Prelude 4WS problem

The 4WS light on my 1992 Prelude doesn't always go out on starting up
hot. I've seen a few comments on this matter on earlier posts but there
didn't seem to be a specific answer.

Starting cold the light always goes out, but if I restart the car hot,
or if the car has been parked in the sun, it often doesn't go out. The
main solution I saw mentioned was poor earthing/grounding, so I'll have
a look at that, but any other comments gratefully received.

The car appears to drive OK with the 4WS not working, just less
manouverable. Is it doing any damage?

Thanks

Barry

 

Find 2-pin service connector behind centre console, by gas pedal, blue
wires. Jumper the two terminals, get flash codes from 4WS light. Report
back.

Steve

 

Barry

I have the same problem. (92' prelude 2.3L manual)



To turn on the 4WS (when the light is on) try this (when you have a manual
gearbox):

While driving at low speed, in 2nd or 3rd gear, turn of the ignition, turn
it on again. (you don't have to start because the car starts it self). Now
the 4WS light is off, and the 4WS is working fine.



Please let me know if it works with your prelude.



Ewald

 

OK - I've just tried this and it worked! I depressed the clutch, turned
off the ignition, turned it back on and released the clutch. The car
lurched a bit but restarted ok and the light went out. I didn't want to
turn it off and on in gear, in case there was a build up of fuel vapour
in the exhaust, leading to a bit of a bang! Or would the fuel injection
not allow fuel into the cylinders with the ignition off?
I'd still like to find out what is causing it in the first place. I
can't find the service connector referred to - I have a right-hand
drive car (we drive on the left here in Oz) so is it on the left hand
side, and do I have to remove the dashboard to get at it?
Thanks

Barry

 

Fuel injectors are normally closed. Can't help with the right hand drive
model.

 

I've tried Ewald's suggestion and it works - I wonder why??

I simply turn the ignition off and immediately on again while cruising
steadily. The car doesn't miss a beat and the light goes off in a few
seconds.

I'd love to know (a) why the light doesn't go off in the first place
(if engine is hot when restarting) and (b) why the above procedure
works.

I'll try to find the connector and see what message I get.

Barry

 

OK I've found the connector, shorted it and turned on the ignition
(without starting the engine).
I get seven slow flashes of the 4WS light, a pause, then seven slow and
one quick, then seven slow, seven slow one quick, etc. If this is code
70 and 71 it is of no relevance to why my 4WS light does not always go
out when I start the car hot.

As I said before, Ewald's suggestion of turning the ignition off and on
while driving gets rid of the light, but does not explain what's
happening. And I do not drive the car hard with three passengers on
board (have you ever tried to get three passengers in a
Prelude!!!!!!!!!)

Maybe I need to wait until the next time the light stays on, stop the
car, turn off, short the connector and see if I get a different
message.

Barry

 

Maybe I need to wait until the next time the light stays on, stop the

I would try that. I would also check any under body connectors for
corrosion, looseness, etc. Also check any connectors and grounds associated
with the control unit.

 

Or maybe there are some worn out rear suspension components that are making
the unit think you are drive aggressively with passengers?

Steve

 

Thanks. I'll report back when I have some results!
Barry