m3nate

Hi everyone,

Dealing with a strange issue that i cannot seem to solve. I recently had an issue with my 2006 TSX where the ABS module went bad. I ponied up the cash and bought new one, did the replacement work, and thoroughly bled all 4 corners...ensuring that the brake fluid was properly topped off at the end.

When i was done, i lowered the car and started it up...bang all 3 lights were gone and i thought i had this thing beat. However, when i went for my first (and all subsequent) drives in the car the lights are off on start-up and for the first 10 minutes. Then they all come on exactly 10 minutes into each session and remain on for the remainder of the stint.

I am certain that i have all of the air out of the system, do not hear any vacuum leaks, and have all new tires properly inflated. Very stumped as to why the lights are coming on each session.

Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

- Nate

TexasHonda

No one can help w/ only a verbal description. See if you can access the stored DTC using following link (see instructions down the article). Careful to be sure you are shorting the correct pins.

http://mypage.siu.edu/jeepster/vsa1.html

Post your code and I have the DTC list. You can problably find on web.

good luck

m3nate

Thank you for the guidance. I jumpered pins 4 and 9 of the OBDII port, turned the key...and here's what i have:

Long beeps of the ABS light are the first number, short beeps are the second number.

1-1
6-1
7-1
8-3

then

4 short beeps in a row

then

1 long and 2 short (1-2)


Here is a clip of the entire reading:
Do you know where i can find the manual on what these mean?

m3nate

One more question if anyone knows. I've been reading through the article that TexasHonda posted on the DTC and wanted to know if this reset procedure is applicable to the '06 TSX:

Erasing DTCs: The VSA module stores DTCs in the EEPROM, therefore they cannot be erased by simply disconnecting the battery cable. Check the service manual for specifics on erasing trouble codes. A typical procedure is as follows: 1. Apply the parking brake 2. Push the VSA OFF switch and hold it, then turn the ignition switch ON 3. Hold the VSA OFF switch for 3-5 seconds, then release the VSA OFF switch 4. After 3 seconds, the VSA activation indicator should blink 4 times. This indicates that the DTCs have been cleared

TexasHonda

11 = RF wheel sensor short/open in circuit
61 = Low +B-FSR voltage
71 = Different diameter tire
83 = ECM/PCM

4 short flashes are questionable. not clear they are a code, perhaps a result of interface.

1-2 is also RF wheel sensor fault. electrical fault or intermittent.

Have you changed tires or added new tires. It could be difference between worn and new tires may cause problems.

I would suggest trying to reset the memory (see link) and see what comes back.

To address the faults yourself the shop manual has links for each code to a diagnostic procedure. I can email the DTC Index if you PM your email address.

good luck

m3nate

This is making more sense now. The VSA module went bad approx 2 months ago, and ive just now gotten around to replacing. However, about 3 weeks ago, i hit a chunk of concrete on the road and flattened the right front.

I had it replaced (all other tires are 2 months old, so tread depth is similar), but wasnt sure if anything in the wheel arch had been damaged in the incident. Nothing looked to be damaged upon visual inspection, but the wheel speed sensor may be the culprit. Will need to reset codes and see.

One question: I just went through the DTC code reset procedure below and was unsuccessful. Do i need to have pins 4 and 9 jumpered on the OBDII port during this procedure?

"Erasing DTCs: The VSA module stores DTCs in the EEPROM, therefore they cannot be erased by simply disconnecting the battery cable. Check the service manual for specifics on erasing trouble codes. A typical procedure is as follows:

1. Apply the parking brake

2. Push the VSA OFF switch and hold it, then turn the ignition switch ON

3. Hold the VSA OFF switch for 3-5 seconds, then release the VSA OFF switch

4. After 3 seconds, the VSA activation indicator should blink 4 times. This indicates that the DTCs have been cleared"

TexasHonda

I checked my Acura 2004-2008 TSX e-manual and there was no procedure indicated to erase DTC's except w/ HDS. I was hoping you would confirm the procedure in the link worked.

A faulty and intermittent RF wheel speed sensor might cause the DTC's presented. I would try to run down that sensor fault and see if system will reset itself,...eventually.

good luck

TexasHonda

Any progress?

Following link may help. See procedure for reset down the page.
http://www..com/forums/1st-gen-engin...sa-switch.html

regards

m3nate

Posting the procedure you were referring to so we can have all this info in 1 thread for others.

Anyway, i did the reset and neutral setting procedures. I think the reset worked, but the neutral setting one did not. Im going to re-read the codes this weekend and see if they have changed.


This is from the other forum: "I still havent gotten a chance to go to the dealer to reset the VSA as yet, but I did find this info below on acura zine on how to reset it, but does anyone on here know which pin is the 9th one??????????????????


I have fixed the problem myself without Dealer Scanner!
First of all you need to clear abs errors (that is the main problem why i have failed earlier).

1) Make a shortcut between 4 pin and 9th
2) Press with your foot on the brake pedal and switch on the ignition.
3) Wait for the ABS lamp to turn off and then remove your foot from the brake pedal.
4) Wait for the ABS lamp to turn on and press with your foot on the brake pedal again.
5) ABS lamp should turn off, then remove your foot from the brake pedal.
6) Wait for two flashes of ABS lamp. If it flashes it means that errors are erased.

Check the errors, not removing the shortcut - just turn the ignition on, if ABS lamp do not flashes, so no errors are in memory.

Now the main part.

VSA Neutral position setting

Do not touch the brake pedal anymore.

1) Make a shortcut of 9th pin to chassis (i have used a bolt on a door hinge )
2) Turn the ignition on, after ABS lamp turns off, shortly press the "VSA off" button
3) After ABS lamp turns on again, shortly press the "VSA off" button.
4) Now shoud be a lot of different blinks and fashes and all lamps ABS, VSA and triangle should turn off. The problems solved.
5) Open the beer bottle!"

TexasHonda

Thanks for followup. I hope I never have to use, but JIC

good luck

m3nate

Update. The code reset procedure described above worked for clearing out all of the old codes. I am now dealing with the VSA neutral position issue as i fear the second procedure did not work. I am going to retry tonight and see if i can get that to work.

Right now i have codes:
7-1 - Different size tire - Going to make sure all my pressures are even.
8-4 - VSA neutral position - This is the one that im not sure i can take care of without the stealer.

TexasHonda

Looks like you're doing the VSA Neutral Setting correctly.

Perhaps the code 71 is causing the code 84. Looking at 71, only possibility is low inflation or wrong size tire from shop manual. However a dirty speed sensor might cause this problem. Suggest removing and cleaning the sensor and tone ring (stuff rag in hole and turn wheel). A small possibility of faulty VSA modulator control unit. You can bet this will be Acura's diagnosis.

good luck

m3nate

I lost this thread, but coming back to it to post my resolution as i finally got this fixed. To recap: All lights VSA/ABS/brake came on indicating that my ABS pump module was bad.

Here's what i found:

First, it was in fact the ABS module, and i had to have that replaced. I didnt want to pay the exorbitant $1900 cost for a new one, so i went about trying to find a used one which turned out to be VERY hard. I ended up going through 5 of them before finding the right one.

Things to remember:
1. The ABS pumps are different, not in size or PART NUMBER, but only in programming between automatic and manual cars. If you get one, you must get a pump from a car with the same transmission or it will not work.
2. Lots of places say that accord pumps are interchangeable with TSX pumps, which they should be...but the 2 main hydraulic lines that hook into the block of the pump are 12mm on an accord pump and 14mm on a TSX pump...you need to get a TSX one.

My car is a manual, which made this much tougher because they are more rare. I cant stress enough how frustrating it is that the manual and auto pumps have the same part numbers but are different.

Anyway, i ended up contacting junk yards through the internet parts exchange putting out a feeler asking for my specific pump, and was contacted by 3 places the same day. I would suggest going this route to get your part as opposed to ebay or other places where parts are described incorrectly. I thought of it as a last resort, but it ended up being the fix that i needed.

Lastly...i still have an ABS pump that fits an automatic TSX from 05-06 if anyone needs one. If you have this issue and need any help, PM me and ill be glad to give some pointers.

EM2typeflex

THIS IS EXACTLY THE INFORMATION I NEEDED!

I'm having an issue with my vsa modulator / abs pump and I was needing to know if there was a difference between the manual and automatic transmission versions.

EM2typeflex

Update!

My VSA /ABS was the problem. BE SURE TO GET THE SAME YEAR AND TRANSMISSION AS YOUR CAR.

TexasHonda

Thanks for followup.

Do you mean the modulator unit under the hood or control unit under dash? How much did it cost?

good luck

EM2typeflex

the one under the hood, I bought it used off eBay for $75 shipped