New member, questions about forum.

[LI_Grasshopper]

Hi everyone,

I'll be picking up my newly acquired EX-L tomorrow from the dealer and so I just joined the forum yesterday. So far I have found the site to be very useful for reading up on common issues people have had with their Pilots and prices people are spending on their ride.

However, I do find it a bit difficult to find technical materials on this forum at a central location. For example, I would of thought to find many "DIY" articles in the stickies to perform common maintenance items such as oil changes, tranny and coolant flush, brakes, belts and plug replacements, etc...
But most importantly, is there a section on the forum that shows how to decode CEL codes from the ECU to self diagnose problems?

In the meantime, I would like to contribute to this forum by providing this link:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...alls/index.cfm

You will be able to look up ALL vehicle recalls and TSBs (including the Honda's tranny 2nd gear recall).

[osteome]

I have not run across a thread dedicated soley to error codes. Even doing a search does not reveal much, at least in a concerted location. Perhaps those with the Electronic Troubleshooting or Service Manuals could provide some insight (no pun intended) or even a thread similar to the one which contains the owner's manual. "hondaman2" could really be helpful (not that he has not been very helpful already).

In regards to general maintenance, the VSM and engine oil changes and the cabin air filter replacement have been covered, but not collected into a single thread under "maintenance". Perhaps these are due for a sticky. I personally use the stealership for oil changes and tire rotation, but intend to most everything else on my own (at least what can be done without a garage roof overhead).

One thought though... will error codes really be an issue until at least 3 years or 36,000 miles have passed?

Welcome to the board....and invetiabley you will be harrassed for photos of your new ride. So be sure to post in the gallery section before jay chimes in with

[john802]

LI_Grasshopper - Advance congrats on your new Pilot and Welcome Aboard!!!
As far as retrieving codes from ECU, I think you need a special instrument or gadget to do it.

[LI_Grasshopper]

Guys,

Thanks for the warm welcome! I guess I'm a bit spoiled with my maxima.

The CEL can be simply decoded by turning a screw on the ECU and put it into test mode. From there a serious of contiuous fast blinking and slow blinking on/off of the CEL light would indicate the code it's spitting out and once you have that number, you can find out what the problem(s) are. From there you can try to fix it yourself and reset the ECU or take it to a dealer to fix but at least you know what the problem is so they can't BS you about fixing something that's not broken. Knowledge is power!

Anyway, I guess I was hoping that since the Pilot also has a ECU, the same process can be done to decode problems.

Oh yeah, I'll try to post some pics soon eventhough it's the standard Black EX-L.

[john802]

LI_Grasshopper - Why don't you send a PM to hondaman2 to find out how to retrieve a code from ECU. He is a former Honda tech guy, so he should know.

[hondaman2]

congrats on your new pilot. As I understand it you want to know how to retreive codes from the ecu. I will try and help you best I can.

Since 1996 all cars have whats called an On Board Diagnostics II system or OBDII for short. You will need an OBDII scan tool to recover the codes.

There may be a way without the scan tool. Access your ecu and look at the LED. Turn the key to the ON position(idiot lights on dash) and the LED should flash with a code. I am not sure about this because I have never tried it with 2000 + cars because I have a scan tool. But I know with the earlier OBDII cars the LED still flashes. To decipher the flashes you count the blinks on the LED. Short blink is a 1, long blink is a 10, like morse code. Example:

. = short _ = long

.... = 4 _ .. = 12

after the code is displayed, the ecu will either run another code after 2 seconds of the last code or repeat the same code.

If you have an OBDII scan tool which is much easier you just plug it in, turn the key on(idiot lights on dash) and scroll thru the menu to get the codes and to turn the MIL light off.

If you dont have one of these take the car to a generic foreign car mechanic and have them do it for a small fee. Or you can buy them on Ebay for cheap like 200 bucks(cheap compared to the 4000 dealer scan tool).

[hondaman2]

codes page 1

[hondaman2]

codes page 2

[hondaman2]

codes page 3

[hondaman2]

there are other units in the Pilot that give out codes as well. The A/C, ABS, climate control, transmission, SRS, and the VTM-4. I gave you the major ones. The test proceedures are long winded. The above systems can be tested by plugging in the OBDII unit and counting the number of flashes on the appropriate LED except the climate control which has its own screen.

When the problem arises I will post pictures but to do that now I would have to scan about 40% of the Tech Manual and its about 2 inches thick.

[hondaman2]

The ECU on the Pilot is now called the PCM. To manually reset the ECU or erase the code and thus turning the MIL light off(check engine) remove the no. 13 fuse on the passenger side fuse block Labeled Clock Back Up for 10 seconds. Its a 7.5 amp fuse. Or you can use the OBDII scan tool to turn it off.

The PCM is located behind the glove box and the passengers center console on the far left.

[LI_Grasshopper]

Great info Hondaman2!

This is exactly what I'm talking about but since no one has previously decipher out all the codes yet, the process is a bit more difficult on the Pilot. Thanks for posting the pages of codes and the instruction on how to reset the CEL, these will be useful. If we're lucky, someone out there might be able to break the codes down and make them available via a website for people interested in self diagnosing their cars in the near future!

[74PILOTMOM]

Thank you Hondaman!

Using codes like this from a Civic site is how we self diagnosed our bad 02 sensor in our high mileage Civic VX. This kind of info saved us over $300 (maybe more) plus a steal on Ebay for the correct part

You are proving yourself very useful around here. Great to have you, and welcome to the site, LI_Grasshopper
Black Pilots are gorgeous!

[hondaman2]

When diagnosing codes I suggest first that you reset the check engine light to make sure it is not just something that came and went. If the light comes back on then you got a possible problem.

The number 1 code we get on 2001 and newer Honda is the P1456.

It means you have fuel vapor leaking from the gas tank, like when you open the cap to put gas in it on a low tank and you get that hissing sound. Well this is because the gas cap is loose or you over filled the gas tank. You need to tighten it until the cap clicks. There is a sensor there and I dont know if its a way to get you into the dealer so they can charge you 70 dollar diagnosis fee because it is so easy to produce.

Just make sure your cap is secure and save yourself from a 70 dollar embarassment.

Has anyone ever had this problem?

hope this helps