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2009 Honda Accord Check Engine Light, VSA, and (!)

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Old Jan 24, 2024 | 02:23 PM
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MaxMcgrath's Avatar
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Default 2009 Honda Accord Check Engine Light, VSA, and (!)

Hello all, thanks for reading this and any advice is helpful... I don't know much about cars. At all.

So I have a 2009 Honda accord I4 LX 129,000 miles with a CEL flashing, VSA and (!) lights on. Just a quick backstory, I was on vacation last year with the car when the starter went. Took it to a local mechanic in the city I was in and got an after market starter put in. Ever since that after market starter was put in I have had issues with the car. I noticed the starter took extra longer clicks every time I started the car, but it would eventually turn over and seemed to be working fine. About a week after that I was back home and I had 50 amp multi fuse #3 blow (38232-TA0-A01) had it towed to Honda to see what the issue was. They never found out why the fuse blew, just tossed in another one and sent me on my way (also replaced the VTC Actuator). About 4 days after that, fuse blew AGAIN. Towed it back in to Honda, they told me again they didn't know what was wrong, replaced the fuse, sent me on my way. I ended up buying a spare fuse incase it happened again so I could at least put it in and get to where I needed to go.

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago, car has still been picking and choosing how many clicks it takes to turn over. I went to start it and it was clicking for about 7-10 seconds and never turned over. Shut off the car, tried again. It started up, but that's when the CEL, VSA, and (!) lights came on.

The codes it's spitting out at me are P0339, P0302, P0303, and P0300.

I took it to a mechanic and they were not sure what the issue was. Said the engine looked fine. Everything is misfiring and the timing is all off so they wanted to change the timing chain, but they were slammed and recommended taking it to Honda directly (surprisingly)

It feels like it's in limp mode, it won't go above 25 mph. Had to drive it super slowly to the mechanic with hazards on. Feels sluggish and barely drives. Now I have to either tow it to or figure out where to take it next.

Does anyone have any advice? or has this happened to anyone before?

Thanks for any help in advance.
 
Old Sep 6, 2024 | 12:25 PM
  #2  
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I've been dealing with the same nightmare for 1.5 YEARS now. Replaced starter with OEM. Replaced ckp sensor with HONDA part. Replaced battery. Replaced Cam shaft sensor. Had the TSB updated on software and the 0339 problem STILL exisits. Today it's back at the Honda Dealership 45 miles away..another tow bill!! They can't figure it out !! I'm sick of it!!
 
Old Sep 10, 2024 | 01:43 AM
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"I noticed the starter took extra longer clicks every time I started the car, but it would eventually turn over and seemed to be working fine." Did you mean your Accord just clicks and the starter doesn't engage or it cranks but doesn't start the car.
 
Old Sep 10, 2024 | 08:42 AM
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The starter I had installed 2 years ago is a Mitsuba OEM starter. It worked fine for almost a year but then sometimes would take too long to crank before it started up. It's when it does this ..that the P0339 code comes up and goes into limp home mode. I believe this is the 4th time i've had it towed to the dealership for this issue and it's there now. They are telling me now that it looks like I have an aftermarket starter on it. I told them..NO, it's a Mitsuba OEM starter. They want 950.00 to put one of their starters in...which probably won't fix the problem either...I'm just in tears over this. It's 16 years old and drives like a dream except for this problem.And..no independent shop within 80 miles of me has the software to clear that code so I can drive it home...except the honda dealership....
 
Old Sep 10, 2024 | 11:32 PM
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Did you try removing the battery cable then reinstalling it to get out of the limp mode? Is the dealership saying the starter is drawing too many amps on startup causing the code.
 
Old Sep 11, 2024 | 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by kris_loehr
Did you try removing the battery cable then reinstalling it to get out of the limp mode? Is the dealership saying the starter is drawing too many amps on startup causing the code.
I have not tried that! I'm a female and don't have a lot of tools to work with. Yesterday, I told the dealership I don't have the money for another starter and to just clear the code so I can start it and get it home. It will just have to sit in the driveway. I'm worried sick about what they're going to charge me for checking the wiring and clearing the code!!
 
Old Sep 11, 2024 | 07:15 AM
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I forgot....they did say they thought the starter was cranking too slowly causing the code and limp-home mode but I already knew that. That's why I asked them to check all the wiring. When I had that Mitsuba starter installed almost 2 years ago, I had an independent shop close to me do that. After he got it installed, he called me and said it wouldn't start. And that he didn't know what to do. I had to have it towed to the dealership back then too and it took them 4 days to figure out what was wrong. They said a fuse was taken out and put back into the wrong slot. That's all it was back then. They never told me which fuse. Ugh.
 
Old Sep 15, 2024 | 07:02 PM
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I believe the negative battery cable has a 10mm nut you turn counterclockwise to loosen. Rotate the cable end as you pull it up. Pulling either cable should get you started.
I think the independent shop got the car to crank with the new starter but couldn't get it to start related to the fuel pump fuse. Which according to the web is in the Interior fuse box (Driver’s side) location 9 20amp. There is also a main fuse but I think it is screwed down and doesn't fit what the dealer told you. You still have the question of who and when the fuse got moved.
 
Old Sep 15, 2024 | 07:04 PM
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I sold the car. Tired of messing with it. Let it go real cheap and sold in within 1 minute of posting on FB Marketplace.
 
Old Nov 16, 2024 | 10:30 PM
  #10  
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Default 2009 electrical issues

Originally Posted by kris_loehr
"I noticed the starter took extra longer clicks every time I started the car, but it would eventually turn over and seemed to be working fine." Did you mean your Accord just clicks and the starter doesn't engage or it cranks but doesn't start the car.
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