2003 Honda Accord Could this be battery problem?

JD2001

MEMBER
2003 HONDA ACCORD
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
99,170 MILES

Hi,
From about a month I am facing some weird problem in my car.
1. When I turn on the ignition the fuel indicator fluctuates abruptly and comes to steady state once the engine gets turned on.
2. Sometimes A/C compressor does not start though I set the temp to the coolest. When my car is in this state cruise control also does not work. It shows the cruise main light but pressing the decl does not take it to a cruise control mode. However if turn off the engine and remove key wait for few sec and start the engine again both A/C and cruise control starts working.
3. There is a different problem also – while the car is idling with engine turned on I feel very mild periodic shaking. If I count 1-2-3-4 in a loop, it shakes when I count 4 every time. I have replaced all 6 spark plugs recently.
What could be the problem with my car?

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi jd2001,

This is not a battery problem but rather a power interruption or a fault with a control unit.

Did you try retrieving for trouble codes?

There was a TSB on similar symptoms and it is due to a communication problem between the F-CAN (Controller Area Network) and Power Contro Module ( PCM).

Procedures requires the updating of the PCM with Honda Interface Module ( HIM). This would have to be done by the dealer.

In the meantime get the trouble codes retrieved and if it is U0155, that would confirm the above diagnosis.

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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 AT 11:49 AM

JD2001

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks a lot for your reply. I'll get it checked by the dealership. A few relevant questions:
1. The engine light in my car is *not* on. Will it still show any trouble code?
2. What is updating of PCM with HIM? Is this frimware upgrade or actual device needs replacement?
3. May I get an idea about how much it could cost to repair assuming the possibility of the specific fault code you mentioned?
4. Just in case, if I don't fix it right away, can it cause any severe trouble in future or cause more damage to the system?
Thanks again for your prompt and kind reply.

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Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 AT 1:51 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Some trouble codes do not trigeger the CEL so it could not be indicating but have a trouble code.

Updating Of PCM is using HIM to update the software of the PCM and does not require any replacement of parts if that solves the problem.

It is best to ask the dealer for a quote on the price as the differe region to region.

It is difficult to say what could happen as the PCM gathers a lot of information from various sensors and if there is an error of communication, it can cause erratic running, higher fuel consumption and performance elated problems.
We do not know how much it is going to affect above mentioned problems.

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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 6:13 AM