NEW 2009 Euro Luxury Auto Pinging

[nzitr]

Hi NZITR,

Do you know what exactly did Honda New Market did ie. did they simply re-flash the ECU or did they flash the ECU and replace the knock sensor as well?

I have read from various forums (OZHONDA and Acurazine) that simply flashing the ECU will not cure the problem. The cure has to be a ECU re-flash and replacement of knock sensor. This is the reason that I am holding off. A half cure might be worse than no cure

It apparently was a full fix including the knock sensor. The out and out pinging is gone but it is rough at 1500-1800 revs in D, like it is lugging the engine. To be honest I only started driving it in D this year so I don't know if it is a new issue or not. Honda tried to tell me it was the wear on my rear tyres.

[Irving]

How can some Euros which have the same engine, same Knock Sensor, same EMC and Software as all the others suffer from PCS, roughness, surging etc???? IT DOESn't MAKE SENSE!!!

All I can say is that in my Euro, the PCS problem comes and goes but it is there most of the time. So some other cars may be (mostly) fine.....

In any case this issue has NOT been completely resolved and HONDA should fix this problem.

Bear in mind that the Engine Management Computer is also responsible for Cruise Control and VSA in addition to it's engine management functions. Any malfunction in these areas may have adverse consequences to the occupants in the vehicle.

Honda needs to pay more attention to this issue before Class Action Law suites start piling up!

[Irving]

This problem with PCS or Pinging as some call it has been evident in my car since it was new. Honda released a fix which did not work so they released another fix which seems to have resolved the issue in some cars.

Now, my car is still faulty and Honda is still required by Law to fix it. However, they are shying away from this responsibility.

The remaining course of action is litigation and Class Action would be the appropriate avenue as there is little point in going on about this issue on this Forum as there is little that can be achieved here.

[newedition]

Hi All - Long story short...
Did not realise had ping problem until stereo turned off.
Reported during routine service with Honda after reading it could do damage
Advised parts unavailable although can do damage if not fixed
Advised will call me when they do get parts - never received a call.
4 months later was advised during routine service had fixed ping issue (excuse for taking so long to recover parts was that it was highly sought after, other service dept stocking them all, my response was WTF not good enough)
Was happy car had no ping issue but became extremely Pi$$ed minutes after discovering the car was SLOWER
It is not as noticeable if u have it on D and accelerate quick (i can feel the difference from driving it for over a year now)
Eg. Having it on semi automatic on 5th gear on fwy, drop it to 3rd to over take, car revs to 5000rpm hangs there for half a second then drops to 4800 rpm (although i am constantly pushing the peddle more) then climbs up to 6000 rpm like a SNAIL, wtf happened to the v-tec??!!!)
Drives like a piece of $hit now
Booked in to get it tested tomorrow at honda.

edit: reason for not dropping to 4th gear is coz that too climbs quite slow, i thought this was normal for semi auto, dropping down 2 gears is new to me after driving manual for years.

[Joystick]

It's been a while since I've posted here but I'm still having a pinging/PCS problem after the 'fix'

Going to raise the issue with Honda this month when I put the car in for a service.

Newedition - I have the very same problem with 3rd gear hitting 5k RPM then dropping to 4.7k RPM with the pedal flat. Very odd!

[Irving]

I have it on good authority that some MY10 owners are also reporting this issue.

Anyone thinking of trading up??????

[jimboturbo]

I have it on good authority that some MY10 owners are also reporting this issue.

Anyone thinking of trading up??????

I genuinely do feel sorry for you guys.. I had the fix applied last week (both ECU and Knock sensor) during my 20,000km service and it is running exceptionally smoothly with no pinging whatsoever. Although to be honest my car only ever noticably pinged before when I was running it on 95 octane, under light acceleration on a slight incline. When on 98 octane I never recall it pinging once. However for you guys it seems to be a constant issue, and if it was like that on mine, I think i'd be equally as angry.

[Irving]

I genuinely do feel sorry for you guys.. I had the fix applied last week (both ECU and Knock sensor) during my 20,000km service and it is running exceptionally smoothly with no pinging whatsoever. Although to be honest my car only ever noticably pinged before when I was running it on 95 octane, under light acceleration on a slight incline. When on 98 octane I never recall it pinging once. However for you guys it seems to be a constant issue, and if it was like that on mine, I think i'd be equally as angry.

"No two cars are alike". I have heard this from experts who reprogram ECUs....

It seems that with the Euro, the EMC is not able to retard the timing far enough (in some cars) in order to eliminate pinging when engine knock is detected. Increasing the fuel octane should minimise this problem. However, in some cars the SW fix is inadequate in this respect.
This problem, as I understand it could be related to pinging/PCS but may be different to the surging problem. However, still linked to SW problems.

Recently my EMC and CKP were reset and the car ran perfectly for the first 100kms.... Now the pinging/PCS is back.....

As I understand it, the SW is still the problem and needs to be resolved by Honda.

Allegedly, some MY10 customers are now telling their dealers that they can hear pinging.

Guys, I appreciate feedback on this issue. We are simply trying to get this problem resolved.

[limleong]

"
Allegedly, some MY10 customers are now telling their dealers that they can hear pinging.

Guys, I appreciate feedback on this issue. We are simply trying to get this problem resolved.

Irving,

The Technical Service Bulletin published by Acrura (in USA) specifically mentioned the MY10 VIN number range which has the PCS issue. Can't remember the URL but a google search should get you the Acura TSB. So the early batches of MY10 Euro appear to have the same issue. I don't think Honda AU/NZ publishes any VIN range as this is not a safety recall.

[Irving]

Thanks for pointing that out Limleong.

If the pinging/PCS issue has been rectified in later MY10 models, Honda are obviously well aware of the necessary fix (faulty component).
This been the case, it should be a matter of warranty to recall and fix the cars that are still plagued with this problem.

[newedition]

It's been a while since I've posted here but I'm still having a pinging/PCS problem after the 'fix'

Going to raise the issue with Honda this month when I put the car in for a service.

Newedition - I have the very same problem with 3rd gear hitting 5k RPM then dropping to 4.7k RPM with the pedal flat. Very odd!

I'd expect that when u put ur car in for a service at honda and pay $556 for it, that it should come back better than ever, instead our cars have come back with a new problem and i am 110% sure it was bcoz of the so called fix coz i kno my car and drive the same way EVERYDAY. Why f**king give me my car back when they havnt tested it, i work long hours so i dont have time to deal with this $hit during their opening times including saturdays where they work half a$$ed until 1pm or whatever.

[Irving]

Having it on semi automatic on 5th gear on fwy, drop it to 3rd to over take, car revs to 5000rpm hangs there for half a second then drops to 4800 rpm (although i am constantly pushing the peddle more) then climbs up to 6000 rpm like a SNAIL, wtf happened to the v-tec??!!!)
Drives like a piece of $hit now
Booked in to get it tested tomorrow at honda.

edit: reason for not dropping to 4th gear is coz that too climbs quite slow, i thought this was normal for semi auto, dropping down 2 gears is new to me after driving manual for years.

This could potentially be a serious safety issue. Especially, if this happens when you are overtaking on the wrong side of the road.

Please take extra care guys and make sure your spouse/family members are made aware of this issue if they also drive your car.

You need to inform Honda Australia so they can determine if this is a major safety issue.