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DTC P1659: ETCS Control Relay OFF Malfunction

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2015 Honda Crosstour, 2014 Honda Crosstour, 2013 Honda Crosstour, 2012 Honda Crosstour, and 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE: Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board snapshot, and review the general troubleshooting information (see GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ).
  1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
  2. Clear the DTC with the HDS.
  3. Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.

    Is DTC P1659 indicated? 

    YES  -Go to next step.

    NO  -Intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the ETCS control relay and the PCM.

  4. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
  5. Check the No. A18 DBW (ETCS) (15 A) fuse in the under-hood fuse/relay box.

    Is the fuse OK? 

    YES  -Go to next step.

    NO  -Go to step  18.

  6. Remove the ETCS control relay (A) from the under-hood fuse/relay box.
    Fig 1: Identifying ETCS Control Relay
    G06422666Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  7. Test the ETCS control relay (see POWER RELAY TEST ).

    Is the ETCS control relay OK? 

    YES  -Go to next step.

    NO  -Replace the ETCS control relay, then go to step  29.

  8. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
  9. Measure the voltage between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground.
    Fig 2: Measuring Voltage Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal No. 3 And Body Ground
    G06422667Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there battery voltage? 

    YES  -Go to next step.

    NO  -Replace the under-hood fuse/relay box (see REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), then go to step  28.

  10. Measure the voltage between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 1 and body ground.
    Fig 3: Measuring Voltage Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal No. 1 And Body Ground
    G06422668Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there battery voltage? 

    YES  -Go to next step.

    NO  -Replace the under-hood fuse/relay box (see REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), then go to step  28.

  11. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
  12. Jump the SCS line with the HDS.
  13. Disconnect PCM connector C (49P).
  14. Check for continuity between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 2 and PCM connector terminal C4.
    Fig 4: Identifying ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector terminal No. 2 And PCM Connector Terminal Location
    G06422669Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity? 

    YES  -Go to next step.

    NO  -Repair an open in the wire between the PCM (C4) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step  29.

  15. Disconnect PCM connector A (49P).
  16. Check for continuity between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 4 and PCM connector terminal A29.
    Fig 5: Identifying ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal No. 4 And PCM Connector Terminal Location
    G06422670Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity? 

    YES  -Go to step  18.

    NO  -Repair an open in the wire between the PCM (A29) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step  28.

  17. Remove the ETCS control relay (A) from the under-hood fuse/relay box.
    Fig 6: Identifying ETCS Control Relay
    G06422671Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  18. Jump the SCS line with the HDS.
  19. Disconnect PCM connector C (49P).
  20. Disconnect PCM connector A (49P).
    Fig 7: Identifying PCM Connector Terminal Location
    G06422672Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  21. Check for continuity between PCM connector terminal C4 and body ground.
    Fig 8: Checking Continuity Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal No. 1 And Body Ground
    G06422673Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity? 

    YES  -Repair a short in the wire between the PCM (C4) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step  23.

    NO  -Go to  28 .

  22. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
  23. Reconnect all connectors.
  24. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
  25. Reset the PCM with the HDS.
  26. Do the PCM idle learn procedure (see PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE ).
  27. Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.

    Is DTC P1659 indicated? 

    YES  -Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the ETCs control relay and the PCM, then go to step 1.

    NO  -Troubleshoot is complete. If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs are indicated, go to the indicated DTCs troubleshooting.

  28. Reconnect all connectors.
  29. Update the PCM if it does not have the latest software (see PCM UPDATE ), or substitute a known good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ).
  30. Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.

    Is DTC P1659 indicated? 

    YES  -Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the ETCS control relay and the PCM. If the PCM was updated, substitute a known-good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ), then recheck. If the PCM was substituted, go to 1.

    NO  -If the PCM was updated, troubleshooting is complete. If the PCM was substituted, replace the original PCM (see PCM REPLACEMENT ), If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs are indicated, go to the indicated DTCs troubleshooting.

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