1998 HONDA CIVIC Short to ground

I
VTEC Control System
Troubleshooting Flowchart (cont'd)
VTEC PRESSURE SwlTCH 2PCONNECTOR
Wire side of female(€rmrnats
VTEC SOLENOID VALVE lPCONNECTOR
I r----'t I
ll ' ff---r'-'1
I
I
-L
Terminal side ofmale terminal
A/T LOW PRESSUREw/PAt{EL07406-0070300
NOTE: Keep measuring time as short aspossible because engine is running with noload (less than one minute).
PRESSURE GAUGEADAPTER07NAJ - P07010A
A/T PRESSURE I{OSE07406 - 0020201
ot
A/T PRESSURE HOSE.2,210 mm07MAJ - PY&llA andA/T PRESSURE ADAPTER07MAJ - PY,()120
6-4
(From page 6-3)
(To page 6-5)
Test the VTEC Pr6suro SwitchWiro:Nleasure voltage across the VTECpressure switch 2P connector.
. Rcpai. opon in tho wirebrtw.en VTEC pr6.urc switchand G101.. lf th. wir6 b OK, sub.thuto alnown-good ECM/PCM !ndracheck.
ls there baftery voltage?
Te3t the VTEC Solonoid V.lve:1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.2. Disconnect the VTEC solenoidvalve 1P connector.3. Check for continuity betweenthe VTEC solenoid valve 1Pconnector terminal No. 1 andbody ground.
ls there 14 - 30 0?
Te3t tho WEC Solonoid Vatvo:'1. Remove the VTEC pressureswatch and install the specialtool as shown, then reinstallthe VTEC pressure switch.2. Reconnoct the VTEC solenoidvalve 1P connector and VTECpressure switch 2P connector.3, Connect the tachometer (seesection 11).4. Stan the engine.5, Warm up engine to normaloperating temperature (cool,ing fan comes on).6. Check oil pressure at enginespeeds D16Y5 engine: 1,000and 3.000 rpm, D16Y8 engine:1,000,3,000 and 5,000 rpm.
ls pressure below 49 kPa(0.5 kgflcm,, 7 psi)?In.poct the VTEC aolonoid vllvols.c p.g. &6).
:(
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VTEC Control SYstem
The scan tool indicates Diagnostic Trouble Code {DTC) Pl259:
VTEC Solenoid Valve circuit
Refer to page 1'l-38 through 11 55 before troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Flowchart
YES
A problem in the WEC Pressure Switch circuit or
* Road Test:Accelerate in 1st gear to an engine speed over 6,000 rp '
Hold that engine speed for at leasttwo seconos'
lf the DTC P1259 is not repeated during the first road test'
repeat this test two more times
VTEC PRESSURE SWITCH 2P
CONNECTOR
Terminalside ofmale termtnals
WM
/1 IBLU/BLKI
/ 1 Y------rt--------- l I
\1-/ |I
I
I1
Wire side of femaleterminals
(cont'd)
6-51
The MIL has been teported on.
DTC P1259 is siored.
Check the VTEC Control SYsiem:
1. Do the engine control module(ECM ) Reset Procedure (see
section 11).
2. Start the engine
3. Warm uP the engine to normal
operating temPerature (cool
ing fan comes on).
4. Do the Road Test.*lntermittent failure, sYstem is OK
at this time.Check for Poor connectlons or
loose wires at VTEC Pressureswilch. VTEC aolenoid valvo and
ECM.
ls DTC P1259 indicated?
Test the VTEC Pressure Switch:
1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
2. Disconnect the VTEC Pressure
switch 2P connector.
3. Check for continuity between
VTEC pressure switch 2P con
nector telminal No 1 and
No.2.
Reolace the VTEC Pre3sure switch.
Test the VTEC Pressure Switch
Wire:1. Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).
2. N4easure the voltage between
VTEC press u re switch 2P
connector No. 1 and bodyground,
Inspect lor an open or short toground in the wire between the
VTEC orassure swilch and ECM
{c101.lf the wire i3 OK, substitute a
known-good ECM and recheck.
{To page 6 52)

(From page 6-52)
Test the VTEC Solenoid Valve:
1. Turn the ignition switch OFF
2. Disconnect the VTEC solenoid
valve 1P connector,
3. Attach the batterY Posrtrveterminal to the VTEC solenoid
valve terminal.4. Start the engine and check
the oil Pressure at engine
speed ol5,000 rPm
lrcoect the VTEC solenoid valve(see page S54)ls the pressure above 390 kPa(4.0 kgt/cm?, 57 Psi)?
Test the VTEC Pressure Switch:
With the battery Positive terminal
connected to the VTEC solenoid
valve, measure voltage between
the ECM connector terminal C10
and body ground.
ls there battery voltage above
5,000 rpm?
Test the VTEC Solenoid Valve
Wire:1. Turn the ignition switch OFF
2. Check for continuitv between
the VTEC solenoid valve 1P
con nector terminal and the
ECM connector terminal 812
Repair open in the wire between
the ECM lB12| and VTEC aolenoid
Test lhe VTEC Solenoid Valve
Wire:Check for continuity between the
VTEC solenoid valve'lP connector
terminal and body ground.
Repair short in the wiro b€'tween
the ECM ( 812) and VTEC aolenoid
Substitute a known'good ECM
and recheck. lI sYmptom/indica'tion goes away. repleca the origi-
nal ECM.
VTEC SOLENOID VALVE
1P CONNECTOR
Terminal side ofmale terminal
VIEC SOLENOIDVALVE1P CONNECIOR
ECM CONNECTORB l2sP)
ECM CONNECTOR C (31PI
WM
Wire side ot female
termrnals
VTEC SOLENOID VALVE
1P CONNECTOR
I'ft
I
I
Wire side of female
termanal
6-53

Troubleshooting
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTGI Chart (cont'dl
*7: D16YS engine (M/T)*8: D16Y5, D'16Y8 engine*9: USA model*14r'97 model*15r '96 model
DTC(MlL indicationlDetection lt6mProbablc CausePage
P1162+1 (48)Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor(Sensor 1) CircuitMalfunction
Open or short in Primarv HO2S (Sensor 1Primary H02S (Sensor 1)1 1- 146
P]163' (61)Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor(Sensor '1) CircuitSlow Response
. Primary HO2S (Sensor 1)
11-145
Pl164*r (61)Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor(Sensor l) Cjrcuit Range/Performance Problem
. Primary HO2S (Sensor 1)
1 1- 150
P1165*? (61)Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor(Sensor 1) Circuit Range/Performance Problem
. Primary HO2S (Sensor 1)
11-150
P1166' (41i
Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor(Sensor '1) Heater System ElectricalProblem
Open or short in Primary HO2S (Sensor 1)heater circuitPrimary HO2S (Sensor 1)ECM/PCM
1 1-'161
P1167*' (41)Primary Heated Oxygen SensorlSensor 1) Heater SystemMalfunction
Open in Primary HO2S (Sensor 1) VS+ circuitPrimary HO2S (Sensor 1) HeaterPrimarv HO2S {Sensor 1)1 1- 163
P1168*' (48)Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor(Sensor 1) LABEL Low Input
. Short in Primary HO2S (Sensor 1) LABELcircuit11-151
Pl169*? (48)
Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor(Sensor 1)IABEL High Input. Open in Primary HO2S (Sensor 1)IABELcircuit. Short in ground circuit11.152
P1259*3(221
WEC System MalfunctionWEC Solenoid ValveOpen or short in WEC SolenoidValve circu itVTEC Pressure SwitchOpen or short in VTEC Pressure SwitchcircuitECM,FCM
Section 6
P1297*s (20)Electrical LoadDetector CircuitLow Input
Electrical Load DetectorElectrical Load Detector circuitECM/PCM11-179
Pr298+' l20l
Electrical LoadDetector CircuitHigh Input
Electrical Load DetectorElectrical Load Detector circuitECM/PCM1 1-181
anosome ofP0301P0302P0303P0304
l71ll72ll73ll7 4l
Bandom Misfirelgnition systemFuel supply systemMAP sensorEGR systemIAC valveContaminated fuelLack ol fuel
11-166
1 1-100

How to Read Flowcharts
A flowchart is designed to be used from start to final repair. lt's like a map showing you the shortest distance. But beware:
lf you go off the "map" anywhere but a "stop" symbol, you can easily get lost.
tSrARTl(bold type)
FanoNl
@
tsroP I
{bold type)
Describes the conditions or situation to start a troubleshooting flowchart.
Asks you to do something; perform a test, set up a condition etc.
Asks you about the result of an action, then sends you in the appropriate troubleshooting direction.
The end of a series of actions and decisions. describes a final repair action and sometimes directs you to
an earlier part of the flowchart to confirm your repair,
NOTE:
. The term "lntermittent Failure" is used in these charts, lt simply means a system may have had a failure. but it checks
out OK at this time. lf the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MlL) on the dash does not come on, check for poor connections
or loose wires at all connectors related to the circuit that you are troubleshooting (see illustration below)'
. Most of the troubleshooting flowcharts have you reset the Engine Control Moduls (ECM)/Powertrain Control Module
(pCM) and try to duplicate the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). lf the problem is intermittent and you can't duplicate the
code, do not continue though the flowchart. To do so will only result in confusion and, possibly, a needlessly replaced
ECM/PCM.
. ,,Open" and "Short" are common electrical terms. An open is a break in a wire or at a connection. A short is an acci-
dental connection of a wire to ground or to another wire. In simple electronics, this usually means something won't
work at all. In complex electronics (like ECM's/PCM'sl. this can sometim€s mean something works, but not the way it's
suDDosed to.
toosE
1 1-103

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Engine Control Module/Powertrain Control Module (ECM/PCM)
t'96 - 98 Models,'99 - 00 Dl6Y5 engine with M/Tl
L
NOTE: lf th is svmptom is intermittent, check for a loose fuse No. 25 {METER 7.5 A) in the
underdash {use/relay box, a poor connection at ECM/PCM terminal A18, or an intermit
tent ooen in the GRN/ORN wire between the ECM/PCM (A18) and the gauge assemblv.
ECM/PCM CONNECTOR A I32PIPGl {BLKI
Wire side ot female terminals
ECM/PCM CONNECTOR A (32P}
Wire side of female terminals
(cont'd)
11-107
The Malfunc{ion Indicator Lamp
{MlLl never comes on (even lor
two secondsl atter ignition is
turned on.
Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).
- Repair short or open in thewile botwoen No. 25 {M€TERI
17,5 Altus€ and gau99 assem'
bty.- Replaco No.25 IMETERI (7,5
A)tuse.
ls the low oil pressure light on?
Try to start the engine.
Does the engine stan?
Check lor an open in the wiles
{PG linosl:1. Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).
2. ldeasure vo ltage betweenbody ground and ECM/PCMconnector terminals A10 andA23 individually.
Check tor an open in the wire ot
bulb (MlL line):1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
2. Connect the ECM/PCM con-nector terminal A'18 to bodyground with a jumper wire.3. Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).
Repair open in the wire(s)
between ECM/PCM and G101(localod at the thetmostat hous_ingl that had more than 1.0 V.
ls thore less than 1.0 V?
Substituto . known-good ECM/PCM and recheck. It symptom/indication go6s away, roPlace
the origin.l ECM/PCM.
- Repair open in th€ wiresbetwoen ECM/PCM lAl8l andgaug6 a$embly.- Replace the MIL bulb,
ls the MIL on?
Substitute a known-good ECM/
PCM and .echeck. lf symptom/indication goes away, replacothe origin.l ECM/PCM.
268l011
12l3t5t61tIt192022232a
2527xt30
MrL I luanpen wrnrIGRN/ORN) I
!1,

PGM-FI System
Engine Control Module/Powertrain Control Module (ECM/PCMI
('96 - 98 Models,'99 - 00 Dl6Y5 engine with M/Tl (cont'd)
NOTE:. When there is oo Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) stored, the MtL wi

stay on if the SCSservace connector is connected and the ignition switch is on,. lf this symptom is intermittent, checklor:- A loose Fl E/M 115 A) fuse in the under hood luse/relay box- A loose No. 13 FUEL PUMP fuse (15 A) in the underdash fuse/relay box- An intermittent shon in the wire between the ECM/PCM (C7) and the service cnecKconnector- An intermittent short in the wire between the ECM/PCM (A18) and the gaugeassembly- An intermittent shon in the wire between the ECM/PCM {D4) and the MAp sensorAn intermittent short in the wire between the ECM/PCM (D10), the Tp sensor, theEGR valve l:ft sensor (D16Y5 engine) and/or the Fuel tank pressure sensor (,96Dl6Y8 engine (coupe), '97 016Y7 engine (coupe: KL model, sedan: KL (LX) modeli,'97 016Y8 engine {coupe: all models, sedan: KL modeti,'98,all models}- PGM-FImain relay. See the OBD ll scan tool or Honda PGM Tester user's manuals lor specitic operatinginstructions.
ECM/PCM CONNECTOR C 13lPI
Wire side of female terminals
(To page 11 109)
(To page 11,109)
11-108
The Maltunction Indicator Lamp(MlLl stays on o. comes on eftartwo s€conds,
Check the Oiagnoslic TroubleCode {DTC}I1. Connect a scan tool or HondaPGM Tester.2. Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).
3. Read the DTC with the scantool or Honda PGM Tester.
Go to troubleshooting p.oc€dur€s(se€ pago 11{11.Are any DTC{s) indicated?
Check the DTC by MIL indication:1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.2. Connect the SCS service con,nector to the service checkconnector.3. Turn the ignition switch ON (lli.
Repair opon ol short in wirebotwoen the ECM/PCM (C8)
and Data Link Connector.Go to troublelhooting proce-dure ls6e page 11-811.
Does the MIL indicate any DTC?
Try to start the engine.
Does the engine start?
Check for a short in the wire(SCS lin€l:1. Disconnect the SCS serviceconnector.2. Stop the engine and turn theignition switch ON {lli.3. Measure voltage between theECM/PCM connector terminalC7 and body ground.
Ropair short to body Iround inthe wire betweon ECM/PCM lCTland sorvice check connector.
ls there approx. 5 V?
scs tBRNI

PGM-FI System
(From page 11-109)
Replace the sensor that causedthe light to go out.Does the N4lL go OFF?
Check fo. a short in the wi.os(VCC lines):':. Turn the ignition switch OFF.2. Disco n n ect the ECM/PCMconnector D (16P).
3. Check for continuity betweenbody ground and ECM/PCMconnector terminals D4 andD10 individually.
Ropair short to body groundin the wire betweon ECM/PCM {O4) and MAP s6n3or.Repair short to body groundin the wire between ECM/PCM lD10l, the TP sensor, theEGR valve lift sensor {D16Y5engine) and/or the Fuel tankpressure sensor {'96 Dl6Ygengine lcoupe),'97 D16Y7engine (coupe: KL model,sedan: KL (LXl model), '97
D16Y8 engine (coupe: allmodels, sedan: KL model. €8-allmodelsl.
ls there continuity?
Check tor rn open in the wires(lGP lines):1. Disconnect the fuel injectorsand IAC valve connectors,2. Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).3. Meas u re voltage betweenbody ground and ECM/PCMconnector terminals A11 and424 indivjdually.- Repair open in the wirels)between ECM/PCM (A11,A24land PGM-Fl main relay.- Check for poor connectionsor loose wiras at the PGM-FImain relay,- Test the PGM-FI mdin relavlsee pag6 11-237).
ls there battery vohage?
Check for an open in the wires(LG line3):1. Reconnect all sensor connectors.2. Reconnect the ECM/PCM con-nector D (16P).
3. Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).4. Measure vo ltage betweenbody ground and ECM/PCMconnector terminals Ag andA22 individually.
Repair open in the wirolglb€twe€n ECM/PCM {A9, A22} andG101 that had more than 1.0 V.
ls there less than 1.0 V?
Substitute 6 known-good ECM/PCM and r€check. lf symptom/indication 9o€s away, replacethe original ECM/PCM.
Engine Control Module/Powertrain Control Module (ECM/pCMl
('96 - 98 Models, '99 - 00 D16Y5 engine with M/Tl (cont,dl
ECM/PCM CONNECTOR D {16P}
Wire side of female terminals
ECM/PCM CONNECTOR A (32P}
Wire side of female terminals
11-110
LG1
VCCl {YEL/RED}
IGP 1{YEL/BLKI
2I11
1213l5t6Itt8t9202321
25272a2930
IGP 2(YEL/BLKIv) (l
{8RN/BLK)
I258tol1'12tt11t5l617t8t920232a
2A2330
LG2{8RN/8LK}