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DTC P1659: Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) Control Relay OFF Malfunction

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 ON (II).
  2. Clear the DTC with the HDS.
  3. Check for Temporary DTCs or DTCs with the HDS.

    Is DTC P1659 indicated? 

    YES  -Go to step 4.

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

  4. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
  5. Check the No. 21 DBW (THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL) (15 A) fuse in the under-hood fuse/relay box.

    Is the fuse OK? 

    YES  -Go to step 6.

    NO  -Go to step  17.

  6. Remove the ETCS control relay (F) from the under-hood fuse/relay box.
    Fig 1: Identifying ETCS Control Relay
    G06265823Courtesy 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 step 8.

    NO  -Replace the ETCS control relay, then go to step  23.

  8. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
  9. Measure voltage between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 4 and body ground.
    Fig 2: Measuring Voltage Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal 4 And Body Ground
    G06265824Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there battery voltage? 

    YES  -Go to step 10.

    NO  -Replace the under-hood fuse/relay box (see REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), then go to step  22.

  10. Measure voltage between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 1 and body ground.
    Fig 3: Measuring Voltage Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal 1 And Body Ground
    G06265825Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there battery voltage? 

    YES  -Go to step 11.

    NO  -Replace the under-hood fuse/relay box (see REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), then go to step  22.

  11. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
  12. Jump the SCS line with the HDS.
  13. Disconnect ECM/PCM connector C (44P).
  14. Check for continuity between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 2 and ECM/PCM connector terminal C1.
    Fig 4: Checking Continuity Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal 2 And ECM/PCM Connector Terminal C1
    G06265826Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity? 

    YES  -Go to step 15.

    NO  -Repair open in the wire between the ECM/ PCM (C1) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step  23.

  15. Disconnect ECM/PCM connector A (44P).
  16. Check for continuity between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 3 and ECM/PCM connector terminal A20.

    Is there continuity? 

    Fig 5: Checking Continuity Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Terminal 3 And ECM/PCM Connector Terminal A20
    G06265827Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    YES  -Go to step  28.

    NO  -Repair open in the wire between the ECM/PCM (A20) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step  23.

  17. Remove the ETCS control relay (F) from the under-hood fuse/relay box.
    Fig 6: Identifying ETCS Control Relay
    G06265828Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  18. Jump the SCS line with the HDS.
  19. Disconnect ECM/PCM connector C (44P).
  20. Check for continuity between ECM/PCM connector terminal C1 and body ground.
    Fig 7: Checking Continuity Between ECM/PCM Connector Terminal C1 And Body Ground
    G06265829Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity? 

    YES  -Repair short in the wire between the ECM/PCM (C1) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step  23.

    NO  -Go to step 21.

  21. Check for continuity between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 1 and body ground.
    Fig 8: Checking Continuity Between ETCS Control Relay 4P Connector Terminal 1 And Body Ground
    G06265830Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity? 

    YES  -Replace the under-hood fuse/relay box (see REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), then go to step  23.

    NO  -Go to step  28.

  22. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
  23. Reconnect all connectors.
  24. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
  25. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.
  26. Do the ECM/PCM idle learn procedure (see ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE ).
  27. Check for Temporary DTCs or DTCs with the HDS.

    Is DTC P1659 indicated? 

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

    NO  -Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Temporary DTCs or DTCs are indicated, go to the indicated DTCs troubleshooting.

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

    Is DTC P1659 indicated? 

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

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

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