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Just had the engine cut out while driving to work. Engine management light and VSA light lit

Don101

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Location
NW England
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7th Gen 2.2 EX
Hi there,

I was driving to work on a 32 mile journey and the engine cut out roughly half way through. Just before the engine cut out I got a warning light on the dash. The warning consisted of an engine and the VSA light. The car refused to go any faster and just got slower and slower, until it stopped on the hard shoulder. Then I left it off for a minute and turned the engine back on. It started as normal and seems to be running fine now. However I cannot guarantee 100% this will not happen again. I'm currently at work, so need some advise on whether I should risk driving it home in the morning or should I get Green Flag to pick it up? Also if anyone can advise what the problem could be?

BTW the VSA module was replaced approx 18 months ago

Regards

Syed
 
Hard to say! My first thought was Accelerator Pedal Position sensor, but I can't see how that would bring up so many warning lights.

You need to get the error codes that are stored on the ECU, using an OBD2 scanner.
 
It happened to me once before, the engine would be running no problem, but the accelerator wouldnt work at all, turned it off, then restarted it and it was fine. Did a fault code check and as jon said, accelerator Pedal position sensor showed up, cleared the codes, done a master reboot (disconnected battery) and I have never had a problem since. But in your case it seemed to have gone into limp mode. Find the code error.
 
DJSR said:
It happened to me once before, the engine would be running no problem, but the accelerator wouldnt work at all, turned it off, then restarted it and it was fine. Did a fault code check and as jon said, accelerator Pedal position sensor showed up, cleared the codes, done a master reboot (disconnected battery) and I have never had a problem since. But in your case it seemed to have gone into limp mode. Find the code error.
Thanks for all the info guys much appreciated. Do you think it's safe to drive it home in the morning, or should I just get Greenflag to pick it up and drop it off at my home address? I can then take it to the mechanics first thing tomorrow morning.
 
When my TPS went I got the VSA and engine lights plus limp mode. If it's that it'll be okay to drive home but sooner or later it'll happen again until you get round to replacing the sensor.
 
Using the cruise control to set the speed will bypass the APP/TP sensor... useful if not involved in urban or stop/start driving.

***uming the problem was the APP/TP sensor it is safe to drive it.
 
Will await outcome of scan could also possibly be electrical but will await error code

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
 
Just to update you guys, The Greenflag Mechanic turned up this morning, He checked the codes and told me it was showing the sensor on the accelerator pedal as being faulty. So he cleared the codes and told me it should be fine to drive, however he also told me it will need to be looked at by a mechanic. So I drove back home and dropped it off at the mechanics. Unfortunately my mechanic can't do much with it at the moment as the fault code has been cleared. Honda tell me the same and they also quoted me £280.00 Therefore I will just have to continue driving it until the code shows on the dash. Will probably take it to my own mechanic, will most likely be cheaper as well.
Will also definitely use the cruise control to set the speed when driving on the motorway, great tip I hadn't thought of that.

Kind Regards

Syed
 
Cliffordski said:
With the second hand one you could get charged customs duties as well.
I don't think they do on 2nd hand, but they might on the new one.

That part number 37971RBB003 on the new one throws up quite a few in ebay, it's the right part number, strange it throws up loads from the US and none in the UK. It's the same part on the 2.2 diesel and 2.4 petrol.
 
Hi.

Second hand sensor can be just as problematical as the original, it may never fail, but may fail tomorrow. At least with a new original it should have a years warranty!
 
My throttle position went a couple of months ago - rescued by RAC. I tried the contact cleaner which worked for a few weeks, then same problem reocccured. Got a new one from Honda Holdcroft using forum discount. A bit cheaper than the price you have been quoted. Since fitting, car has been driving beautifully.
 
Great stuff thanks for update and outcome

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
 
Just to provide you guys with the latest update. After a few days driving my car without any problems, the engine management light has started to come on again. Before this it was just the VSA and ABS lights. With those lit it ran fine without any problems. However with the engine management light coming on it has gone into limp mode more than a few times in the last few days.
I have spoken to Honda and they don't really give me much hope they can fix this quickly and efficiently. As just the other day I spoke to them about the sensor and they told me they could order it. However even if they don't fit it, I would still need to pay for it. To me this seemed a bizarre explanation. However even more bizarre, I was told if there were further underlying issues, then I would still have to pay for this work, even if it wasn't necessary whilst they investigated the other problems. So basically, speaking to Honda didn't really provide me with any real hope that this would be a quick fix. I only felt as though he was after my money and everything else was secondary. This was the first impression I got, as the first thing he told me was that they don't usually replace these sensors. Which I thought was strange and I fully expected him to offer me a deal on a new car and to get rid of my old one.
Anyway I have spoken to my own mechanic and he knows someone who actually knows what he's doing and have booked my car in for next Monday. Fingers crossed it holds out till then.
 
Will need to check on diagnosis machine hopefully won't be dreaded timing chain code let us know dtc code so we can advise further

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
 
This has nothing to do with timing chains!

It was previously found that the APP sensor was at fault, but if the MIL has been on then the resulting stored code could again be read to confirm that this is still the continuing problem. So this should be done first.

An attempt to clean the APP sensor should have been tried.

Personally I do not think that a main dealer is the best option for cost-effective repairs to older vehicles. A small local garage would be far more inclined to fit secondhand parts (or attempt to clean the existing sensor). Whether replacing or cleaning, this is a simple task that does not require specialist knowledge. Actually, it's a fairly simple DIY that I would encourage you to try!
 
I think the Greenflag mechanic checked the codes with his diagnostic machine and told me it was showing the accelerator pedal sensor as being faulty. Fingers crossed it will be the same issue and should be a quick fix. In the meantime I'm using cruise control when I drive on the motorway. It got me to work and back again the last few days without any problems.
 
Just had the car back from the mechanic, after the the diagnostics have been completed. My mechanic tells me the rear ABS sensor is faulty and will need replacing. I've booked my car in for this Friday.
 
Just had the rear ABS sensor replaced by my mechanic today. Drove my car over 30 miles without using cruise control and so far so good. Will test it over the next week or so, fingers crossed it wont go into limp mode.
 
I hope it hasn't been misdiagnosed, if it has I won't be happy. I will just have to wait and see.
 
A failing abs sensor will never make your engine cut off.

A failing APPS will.
 
Don101 said:
I hope it hasn't been misdiagnosed, if it has I won't be happy. I will just have to wait and see.
How much were you charged for the sensor replacement?
 
£300 Plus VAT and I've also driven over 80 miles in the last 24 hours. Everything seems fine and the car is definitely driving better than before the ABS sensor was replaced. Fingers crossed it will stay this way, will just have to keep an eye on it over the next week or so. I'm sure if there's a problem, it will rear it's ugly head sooner rather than later.
 
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