crapo85

I have searched the site and read most posts on here and can't find answer, my 05 rl had the sh-awd light come on and in mil display it says check sh-awd system! When I accelerate on loose gravel with vsa on only front wheels spin. Any help would be great

GoHawks

You need to take it in to find the cause. I believe I remember the manual stating that if there is a problem, it will disable AWD and revert to FWD only, hence your experience.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

What I love most so far is that you are doing FWD drive burn outs when your AWD error light is on. :lol:

Have you taken it somewhere to have it looked at?
When was the last differential flush and refill?

crapo85

Thanks for replies do u think a Honda dealer could tell me my nearest Acura dealer is 400 miles away? And I changed the oil just last night reading a post off here on it should be done.

oo7spy

Was the light on before you changed the oil?

I assume you mean differential fluid too, or did you mean engine oil?

crapo85

Yes it was on before! And yes diff oil!

oo7spy

Did you do both chambers of the rear diff?

What about the transfer case? Did you check that?

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Uh oh... someone may have a blown rear... been there and done that.

crapo85

Yes both chambers and did not do transfer

Heavy does it any noise when goes out cause it just kicked light on

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

When mine went out, it just jerked like a hard shift and the lights came on.

If I remember correctly there was and AWD error light and a light that also said i was in FWD mode.

I called the dealer from the road side and they said to turn the key off and on to see if it resets the code, if not (which it didn't) they said it was safe to drive to the dealership.

I don't know that Honda vehicles have the SH-AWD system since the prelude... I would take it and have it looked at somewhere.

crapo85

Ok thanks ya mine didn't jerk it came on just after start up and only the one light is on then message on screen.

I talked to dealer they said need to get code off and thought Honda dealer could get it for me

oo7spy

Even AutoZone can pull a code for you.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Yep, just about anywhere can pull a code.

crapo85

Ya that was going to be first stop, thanks guys

oo7spy

You may want to try the hard battery reset suggested by Acura. Disconnect the cables from the battery and short them together. With cables shorted, turn the ignition to position (II) and wait 10 seconds or so. Turn off, reconnect everything, and start it up.

crapo85

I will try that after get code, I disconnected pos cable but did not touch together!
Thanks again

crapo85

Ok guys first thanks for replies just thought would do update for u!!

So after going to several places to get code there was not one scanner that could pull a code. After talking to Acura dealer I took to local Honda service department they ran diagnostics and found a broken wire going to rear diff causing it too throw the lights on and into safety mode. So thank god it was only 100 bucks to fix not what bad rear end would of cost.

253RL

Thanks for updating us!

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

wow, you should buy a lotto ticket!

crapo85

Lol ya I should heavy, I was getting nervous it was reared.

jose3031

Lucky!!

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

When you said that you didnt hear a noise I figured it was a sensor but things like that are for the professionals.

deeannspence

I have an RDX, I bought it the first year the model came out. I think I have more miles than most at 210,000. The Shawd light came on at least 100,000 miles ago. I have taken it to two dealerships in California. They clearly have an issue that they don't know how to fix. They told me the turbo needed to be replaced, but it is clearly working. My son made a comment this weekend that I finally feel like could be the real reason for the light. The all wheel drive is not working. He said it is the difference between having the car pushed from behind or pulled from the front. We had new tires put on not long ago. He noticed the back tires are still brand new and the front tires are bald. He said there is a light panel that shows how the power is pulling, why is this so difficult to diagnosis:wish. I have an appointment on Thursday, we will see if they can figure it out now!

sOLLEx

I would say your front tires are bald because your son is doing massive front wheel turbo burnouts because your sh-awd light has been on for the last 100k miles. Get them to give you the code for it.

BDoggPrelude

Lol. For real. I'm assuming the tires also have not been rotated at all. FWD cars wear the front tires 2-4 times faster than the rears depending on driving styles.

I don't know how an Acura dealer could not diagnose this problem. Take it to a different dealership. BTW, be prepared to pay. Servicing the AWD system is never cheap.

Just an FYI for everybody, if your SH-AWD light is on your car is now FWD. This is a fail-safe that has been intentionally built into Honda/Acura's torque vectoring systems since the Prelude Type-SH way back in 1997. It is there to keep the car from damaging expensive parts. I owned a 98 Prelude Type-SH before my RL. Any time a check engine light came on it was accompanied by a big yellow ATTS light letting you know that the $3k ATTS unit has been disabled to avoid any damage.

oo7spy

100k mi later...

db22

Yes, it certainly says something about the longevity of the warning bulb!