Toronto, Ontario — August 15, 2016 — Honda Canada has released a position statement that, in general, confirms what we’ve seen recently from major OEMs in the US: all vehicles involved in a collision must have diagnostic scans, inspections, and/or calibrations done to avoid improper repair.
The position statement defines a collision as “damage that exceeds minor outer panel cosmetic distortion.”
Honda Canada’s position statement outlines the minimum scans that must be completed for repairs to its vehicles.
– A preliminary diagnostic scan during the repair estimation phase to determine what
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be present, so proper repairs may be included.
See Background paragraph for more information.
– A post-repair diagnostic scan to confirm that no DTCs remain.
– Any repair that requires disconnection of electrical components in order to perform the repair will require a post-repair diagnostic scan to confirm if the component is reconnected properly and functioning.
– Damage that requires body parts replacement will always require a post-repair diagnostic scan.
– Some safety and driver assistive systems will require inspections, calibration, and/or aiming after collision or other body repairs. See page 2 for additional information.
According to the statement, Honda and Acura vehicles include numerous electronic control systems, including those that operate safety and driver assist systems. Most of these systems include on-board self diagnostics that monitor the state of health and/or rationality of input and output circuits.
When monitored circuit values fall outside predetermined thresholds, DTCs may be set in one or more electronic control units (ECUs).
The mechanical forces encountered in a collision can damage electrical circuits and components in ways that are not easily diagnosed with visual inspection methods.
Honda Canada notes that the proliferation of electronic control systems has increased the number of potential DTCs beyond the point where a dashboard indicator can be installed and/or illuminated for every DTC. Dashboard indicators are intended for driver notification, not vehicle diagnostics.
Therefore, the presence or absence of dashboard indicators or warning lights is not an acceptable method to determine if post-collision diagnostic scans are necessary.
Many DTCs do not illuminate any dashboard indicators, but an electronic control system
may still operate improperly or be completely inoperative. Because of the complexities of serial data networking, dashboard indicators that do illuminate may appear unrelated to the actual vehicle problem.
Some self-diagnostics require multiple failures, or other criteria such as a number of drive cycles, to be met before illuminating any indicators.
Low battery voltage and/or repair procedures may inadvertently set multiple DTCs. Clear the DTCs and determine which ones reset after battery voltage is stabilized.
Honda Canada recommends the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) scan tool to accurately determine the post-collision status of all Honda and Acura vehicle electronic control systems. However, it should be noted that not all of the electronic control systems can be scanned using the HDS. For example, Honda LaneWatch and earlier model air conditioning and climate control systems have self-contained diagnostics that are not accessible using the HDS. Refer to the appropriate electronic service manual available on the Honda Independent Repair/ServiceExpress website at techinfo.honda.com for recommended diagnostic procedures for these systems.
Safety and driver assistive systems have proliferated in recent years. The position statement from Honda Canada outlines some of these systems that will repair inspection after a collision or other body repairs. The systems may also require recalibration or aiming. Note that the following list is not exhaustive. Other systems not included below may also require inspection.
After collision repairs are complete and the 12-volt battery is reconnected, some electrical systems may not operate properly. These may include, but are not limited to:
– Navigation systems
– Engine idle speed learn
– Power window, power tailgate, moonroof, power sliding door position and/or pinch
detection
– Keyless access and immobilizer/security systems
Since the reset procedures vary by vehicle and system, Honda Canada advises entering the vehicle information into ServiceExpress and searching the keyword “Reset.” This search will retrieve a list of reset procedures required after parts replacement and/or a battery disconnect. Some reset procedures can be done without special tools. Others may require scan tool software.
The front passenger’s seat weight sensor controls the passenger’s front airbag operation and the “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” indicator based on the occupant’s weight. Like any scale, weight sensors are a precision device and must be inspected to ensure they are properly calibrated.
The electronic service manual may refer to these sensors as the seat weight sensor (SWS) system or occupant detection system (ODS) depending on model and year.
This inspection requires a scan tool to fully check the seat weight sensor’s operation. In addition, the front passenger seat must be emptied to confirm the sensors can detect this condition and the seat weight checked with a known calibration weight amount if necessary.
This check must be done after any collision, regardless of damage even if no airbags deployed. The check confirms sensor operation and that no binding or damage exists in the relationship between the seat frame, weight sensors, and floor pan.
Weight sensor calibration is also required when front passenger seat components have been removed or replaced. Refer to the electronic service manual for procedures.
Some models use one or more camera and/or radar based driver support systems that require software-based aiming and/or calibration to ensure proper operation after certain components have been removed and/or replaced. These include but are not necessarily limited to Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Blind Spot Information (BSI) System, LaneWatch System (Honda Only) and Multi-View Camera System (MVCS – Acura Only).
Rearview (backup) cameras do not require any aiming procedures after removal or replacement unless the vehicle is also equipped with the Multi-View Camera System (MVCS).
These procedures may require special tools and/or the HDS scan tool to complete. Refer to the electronic service manual for specific information.
The list provides damage areas where driver assistive system components may be located in close proximity. Collision damage in these areas should be given particular attention because certain repairs and/or parts replacement may require aiming procedures to be done.
– Front Bumper and Grille Area: Millimeter Wave Radar Unit, Front Camera (w/Multi-View Camera System)
– Windshield Area: Multipurpose Camera Unit
– Front Passenger’s Door/Mirror Area: LaneWatch Camera (Honda Only), Right Side Camera (w/Multi-View Camera System)
– Driver’s Front Door/Mirror Area: Left Side Camera (w/Multi-View Camera System) –
– Rear Bumper Area: Blind Spot Information System Radar Units. Rear Camera (w/Multi-View Camera System)
HDS scan tool software, as well as other service information, is available to independent repair facilities and others for use on laptop or desktop computer hardware. These may be purchased in three time intervals: 1 day, 30 days, and 365 days. The HDS software requires the use of a Bosch MVCI or Denso DST-i vehicle communications interface (VCI) device between the vehicle and your computer, which must be purchased separately.
HDS software and a suitable vehicle interface device is available for purchase through techinfo.honda.com.
