center/yellow TCS light on permanently; not the green one

Osiris_x11

Osiris_x11

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AGAIN! center/yellow TCS light on permanently; not the green one

I need some insights and help diagnosing a problem.

I have done a search and read the trouble-shooting FAQ.

I have a '91 NSX 5spd w/ the stock oem wheels (15"/16") and today the yellow "TCS" light came on (situated between the tach' and speedo'). The TCS switch won't toggle it off (the green "TCS" light and the other "TCS off" light wont come on. And re-starting the car doesn't turn the light off.

I got an independant repair shoppe guy to take a look at the error codes, and refer to his NSX service manual. He also use to be a master NSX tech' at the local AcuraDealership. I wish I had paid more attention to the codes he had mentioned. I recall 3-4 and 3-6 (perhaps- I am not 100% sure though, I will edit this post when I speak w/ him again to re-verify the codes). He suggested that it could be simple as wires/connection between the TCS module and ECU module. OR it could possibly be the modules themself. Nonetheless he will charge $75/hr (anticipates 2hrs to diagnose). And if there is a need for replacing the modules, estimate of $350ish.

If anyone can guide me through this if they have gone through this, I'd be appreciative. I really dont mind running w/o TCS, just I dont like to have any 'bugs' associated w/ this car (want to have all gremlins and problems taken care of when they surface)

Thanks in advance. :(

EDIT: Error code pulled was reiterated to be 3-1 . . . (thnx Ojas)

HELP NSX-GURU's...!?!
 
Last edited:
TCS Trouble Code;

(3-1) "PGM-FI ECU"

Possible Causes;

-PGM-FI ECU
-Wire Harness
-TCS Control Unit


There are a number of wires connecting the main ecu to the TCS ecu. basically the service manual states that for a 3-1 either ecu or the wires that connect them are the problem.

-Ray
 
Hmm, I had the same thing happen to me. TCS light would come on with my stock wheels/tires sizes. When I would kill/restart the car, it would go away and then come back on after 10-15 miles of driving. A few days later, when cruising at hwy speeds, the engine would bog/hesitate out of no where. Then a few days later it wouldnt start. Turned out to be the MAIN RELAY, part #RZ-1010 I believe. It was a cheap $50 fix. I hope its nothing more serious than that. :)
Best of luck, keep us posted....
Regards
- Z
 
The first thing I would do is if you are sure about the codes I would reset the TCS system by pulling fuse #23(for at least 3 seconds) in the main relay box, under the front hood, page 23-48 of the on line manual shows it's location.

Since you are getting a 3-1, and as Ray indicates, it is leaning towards a possible wiring/ECU issue, I think you need to clear it and see if the system is "dead" or intermittent.

Also since it does indicate a 3-1, this could very well be a "power" issue, and if you review the wiring, the main relay could definately cause this too, as nsxfya has seen through experience.

So keep us posted.

HTH,
LarryB
 
inquirey. . .

I'd like to add that right before the appearance of the "TCS" light, I had a friend lube/inspect my passenger-side door's window regulator and track (it was updated by previous owner, which I had not known). Some wires were disconnected then reconnected. Could that be of consequence...? (ie. as aforementioned by LarryB, possibly a "power issue"; also there isn't any power loss issues w/ the throttle)

I'll try to get on this, it's good to have some direction now. I hope it can be a DIY.

Thanks for the insights.
 
update: interesting development

hmmm... after a day full of towne&city driving, the TCS light disappeared late tonite. I have my fingers crossed that it stays that way. Again- thanks everyone. PeaceO'. . . :)
 
back again...!

nsxtasy said:
Are your tires the stock sizes too?
Click to expand...

Yes Ken, I have stock 15/16 tires (205/50/15, 225/50/16 respectively)...

Today I went to discount tires and got some Yoko' AVS ES100's for the rears (not going OEM till I decide on wheels I want *sigh*)

The center yellow TCS light is on again, minutes following the tire service. And for the rest of the day, the car was cranking up (starting) w/ effort (3-4 secs), not just on the 1st go...!?!

From the FAQ...
[LE] The most common problem with the TCS system is a bad ring sensor at one of the the wheels.
How does one address this? :confused:

"Clearing the computer by cycling the key"
What does this mean...? :confused:

Instead of running around, shall I just replace the main-relay as aforementioned by NSXf.y.a. and others?

Occasional ABS light pops up, and I hear some pump/mechanical sound upon idle or slow roll. And now this center yellowTCS light- both lights are rather inconsequential; but nonetheless they take away my driving pleasure just knowing something is awry. :(

I sincerely appreciate all the insights you all can provide.
 
OK, here's the situation. My shop installed a new clutch in my car on Saturday. When we were done, we ran through the gears to make sure everything was ok which is standard on every clutch procedure we do. While running through the gears, I forgot to turn off the TCS and the yellow TCS light came on (the one in the middle of the instrument panel). I've tried disconnecting the battery, pulled out the fuse for TCS, pulled the clock fuse to reset the ECU, even tried pulling fuse #23 as Larry B mentioned, but nothing. Still the same problem, constant yellow TCS light, not the green light that says TCS is off. As a matter of fact, when I hit the TCS ON/OFF button, nothing happens. Has anyone else experienced this? I can't find anything on this when doing a search. Did I break something? :confused:
 
Check which code it is generating. Also check the speed sensor connection at the trans. Does your speedo work? If things were fine before you pulled the trans, I suspect a connection issue. Was teh lgith on immediately upon startup, or did you need to move the car and then it came on?

What are the exact symptoms? Does it run fine to redline?

HTH,
LarryB
 
Larry Bastanza said:
Check which code it is generating. Also check the speed sensor connection at the trans. Does your speedo work? If things were fine before you pulled the trans, I suspect a connection issue. Was teh lgith on immediately upon startup, or did you need to move the car and then it came on?

What are the exact symptoms? Does it run fine to redline?

HTH,
LarryB
Click to expand...

I will check the error code after work today. My speedo and tach works fine. The yellow TCS light didn't come on until I ran 1st gear while the car was up on the lift. I know that triggered the TCS error code because the same thing happened when the car was on the inspection dyno. I've pulled the car to redline and everything runs okay. The yellow TCS light won't go away and my TCS button doesn't work any more.
 
Yes, I have also had this happen many times, when running the car on stands without the e-brake set. The wheels spin differently which set this off. I just do not understand why if you turn the car off it does not reset.

I would go over the wheel speed sensor wires too, since you probably moved those to move the lower control arms out of the way.

Kind of strange.

Keep us posted,
LarryB
 
Larry Bastanza said:
Yes, I have also had this happen many times, when running the car on stands without the e-brake set. The wheels spin differently which set this off. I just do not understand why if you turn the car off it does not reset.

I would go over the wheel speed sensor wires too, since you probably moved those to move the lower control arms out of the way.

Kind of strange.

Keep us posted,
LarryB
Click to expand...
Checked the wheel sensors and they are okay. I even checked all the connections once more and they are fine. We plugged a diagnostic computer and nothing. Also checked all fuses in the front, inside, and engine compartment, and everything checked out okay. My partner suggested that the TCS switch can be broken. Would this cause the middle TCS light to come on? When I turn the key to ACC before I start the car, the "TCS off" light does light up for a brief moment and then shuts off. Any more ideas? I'm going to test the TCS switch after work today. :confused:
 
Re: back again...!

Osiris_x11 said:

The center yellow TCS light is on again, minutes following the tire service. And for the rest of the day, the car was cranking up (starting) w/ effort (3-4 secs), not just on the 1st go...!?!
....
"Clearing the computer by cycling the key"
What does this mean...? :confused:

Instead of running around, shall I just replace the main-relay as aforementioned by NSXf.y.a. and others?
Click to expand...

The symptoms above make me think it's the main relay. You can take out the module and resolder all the joints, since that is a common failure, or replace it for about $50. If you do, I want the old one to play with. I'm having similar symptoms, and have mostly fixed my relay, but I'd like another one to play with rebuilding. :smile:
 

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