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DTC P16FA

DTC P16FA:  Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Internal Circuit Malfunction (Starter Control Circuit Malfunction)

General Description 

GHH318455Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

The starter control system prevents sudden vehicle move when it is in the driving range by prohibiting starter activation while the shift lever position is in other than P or N. It also prevents damaging the starter pinion gear by prohibiting starter activation while the engine is running. If the powertrain control module (PCM) judges that the shift lever position is in other than P or N when the vehicle is turned to the START mode, the PCM prohibits the starter activation. If the vehicle is turned mistakenly while the engine is running, the PCM judges to prohibit the starter activation according to the engine speed information and stops applying power to the starter cut relays. In this system, two starter cut relays are connected in series (starter cut relay 1, starter cut relay 2) to prevent the starter from continuing to run due to a starter cut relay malfunction. To activate the starter, the starter control latch circuit and the drive cut circuit which are in the PCM are switched ON to apply power to the starter cut relays. When the starter control latch circuit ON malfunction is occurred, the drive cut circuit forcibly shuts down output to the starter control latch circuit to prevent the starter from continuing to run. If the starter control latch circuit return signal is LOW when the starter is ON, the PCM detects an OFF malfunction of the starter control latch circuit and stores a DTC.

Monitor Execution, Sequence, Duration, DTC Type, OBD Status 

Execution Continuous
Sequence None
Duration 2.0 seconds or more
DTC Type One drive cycle, MIL on
OBD Status PASSED/FAILED/NOT COMPLETED (STILL TESTING)

Enable Conditions 

Condition  
Ignition switch or Engine start/stop button Vehicle START mode

Malfunction Threshold 

The starter control latch circuit (in the PCM) returns a signal LOW to the CPU for at least 2.0 seconds.

Possible Cause 

NOTE: The causes shown may not be a complete list of all potential problems, and it is possible that there may be other causes.

NOTE: 

Diagnosis Details 

Conditions for setting the DTC 

When a malfunction is detected, the MIL comes on and a Pending DTC, a Confirmed DTC, and the freeze data are stored in the PCM memory.

Conditions for clearing the DTC 

The MIL is cleared if the malfunction does not return in three consecutive trips in which the diagnostic runs. The MIL, the Pending DTC, the Confirmed DTC, and the freeze data can be cleared with the scan tool Clear command or by disconnecting the battery.