Back in November 2009, my battery ran down and I had to get a jump. Immediately after, I started getting the VSA/ABS system warning messages. When I brought the car in for service at the local Honda dealer (nearest Acura is 50 miles away), the computer showed error codes based upon the battery having been rundown. They reset the computer and I was OK for about 4 or 5 months.

Then, in late March, I got my rear brakes replaced at a local (non-Honda/Acura) shop. About 3 weeks ago (May 5), I started getting the VSA/ABS warning lights again. So, I went back to that shop, but they said that they couldn't check the computer codes because their computer doesn't scan for VSA/ABS on foreign cars. So, I went to Honda. It turned out that I needed the brake fluid drained/replaced because it was low and totally black/dirty, and I also had air in the brake line. I was a bit p***ed that this wasn't done, or at least checked, by the local shop when I had the rear brakes done - but I thought that this would finally solve the problem.

Fast forward to one week ago - I started getting the same warning lights - It's happened 4 times in the past week. Each time, I was either backing out of my driveway in the morning, or just after filling with gas. In any event, it was within 3 miles of pulling out of the driveway in the morning.

Does anyone have any idea what would be causing this? I suspect that it's probably a bad sensor, but what do I know. I have an appointment at Honda in two days, but would like to gain some knowledge here before then.

Thanks!

 

take it back to the dealer and explain your situation. im sure they'd understand since you've spent all that money that really didnt need to. or should i say that didnt fix your problem.
computer scaners dont let the techs know the fluid needs replacing, nor air in in the lines.
was your brake pedal spongy?

 

The Honda dealer has already said that there would be no charge for computer re-scanning. I realize that scanning doesn't reveal whether fluid needs replacing or that there's air in the line. Those things were found thru visual inspection of the braking system.

The brake pedal has not felt spongy at any point. The only "symptom" has been that the ABS and VSA System warning lights coming on intermittently.

 

keep us updated on what the dealer says. if you want ask them for a print out of your dtc code/s

 

I had a very very similar problem. The fix to the "random" warning lights was a $14 (Canadian) brake pedal switch. The switch can get sticky or lazy over time, and is unrelated to your battery dying back in 2009.

Either of these part numbers will work, but obviously, look for the first one (Panasonic) as its about 1/3 the price of the Toyo brand one. IIRC, I got the Panasonic one, and it's also the same switch as the Accords and some other Honda and Acura vehicles. Just call around and ask for that part number - a local dealer in your area is bound to have it.

Replacement is dead simple and will take less than 10 minutes of your time. Its located on the brake pedal arm, so get on your back under the dash, with a light and the new switch, and replace it. No tools required, just your fingers and a thumb.

36750-SMA-003 SWITCH ASSY., STOP & CRUISE (PANASONIC)12006TSX7.625.72 36750-SDA-A02 SWITCH ASSY., STOP & CRUISE (TOYO)12006TSX29.3021.98

 

Oops, the formatting of the part nubmers came out all wonky.

36750-SMA-003 SWITCH ASSY., STOP & CRUISE (PANASONIC) 1 2006TSX $7.62 $5.72
---
36750-SDA-A02 SWITCH ASSY., STOP & CRUISE (TOYO) 1 2006TSX $29.30 $21.98

 

Hmmm.... You may be onto something, Curls. Just an hour ago, as I was backing out of my driveway, riding the brake pedal to control my reversing speed, the lights came on again - not 15 feet after the car started moving. I shut the car off, waited 15 seconds and re-started it and the lights didn't come on again. And I was running errands all over town - the car must have been shot off and re-started at least 4 times during those errands.

My appointment with Honda is tomorrow morning. They've assured me that there will be no charge to re-scan on the computer. I will mention the possibility of the Brake Pedal Switch and see what they say.

Thanks!

 

For the low cost, its worth a try.

But make sure they do NOT charge you ANYTHING to install. Trust me, it's dead simple and if they charge you more than $Free, it's too much.

In fact, I'd save your time and just have them re-scan. If nothing comes up that's 100% conclusive, buy the new switch and install it. I am putting down 50 e-dollars that this will solve the problem.

With my switch failure, it became more and more frequent. At first, it was once every 6-10 MONTHS. Then it came on about 1-2 times a week. Then it was every second trip or so. Then it was 99% of the time, the second I stepped on the brake pedal for the first time, bam, lights went on. Changed out the switch and it's been 100% fine ever since. They wear out, it happens. Its just a small plastic "plunger" style switch with a 2-prong connector on it, and a screw-on collar that you will see is easy to work with using bare hands, no tools req'd.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Is that Canadian dollars?

 

Whatever is greater, PACman. How's that for a wager!

 

OK - I'm back from the Honda dealer. First of all, the error lights did not display this morning (That figures...). Honda re-scanned the computer (and charged me $$Zero ) and found the following codes. Here's their write-up:

"83-1 ECM/PCM Relation Failure
86-1 Can Relation Failure

Possible failures=Wire Short-Wire Open for DTC 83-1
Possible failures=Bus Line Off. Can Control Failure. Other system Failure for DTC 86-1

Recommend that vehicle be brought to Acura Dealer for further diagnoses and/or software update."

The service manager suspects that a software update is required, and says that there may have been a recall or service alert on this. (He wasn't sure...). [Does anyone know the answer to that question?]

As background ... the computer showed no codes indicating ABS/VSA problems. He doesn't think that these warning lights are being caused by the brake pedal switch failing. All of these same codes showed up when the car was scanned the last time I brought it in. I thought that they they re-set the computer back then, but apparently they did not - so these codes were nothing new. Back in October/November, my battery ran down to the point that I needed a jump - That's when these problems started.

I guess that I'll have to contact the nearest Acura dealer (50 miles away).... But before I take that step, does anyone have any more thoughts on this situation?

One last thing -- I asked whether the ABS/VSA is really being de-activated during these episodes or whther it's just a false indicator light. The service advisor said that when these lights are displayed, it means that these systems have been de-activated. So, it's not something that I want to drive around with for long.

Thoughts? Anyone know what it costs for a software update? (I'm pretty sure my TSX has never had a software update done.)

Thanks.

 

my 06 tsx has never had an update but then I have had no problems

 

dont worry about the pcm relation faliure.
theres other codes in there, but it seems they failed to do an all dtc check.
considering the dealer is that far away, try replaceing the brake pedal switch your self. wont hurt to try.

...ive seen mdxs with no trailer hitch installed, come in for trailer assist codes and other codes aswell. one of them is pcm relation failure under the awd format.
solution= replacement of the brake pedal switch and the relay. never ever have those 15 mdx come back for the same problem.
worth a try.
if you are replaceing the switch replace the relay also.just to be on the safe side.

...your problem is an intermittant problem, which will almost never be duplicated at dealerships.
good luck

 

Because the messages hadn't popped up for about a week, I haven't tried replacing the brake pedal switch yet. However, yesterday (and today) the messages suddenly came back. I decided not to stop/re-start the engine since I was close to home, and checked whether the brake lights were still functional while these messages were being displayed. As it turns out, the brake lights ARE still functional.

So, would that indicate that the brake pedal switch is NOT the culprit? Or does the brake lights staying functional have nothing to do with whether or not the brake pedal switch is the problem?

My niece's nephew suspects that the messages could be due to a failing wheel sensor. But wouldn't that have been picked up by the scan done by the Honda dealer?

Just trying to narrow things down... Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

I replaced the brake pedal switch on Sunday and thought that the warning light issue went away. Unfortunately the VSA, ABS and Brake warning lots popped again yesterday and multiple times today (Thursday), so the brake pedal switch was evidently not the culprit.

Anyone have any other ideas before I take this baby to the Acura dealer? My nephew thinks that it might be a speed sensor on a wheel....Does that make any sense? (I'm no expert on car repairs/parts - obviously....)

Thanks!

 

any updates?

 

No updates other than my last post (quoted above).

The brake pedal switch was replaced by my niece's husband at his vacation home last weekend, but nothing changed. He owns a body shop on Long Island and says that he can do a full scan on my car. So, I'll be stopping at his shop in a few weeks when I visit LI. He seems to think that the problem is related to a bad speed sensor, but we'll see. If he's right, he'll replace them. If not, my last resort is to go to the Acura dealer. I have to get this resolved soon, since I'm due for the annual state safety inspection by the end of July. And I have to go to Acura anyway because I just got a recall notice regarding the power steering hose.

 

did you get it fixed? im getting the same issue...