Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Diagnosis System
- DESCRIPTION
When troubleshooting a vehicle with a diagnosis system, the only difference from the usual troubleshooting procedure is connecting the Techstream to the vehicle and reading various data output from the vehicle's skid control ECU.
The skid control ECU records DTCs when it detects a malfunction in the ECU itself or in its circuits.
To check the DTCs, connect the Techstream to the DLC3 on the vehicle. The Techstream enables you to clear the DTCs, activate the various actuators, and check the Freeze Frame Data and Data List.
- Check the battery voltage.
Standard Voltage:
11 to 14 V
If the voltage is below 11 V, recharge the battery before proceeding to the next step.
- Check the DLC3 (See HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED SYSTEMS ).
- Check the battery voltage.
- DIAGNOSIS
- If the skid control ECU detects a malfunction, the ABS warning and brake warning lights will come on in order to warn the driver.
The table below indicates which lights will come on when there is a malfunction in a particular function.
WARNING LIGHT REFERENCE CHARTItem / Trouble Area ABS EBD BA Skid Control ECU ABS warning light O O - O Brake warning light - O - O O: Light ON
-: Light OFF
- The DTCs are simultaneously stored in the memory. The DTCs can be read by connecting SST between terminals TC and CG of the DLC3 and observing the blinking pattern of the ABS warning light or by connecting the Techstream.
- This system has a Test Mode (signal check) function (See TEST MODE PROCEDURE ). The DTCs can be read by connecting the Techstream and observing the blinking pattern of the ABS warning light.
- If the skid control ECU detects a malfunction, the ABS warning and brake warning lights will come on in order to warn the driver.
- WARNING LIGHT INITIAL CHECK
- Release the parking brake.NOTE: When releasing the parking brake, move the shift lever to P for safety (for automatic transaxle model) or set the chocks to hold the vehicle for safety (for manual transaxle model).
HINT:
When the parking brake is applied or the brake fluid level is low, the brake warning light comes on.
- When the ignition switch is turned to ON, check that the ABS warning and brake warning lights come on for approximately 3 seconds.
HINT:
If the warning light check result is not normal, proceed to troubleshooting for the ABS warning and brake warning light circuits.
If the indicator remains on or does not come on, proceed to troubleshooting for the light circuits listed below.
WARNING LIGHT TROUBLE AREA REFERENCE CHARTTrouble Area See Procedure ABS warning light circuit (Remains on) ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON ABS warning light circuit (Does not come on) ABS WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON Brake warning light circuit (Remains on) BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON Brake warning light circuit (Does not come on) BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON - Release the parking brake.
- SYMPTOM SIMULATION
HINT:
The most difficult case in troubleshooting is when no symptoms occur. In such cases, a thorough customer problem analysis must be carried out. Then the same or similar conditions and environment in which the problem occurred in the customer's vehicle should be reproduced. No matter how experienced or skilled a technician may be, if he/she proceeds to troubleshooting without confirming the problem symptoms, he/she will likely overlook something important and make a wrong guess at some points in the repair operation. This leads to a standstill in troubleshooting.
- Vibration method: When vibration seems to be the major cause.
HINT:
Perform the simulation method only during the primary check period (for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to ON).
- Slightly vibrate the part of the sensor considered to be the problem cause with your fingers and check whether the malfunction occurs.
- Slightly shake the connector vertically and horizontally.
HINT:
Shaking the relays too strongly may result in open relays.
- Slightly shake the wire harness vertically and horizontally. The connector joint and fulcrum of the vibration are the major areas to be checked thoroughly.
- Vibration method: When vibration seems to be the major cause.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.