Two types of body controller area networks are present in Honda vehicles, including F-CAN and B-CAN. F-CAN is the fast body controller area network with 500 kbps speed. In addition, its main function is to share information between the electric controller units. It controls the real-time fuel and emission data and gives an error message when its components become faulty.
Honda F-CAN communication malfunction can be due to damaged wires, faulty sensors, system default in CAN, bad control modules, loose connections, broken connectors, modules not reset, short-circuited vehicle stability control and gauge control module, and weak or dead battery.
You can see relevant error codes when connecting the scanning tool with the OBD-II port near the steering wheel and inside the instrumental cluster panel. Reading the trouble codes through diagnostic devices can find the problematic parts quickly.
Causes | Solutions |
Damaged wires | Keep hood close |
Faulty sensors | Clean or replace dirty and faulty sensors |
System default in CAN | Use a scanner device to find the error code |
Bad control modules | Find the faulty module with scanner tool and replace it |
Loose connections | Tighten the loosely connected wires |
Broken connectors | Replace broken connectors or pins |
Modules not reset | Disconnect the battery to reset the module |
Short-circuited vehicle stability control and gauge control module | Clear DTC with HDS |
Weak or dead battery | Jump-start or recharge battery |
Damaged wires
F-CAN communication can malfunction, and you can receive the respective error codes on the diagnostic tools. The issue comes because of the damaged wirings of the different parts.
You can see channels of interconnected electric wires in your vehicle, which are used to connect the different electric components to supply power.
These cannot function because of broken or damaged electric cables. Wires can get damaged because of water ingress in your car. Water can enter inside while driving over the water puddles and parking outside during rainy weather.
In addition, incorrect techniques during deep washing also damage the electric components, including wiring. Rodents and insects like ants can also chew and damage the insulating coating of electric wires.
Rodents and insects can enter your vehicle when you park them at vulnerable places. Rodents can also access the interior because of the food smell and the presence of food crumbs.
Opened hoods also provide a way for insects and rodents to attack the electric wires. It is necessary that you should avoid parking near ant colonies.
Keep the hood closed when parking outside and ensure that the hood is properly latched. Remove the food crumbs and other attractants from the passenger compartment.
Faulty sensors
You can also receive the fault codes on the scanning tools relevant to the different sensors. Honda F-CAN communication shares the information with the electric control unit via various sensors.
These sensors send the information to the control unit for specific outcomes. Fuel or emission components stop functioning because of the failure of the respective sensors.
Sensors become faulty because of the dust and debris accumulation on their parts. In addition, fuel and emission-related sensors are vulnerable to carbon deposits that are hard to remove.
Furthermore, sensors become faulty because of their broken wires and electric connections. They cannot communicate with the control unit because of damaged wirings.
In addition, they cannot process the information because of your Honda vehicle’s weak or dead battery. Corrosion can also come from the sensors mounted on the wheel because of exposure to road elements, including mud, rainwater, and road salts.
Moreover, the issue comes from the damaged internal parts of these sensors that make them unable to process the information to the ECU. You can also face problems because of the broken sensors.
You can clean the sensors with specific cleaners or warm water and liquid soap. Replace the damaged or broken sensor with a new one because it is non-repairable.
System default in CAN
F-CAN communication in your Honda cars also malfunctions because of the system default. Several control modules cannot communicate with each other to give specific inputs and outputs.
You can see several error codes on the diagnostic tools while scanning. The date between several control modules, including engine, transmission, and wheel speed, cannot interchange for specific commands because of the system default.
It can also decrease your cars’ overall performance and efficiency when different systems cannot communicate. Using the scanner devices and finding the problematic part is necessary to fix it quickly and optimize the overall performance.
Bad control modules
F-CAN is responsible for exchanging data between several control modules to perform various functions. These modules depend on each other to perform the specific operation.
It stops working because of the bad control module. The system cannot interpret and process the signals when one of the modules becomes faulty.
Control modules become faulty because of hardware and firmware issues. The issue in the individual module can also come because of electrical faults or software glitches. You have to find the problematic control module via diagnostic tools and replace it with a new one.
Loose connections
F-CAN does not allow several control modules to share information because of the loose wiring connections. Loose wires cannot efficiently transmit the signals and cause problems.
Wiring connections become loose because of the damaged wires and loose screws and bolts that are used to tighten the electric wires.
In addition, driving over bumpy roads increases the risk of loose wiring connections; you should inspect all parts to trace the loosely connected wires. Disconnect the wire and tighten the loosely disconnected wire screws with a wrench.
Broken connectors
Broken connectors and their pins affect the signaling between the electric control modules, leading to malfunctioning F-CAN communication.
Connectors can break because of their age and physical impact. Broken connectors or pins cannot hold the electric wires in their place and cause damaged connections.
You cannot repair the broken connectors or pins, and you have to replace them with new ones.
Modules not reset
Several modules need resetting after the recommended time to restore their functioning. These cannot function because of the overloaded information and bugs.
You have to reset it to restore the factory of the default setting after cleaning the junk files. You can reset the control modules with the control button on the steering wheel.
In addition, you can also reset them by disconnecting the battery terminal.
Keep your vehicle OFF for 5 to 10 minutes, reconnect the battery, and turn the ignition ON.
Short-circuited vehicle stability control and gauge control module
F-CAN in Honda cars becomes faulty because of the short-circuited stability control and gauge control module. The major symptom of this malfunction is the loss of control of the stability system.
Moreover, cruise control also stops functioning because of the failure of these modules. You cannot see any change when you press the VSA button in your car.
These are vulnerable to failure because of the short-circuited electric wires. You can fix it by turning the ignition ON in your Honda car. Clear the DTC with the Honda diagnostic system and then inspect the DTC with HDS.
Weak or dead battery
Batteries are responsible for powering the fuel and emission system in your car. Control units cannot exchange and communicate with each other because of the weak and dead batteries. As a result, Honda F-Can communication will stop working.
They cannot generate the signals when battery voltage decreases than its normal value. It is necessary to check the battery voltage with a voltmeter instead of diagnostic tools.
Use the voltmeter and connect the battery’s positive and negative terminals. Recharge the battery or jump-start your vehicle if the voltmeter is showing less than 12 V.
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