DTC P050A (K20C2, USA/Canada models) (2016 2017 2018)

DTC P050A:  Cold Start Idle Air Control System Performance Problem

General Description 

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

The quick warm-up system supplies additional air and retards the ignition timing when the engine is cold to activate the catalytic converter as quickly as possible. When the actual amount of air is less than the target amount, the powertrain control module (PCM) detects a malfunction and stores a DTC.

Monitor Execution, Sequence, Duration, DTC Type 

Execution	Once per driving cycle
Sequence	None
Duration	10 seconds or more
DTC Type	Two drive cycles, MIL on

Enable Conditions 

Condition	Minimum	Maximum
Duration of quick warm-up system operation after engine start-up	-	20 seconds
Engine coolant temperature [ECT SENSOR 1]	32 deg.F (0 deg.C)	140 deg.F (60 deg.C)
Throttle position	Fully closed
Other	Vehicle stopped

[ ]: HDS Parameter

Malfunction Threshold 

The total airflow is decreased by a factor of 0.552 for at least 10 seconds.

Possible Cause 

NOTE:  The causes shown may not be a complete list of all potential problems, and it is possible that there may be other causes.

• Intake air duct breakage
• Intake air duct misinstalled
• Air cleaner breakage
• Air cleaner damage
• Air cleaner clogged
• Mass airflow (MAF) sensor failure
• Intake air system clogged
• Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor failure
• Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor 1 failure
• Ignition system failure

Confirmation Procedure 

Operating Condition 

• Allow the engine to cool to an ambient engine coolant temperature [ECT SENSOR 1] of 140 deg.F (60 deg.C) or less.
• Start the engine, and let it idle for at least 10 seconds.

With the HDS 

None.

Diagnosis Details 

Conditions for setting the DTC 

When a malfunction is detected during the first drive cycle with the engine coolant temperature and intake air temperature at engine start-up within the specified temperature range, a Pending DTC is stored in the PCM memory. If the malfunction returns in the next (second) drive cycle with the engine coolant temperature and intake air temperature at engine start-up within the specified temperature range, the MIL comes on and a Confirmed DTC and the freeze data are stored.

Conditions for clearing the DTC 

The MIL is cleared if the malfunction does not return in three consecutive trips in which the diagnostic runs. The MIL, the Pending DTC, the Confirmed DTC, and the freeze data can be cleared with the scan tool Clear command or by disconnecting the 12 volt battery.