4ws ..... problem ???

[vanhalen]

The 4WS light remains on within the dash and it is very disconcerting to drive around with 4ws on at all times.

Does anyone know what the problem may be and what do i have to do to get back to good old two wheel steer ?

Kind regards and thanks in advance

[94preludeSI]

When the 4ws light is on... that means it is not working. The rear wheels lock up straight so your car is basically running now as a regular prelude si. If I were you I would try to fix the 4ws. I think it's a pretty awsome feature. But hey, thats just my

[Prelewd]

Is it on all the time? Just sometimes?

[vanhalen]

Thanks for the reply. However, the light remains on at all times and the car is always in 4ws mode.

Always feels like i am about to lose the back end due to oversteer.

At high speed (Britain) 70+mph, say 85mph, if the tyres get into a lorry rut, then immediately the back end lurches sideways. Not dramatically, but enough to cause alarm !!!

Thanks in advance

Ps ... not a novice driver, had plenty of fast cars but never experienced this problem with Preludes of any generation

[scotsmark]

I had this problem a year or so ago and it cost me £65 for Honda to "fix" the problem. I've since learnt that chances are all they done was take out a fuse and put it back in again which resets the 4WS. My understanding was that if the 4WS light is on then the 4WS is NOT functioning and you only have 2 wheel steer.

Below is a reply I received when posting the same question.....

"There are a few reasons why the 4WS light comes on:

1. Driving with the handbrake on.
2. Hitting a kerb whilst reversing.
3. Full-lock turning manoeuvres. Especially whilst trying to park in tight spaces where the car is not moving much. Can confuse the system.
4. The sensor is playing up.

Just because the 4WS light comes on does not mean that there is a problem. If the sensor detects a possible problem it will shut down the system and centre the wheels so that no further damage can occur.

To reset the 4WS, shut the engine off and reset the ECU. To do this take out the fuse for about 5-10 seconds and then replace it. Start the car up and turn the steering wheel from left full-lock to right full-lock. If the 4WS light goes off then everything is fine.

If the light stays on then you do have a problem and should you take the car to Honda to check it out.

The only problems I have had with my 4WS is the full-lock turning manoeuvres, resetting the ECU cures this. The other problem I have is with the sensor, every now and then when I am reversing out of a parking space, the light will come on even though I have not hit anything. I reset the ECU and problem goes away. I have spoken to someone at a Honda garage and he reckons that there is a loose wire in the sensor. I would get it fixed but my boot is fitted with audio equipment and it will be quite a job to get to the sensor. Only when it goes from being a nuisance to a real problem will I get it fixed.

Whatever you do don't pay £65 for them to reset the 4WS, do it yourself."

Hope this is of some help.

[vanhalen]

Many thanks for your help and advice

Also, if it is of any help. I definately have four wheel steer when the light is 'on'.

Off now to find the fuse that serves the sensor :-)

[jdrumstik]

yeah, I have 4ws, and my light is off, I didn't even know there was a light, but it works for sure, and I beleive that it only kicks in after you have cranked the wheel around once or so, so it on't inact on the freeway.

[wayno77]

Hi,

I recently had to have a new steering rack on the front of my Lude.

Ever since, the 4WS light has been on. After reading this thread, I unplugged the battery and reconnected it and the light went out ... for a while. It then came back on again. I have now had to disconnect the battery about once a day now.

The reason I am having to take the battery off is because pulling the 4WS fuses (internal or under the bonnet/hood) out and putting them back in again doesn't make any difference. Also, I cannot see an ECU fuse in the manual - just a ECM. Is that the same thing? I took it out anyway and made no difference.

What other fuses could I try so I don't have to keep taking the battery off and then resetting my stereo!!!!

Thinking about it, I haven't taken both internal and under the bonnet/hood 4WS fuses out at the same time - would that work?

Many thanks for any info.

PS You really do notice the difference when there is no 4WS! It's horrible without it!!!

[Braingrenade]

I've had the same problem on my 96 2.2 VTEC (UK Spec). Had Honda look at it a couple of times and 'cleared' the fault with no apparent problem, charging me £30 each time for the priviledge. After a couple of days it would come on again, most of the time whilst reversing from a parking spot.

Finally discovered how to clear it myself by removing the clock/radio fuse for a couple of seconds. But this still only gives me a couple of days of fun motoring before the thing packs up again.

At my last honda service the fault appeared during their road test, reassuring cause before they had always claimed I must be clipping the kerbs (sidewalks) or forcing full lock. Eventually they confirmed that this was a common fault with the 4WS ECU's and that my best chance of fixing the problem for good would be a replacement ECU. A costly gamble considering it may actually be a dodgy sensor elsewhere.

It would be great if I could 'borrow' a healthy ECU to prove where the fault lies but am not aware of anywhere that would accommodate this. I'm resigned to the fact I will have to live with this 4WS 'feature' as I am not keen to start getting into the electronic guts with a soldering iron (as suggested elsewhere). Having to reset the clock every couple of days is a small price to pay for great handling. Ba Humbug!

[honda_racing101]

Your a little late on this one noob.

From now on check when the last time someone responded in the thread. This particular thread is over a year old.

[Braingrenade]

Sorry I must have missunderstood the meaning of the word 'Thread'.

I'll be sure start a new one next time.