• HEADINGS
  • Component Location Index
  • Circuit Diagram
  • Ignition Timing Inspection
  • Ignition Coil Removal/Installation
  • Ignition Coil Relay Circuit Troubleshooting
  • Spark Plug Inspection
• FIGURES
  • Fig. 1: Identifying Ignition System Component Location
  • Fig. 2: Ignition System - Circuit Diagram
  • Fig. 3: Connecting Timing Light To Service Loop
  • Fig. 4: Checking Ignition Timing
  • Fig. 5: Identifying Ignition Coil Cover, Connectors And Ignition Coils W/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 6: Measuring Voltage Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 1 And Body Ground
  • Fig. 7: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 2 And Ignition Coil 3P Connector Terminal No. 3
  • Fig. 8: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil 3P Connector Terminal No. 2 And Body Ground
  • Fig. 9: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 3 And Body Ground
  • Fig. 10: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 3 And ECM/PCM Connector Terminal E7
  • Fig. 11: Checking Spark Plug
  • Fig. 12: Identifying Electrode Gap
  • Fig. 13: Identifying Spark Plug Center Electrode
• TABLES

2004-08 ENGINE

Ignition System - TSX

Component Location Index

Fig. 1: Identifying Ignition System Component Location
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Circuit Diagram

Fig. 2: Ignition System - Circuit Diagram
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Ignition Timing Inspection

1. Connect the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) to the data link connector (DLC) (see HOW TO USE THE HDS (HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM) ).
2. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
3. '07-08 models: Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM). If it doesn't communicate, troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see '07-08 MODELS ).
4. Check for DTCs (see GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ). If a DTC is present, diagnose and repair the cause before continuing with this test.
5. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm with no load (in the N or P position (A/T) or the N position (M/T)) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.
6. Check the idle speed (see IDLE SPEED INSPECTION ).
7. Jump the SCS line with the HDS.
8. Free the service loop from the wire harness, then connect the timing light to the service loop.

   Fig. 3: Connecting Timing Light To Service Loop
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

9. Aim the light toward the pointer (A) on the cam chain case. Check the ignition timing under a no load condition (headlights, blower fan, rear window defogger, and air conditioner are turned off).

   Ignition Timing: M/T: 8° ± 2° BTDC (RED mark (B)) at idle in the N position

   A/T: 8° ± 2° BTDC (RED mark (B)) at idle in the N or P position

   Fig. 4: Checking Ignition Timing
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

10. If the ignition timing differs from the specification, check the cam timing. If the cam timing is OK, update the ECM/PCM if it does not have the latest software (see UPDATING THE ECM/PCM ), or substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ), then recheck. If the system works properly, and the ECM/PCM was substituted, replace the original ECM/PCM, '04-05 models (see '04-05 MODELS ), '06-08 models (see '07-08 MODELS ).
11. Disconnect the HDS and the timing light.
12. Secure the service loop to the wire harness with wire ties.

Ignition Coil Removal/Installation

1. Remove the ignition coil cover (A), disconnect the ignition coil connectors (B), then remove the ignition coils (C).

   Fig. 5: Identifying Ignition Coil Cover, Connectors And Ignition Coils W/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2. Install the ignition coils in the reverse order of removal.

Ignition Coil Relay Circuit Troubleshooting

1. Check the No. 2 (15 A) fuse in the under-dash fuse/ relay box.

   Is the fuse OK?

   YES - Reinstall the fuse, then go to step 2.

   NO - Replace the fuse. If the fuse continues to blow, locate and repair the short in the circuit between the under-dash fuse/reley box and the ignition coils.

2. Remove the ignition coil relay from the under-dash fuse/relay box, and test it (see POWER RELAY TEST ).

   Is the relay OK?

   YES - Go to step 3.

   NO - Replace the ignition coil relay.

3. Measure the voltage between ignition coil relay 4P socket terminal No. 1 and body ground, then terminal No. 4 and the body ground.

   Fig. 6: Measuring Voltage Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 1 And Body Ground
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

   Is there battery voltage?

   YES - Go to step 4.

   NO - Repair open in the wire between under-hood fuse/relay box and ignition coil relay.

4. Check for continuity between ignition coil relay 4P socket terminal No. 2 and the each ignition coil 3P connector terminal No. 3.

   Fig. 7: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 2 And Ignition Coil 3P Connector Terminal No. 3
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

   Is there continuity?

   YES - Go to step 5.

   NO - Repair open in the wire between ignition coil relay 4P socket terminal No. 2 and each ignition coil 3P connector terminal No. 3.

5. Check for continuity between each ignition coil 3P connector terminal No. 2 and the body ground.

   Fig. 8: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil 3P Connector Terminal No. 2 And Body Ground
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

   Is there continuity?

   YES - Go to step 6.

   NO - Repair open in the wire between ignition coil 3P connector terminal No. 2 and the body ground.

6. Connect the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) to the data link connector (DLC) (see HOW TO USE THE HDS (HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM) ).
7. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
8. '07-08 models: Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM). If it doesn't communicate, troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see '07-08 MODELS ).
9. Jump the SCS line with the HDS, then turn the ignition switch OFF.

   NOTE:

   This step must be done to protect the ECM/PCM from damage.

10. Disconnect ECM/PCM connector E (31P).
11. Check for continuity between ignition coil relay 4P socket terminal No. 3 and the body ground.

    Fig. 9: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 3 And Body Ground
    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity?

    YES - Repair short in the wire between ignition coil relay 4P socket terminal No. 3 and the ECM/PCM (E7).

    NO - Go to step 12.

12. Check for continuity between ignition coil relay 4P socket terminal No. 3 and the ECM/PCM connector terminal E7.

    Fig. 10: Checking Continuity Between Ignition Coil Relay 4P Socket Terminal No. 3 And ECM/PCM Connector Terminal E7
    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Is there continuity?

    YES - The system is OK at this time. Check for loose or poor connections at the ignition coil relay and the ECM/PCM (E7).

    NO - Repair open in the wire between ignition coil relay 4P socket terminal No. 3 and the ECM/PCM (E7).

Spark Plug Inspection

1. Remove the spark plugs, and inspect the electrodes and the ceramic insulator.
   • Burned or worn electrodes may be caused by these conditions:
     • Advanced ignition timing
     • Loose spark plug
     • Plug heat range too hot
     • Insufficient cooling
   • Fouled plugs may be caused by these conditions:
     • Retarded ignition timing
     • Oil in combustion chamber
     • Incorrect spark plug gap
     • Plug heat range too cold
     • Excessive idling/low speed running
     • Clogged air cleaner element
     • Deteriorated ignition coils

       Fig. 11: Checking Spark Plug
       Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2. If the spark plug electrode is dirty or contaminated, clean the electrode with a plug cleaner.

   NOTE:

   Do not use a wire brush or scrape the iridium electrode since this will damage the electrode. When using a sand blaster spark plug cleaner, do not clean for more then 20 seconds to avoid damaging the electrode.

3. Do not adjust the gap (A) of iridium tip plugs, replace the spark plug if the gap is out of specification.

   Electrode Gap:

   Standard (New): 1.0-1.1 mm (0.039-0.043 in.)

   Fig. 12: Identifying Electrode Gap
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Replace the plug at the specified interval, if the center electrode is rounded (A). Use only the spark plugs listed.

   Spark Plugs:

   IZFR6K11 (NGK)

   SKJ20DR-M11 (DENSO)

   Fig. 13: Identifying Spark Plug Center Electrode
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to the plug threads, and screw the plugs into the cylinder head, finger-tight. Torque them to 18 N.m (1.8 kgf.m, 13 lbf.ft).