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Reset 4WS

Reset 4WS

Many times I have been asked how to reset the yellow 4WS light on the dashboard of the 4th generation four wheel steer Prelude. Here is an outline of what to do to reset the system, and why sometimes it happens on a car when the system actually works.

 WHY DOES IT HAPPEN ?Sometimes, the electronically controlled system can receive a bad reading from one of the many sensors. This could be a one off, caused by bad road conditions (maybe a pothole) or actually that one of the sensors is beginning to fail. This causes the controller to record this error in the computer and switches the system off and into a failsafe mode. (No 4WS enabled, hence the warning light illuminates on the dashboard to indicate the system is off). It also could quite simply be that the car has been positioned so that some physical obstruction is preventing the wheels from turning, i.e. parked up against a pavement or kerb. Again, the system will switch into a fail safe mode to prevent any damage to the system. This is how my Prelude was when I bought it. My friendly Honda mechanic reset the system, and it has been fine ever since.

IS MY 4WS BROKEN ?
Depending on the problem, the 4WS indicator light may be cancelled by turning the ignition switch off, or it might require removing the CLOCK/RADIO (10A) fuse in the under hood fuse box. If the 4WS light comes on because of a temporary problem in the main steering angle sensor system, the CLOCK/RADIO fuse must be removed and replaced to reset the system.
To reset the system, you should find the 10A BACKUP fuse located in the under bonnet fuse box. This is usually marked CLOCK/BACKUP or RADIO BACKUP and is in the middle of a row of fuses at the top of the box. Here is the engine control module (ECM) reset procedure...

With the ignition switched OFF, remove the fuse for a minimum of 20-30secs, and then replace it. This clears any faults held in the computer, and thus resets the 4WS system for when you next start the car. It will also reset your trip computer and the stored radio stations/settings and the digital clock. It is possible to remove the fuse for a shorter period and still reset the 4WS, but retain the radio stations and trip computer. This is usually in the 5-15 secs range.
DOES IT WORK NOW?
Now you have hopefully reset it. Simply start the car in the usual way and watch for the 4WS light to illuminate, and then go out. It should go out after about 2 secs. Bingo!
FURTHER 4WS TROUBLESHOOTING - COMPONENT LOCATION