the low tire pressure indicator (start blinking) will come on, but no DTC will be set.
- The memory can hold all the DTCs that could possibly be set. However, when the same DTC is 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 TPMS DTCs
DTC troubleshooting procedures assume the cause of the problem is still present and the TPMS indicator and the low tire pressure indicator (start blinking) are still on. (NOTE: The TPMS indicator and the low tire pressure indicator (start blinking) comes on for DTCs 11, 13, 15, and 17 only if the low tire pressure indication is false, caused by a problem in the system.) Do not use a troubleshooting procedure unless the system has set the DTC listed for it.
1. Ask the client to describe the conditions when the indicators came on or blinked, and try to reproduce the same conditions for troubleshooting. Find out if the client 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, clear the DTCs, and test-drive the vehicle for 3 minutes at 15 mph (24 km/h) or more to make sure no indicators come on.
How to Retrieve TPMS DTCs
1. With the ignition switch in LOCK (0), connect the HDS (Honda Diagnostic System) to the 16P data link connector (DLC) (A) located under the left 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 doesn't, troubleshoot the DLC circuit. 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.
NOTE: See the HDS Help menu for specific instructions.
5. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
How to Clear TPMS DTCs
NOTE: You cannot clear the DTCs manually.
1. With the ignition switch in LOCK (0), connect the HDS to the 16P data link connector (DLC) (A) located under the left 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 doesn't, troubleshoot the DLC circuit. Testing and Inspection
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).
