[FredWalden22]

I am experiencing a number of electrical issues with my car but it drives fine. Issues include:
-power locks only work when car is on
-radio and clock do not work at all but will very occasionally work for a brief period
-driver side window will only sometimes work. If I open the door and then shut it, the window will usually work for about 5 seconds.
-parking brake, TPMS, VSA, and ABS lights are always illuminated

Any ideas on what the cause might be?

 

[WiiMaster]

Any blown fuses?

 

[FredWalden22]

I have not found any blown fuses. I specifically checked radio related fuses but pulled a bunch of others as well. The fact that the radio/powerlocks work occasionally makes me think a blown fuse must not be the problem. But I know nothing

 

[WiiMaster]

If you have a multimeter you can check fuses easily without pulling them. Just set it to Ohms and touch each prong to a pin on the fuse. You should see some amount of resistance, if you see OL/1 then the fuse is blown.

 

[FredWalden22]

Thanks. Good to know. Do you think it could be a fuse if some of these things work sometimes? It seems like if it was a fuse then the stuff would never work.

 

[Mr.Gordon]

Not to panic. Car is just getting older. The TPMS system is a stand alone system not affected by other car problems.
So go to a reputable tire store and have them check the system. You probably have a bad sensor or 2.
Next problem is probably a bad solonoid in the ABS unit. Unfortunately there a sealed unit and parts are not replacable. A unit from a salvage yard is your best bet on that. Now places like Advance auto parts and auto zone can scan the ABS module for codes. Just had same problem on mine.
On the radio if it works "sometimes" you are correctly thinking the fuse is good. Fault is in the head unit that can be repaired but is very costly. Do you have navigational option? If no, you could have or install a aftermarket sound system. That usually alot less thean the Honda radio head unit. Good luck. Let us know what you find and how you repaired the car.
Again good luck.

 

[97trophy]

VSA, and ABS lights are always illuminated

Yeah, could well be an ABS speed sensor gone bad. There are 4, one in each wheel hub. Get the codes read and replace. OEM part not needed, aftermarkets seem fine.

 

[FredWalden22]

Thanks for the info. What about the power locks only working when the car is on and driver side window only working occasionally (immediately after the door is open and shut)?

 

[mtts60]

Sounds to me like a bad ground issue. Check the black wire from the battery to the body, that the battery's posts are clean and the clamps are too. This requires removing the cable from the battery and using a battery post cleaning tool. Also check the other end of that same cable, by removing it and checking for rust.

Also there are other ground wires that run from the engine to the body; check them. I don't know where they are.

 

[FredWalden22]

The grounding wire from the battery looked fine. I cleaned and reconnected anyway. Does anyone have any idea where the other grounding wires are?

 

[Hudouc]

Honda Accord 2008-2010 Service Manual (Downloadable PDF)

Here is the service manual if anyone wants it. Downloadable PDF

www.driveaccord.net

Download the service manual here.

 

[97trophy]

Has the battery been tested?

 

[a1smith]

I agree with @mtts60 that it is likely a ground issue. @Hudouc has given you the link you need for service manual. Look in the Body Electrical section - there is a ground distribution table starting on page 22-84 that tells you affected circuits.

For example, G501 is for windows and VSA switch so that sounds like one of the first you should check. Connector and Harness list starting on 22-16 tells you what connector(s)/harness(es) G501 is in and finally its location on page 22-34 (body ground under left side of dash in the dashboard harness).

Just do the same for the other issues and you'll probably find all of the bad grounds. You'll probably have to look in the Audio, Navigation & Telematics section for radio information.

 

[Bruce Hawkins]

First read out the codes with an OBD-2 code reader.
When the ABS module goes bad, the codes you mentioned are one of the symptoms.
Some of what you mentioned, does sound like some of the under dash grounds might have gone bad. One cause is someone adding an aftermarket stereo, or loss of the ground to the engine or the battery's grounds.