1998 Honda CRV Security System

DMCQUARRIE

MEMBER
1998 HONDA CRV
4 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
96,000 MILES

My 1998 Honda CRV has a factory installed security system. It works sometimes but not others. I gave up and started just using the key after several times the lock worked but the unlock would not work. This often happened in the rain when I would have to dance around the car pushing the unlock button multiple times to open the doors. It has been to several dealers. Sometimes it works for the dealer and they tell me there is no problem. Other times it does not work and they tell me I need to replace the entire system for $700. I got a clue when I was in Phoenix for 4 months and in the dry air it worked pretty consistently. When it got back to the Texas humidity it rarely worked. It seems that the humidity is causing some sort of problem. The dealer tells me this is not possible and I should just replaced the unit. I know I can install a Viper unit for a lot less than the dealer's $700. Given these symptoms, can you suggest anything I might do to isolate and fix the honda system problem?

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

The keyless/power door lock control unit is located inside the drivers door and there is a possibility it is subjected to the weather due to improper sealing.

Remove the door panel and check the control unit for water entry. Sometimes printed circuit boards tends to have soldering defects and cracks in the solders can cause intermittent failure. Check the circuit board and any joints that looks suspicious, resolder them and retest.

You mentioned using the key and unlock did not work. Do you mean only the driver door opens wihout unlocking the other doors?

Does using the unlocking button inside vehicle operates the system?

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Sunday, November 28th, 2010 AT 3:36 AM

DMCQUARRIE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

THANK YOU! I will check inside the driver door tomorrow.

I'm sorry if I misled you. Using the key to lock and unlock the doors does work, Unlocking the driver door with the key unlocks the driver door only (as I believe it should)and locking the driver door with the key locks all the doors, also as I expected.

It's just the remote and the security system that only works intermittently, especially when it is raining or humid.

I have reported this problem to multiple dealers (Dallas, Tulsa and Phoenix)and not one of them has looked at anything other than the remote (which they replaced multiple times) and also put in many new batteries, all to no avail.

I will admit I'm not too comfortable taking apart the car door but I will give it a try tomorrow and if not successful will have my son take a look when he is here on Wednesday. (I suspected I was not being taken seriously by the dealers' service reps because I am female and 62 years old, even though I have been a systems engineer for 40 years.

Again, thank you very much. I will get back if I don't find anything interesting in the driver door:-)

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Sunday, November 28th, 2010 AT 4:58 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

You're welcome.

When intermittent problem occurs, dealers would seldom give it a second thought unless the problem occurred before them and they were not able to get it to work. They would also tend to get you to replace the system hoping to save time and eliminate return jobs.

Here are procedures for removing the door panel and control unit test. The test might prove everything is good since the problem is intermittent so it is best to pry the circuit board out of the housing to inspect.

CONTROL UNIT
Removal & Installation
Remove driver-side door trim panel.
Remove inner handle and armrest screws.
Remove speakers.
Remove plastic cover.
Remove door panel by lifting it up.
Disconnect control unit harness connector and mounting screws.
Remove control unit.
To install, reverse removal procedure.

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