To all those with 4gen 4WS ... - Honda Prelude Forum

yohan420 · 09-05-2003, 01:28 PM

Here's my story: first problem, inside of my rear tires worn bald.. both of them.. toyo proxes too ..

so I got a wheel alignment at an inexpensive mechanic.

At first the alignment was great, no shimmey etc. so I went back said fix it.. he didnt hook it up to a computer and said here .. I went back again, and same ****, steering wheel was crooked the wrong way. THEN my 4ws started swayin back n forth on the highway ... and steeringwheel still crooked and car was pulling to the left.

I went to the dealership, got a 4ws computer alignment they said somethin about not being able to put in the lock pin in the rear because it was too rusty but aligned it fine as they would have a normal car. No change really, less shimmey but the #'s on the computer were way better than before.. car still pulls left, 4ws still sways but I've never got a 4ws lite. I'll be going 80mph and the car will sway left to right while the steering wheel doesnt move, its trippy.

I've yet to pull the fuse on the 4ws to troubleshoot but I did some reading and looks to be a common problem.

I am gonna replace my rear 4ws box with one that can take the lock pin soon as I can and get another alignment...

So:
Is there a recall I the angle sensor? ...
Has anybody else had these probs?
What proper maint. can solve/revent this?
Should I ***** at honda about my alignment?

willmbrk · 09-05-2003, 02:13 PM

I haven't seen any recalls for 4WS parts. According to the Honda repair book, you can reset your 4WS by turning your steering wheel all the way from one side to the other. If the 4WS is faulty, then your car should drive like a normal car. It is possible that your 4WS computer is malfunctioning.

Mark94 · 09-05-2003, 02:14 PM

Never had a single problem with my previous Prelude (93 Si 4WS) - had it for 3 years.

I would take it back to honda and make them redo it until it is perfect. Ask a tech to go for a drive with you in the car and point out all the problem areas. It doesn't sound like there is a problem with the 4WS mechanism because the 4WS light hasn't lit up.

Are you lowered or have any suspension mods?

Mark

yohan420 · 09-05-2003, 06:52 PM

I just recently lowered my car on H&R sport and KYB adjustable shocks.. kind of loses me a battle against honda for the alignment .. there is more of a shimmy now and my rear camber is hella noticeable ... even still though, the car pulls left and always did so ... maybe i can work somethin out with a 50% off alignment..

As far as the recall I think I remember hearing / reading there was a 4ws angle sensor or something that was faulty ...

4WS Problem

ar5enal · 09-05-2003, 07:29 PM

I have my car lowered on Koni Yellows and Neuspeed race springs (~2" drop). She pulls right a little (I know why).

The only problem I've ever had with 4ws is the light coming on randomly. I usually shut her off, wait a bit, and then start up again, and that takes care of it. I read about the recall on 4ws ludes, and I think that's the problem..bad angle sensor.

Your problem sounds like something a lot more serious...if there's any malfunction with the 4ws, the system locks the rear wheels straight on, effectively rendering your car 2ws. If your car is swaying, it's a bad sign.

I agree with Mark94. Take it back to Honda and have them fix it. Read up about the 4ws in the Helms manual, so that you know what you're talking about. Make sure they know what the problem is...and make sure they fix it.

Absolut · 09-05-2003, 11:33 PM

Sounds like you have a bad steering angle sensor, its the one in the steering colum.

If your tires are really worn on one side, then you get an alignment, then tires will actually pull the car to one side cause the tread is now angled in that direction from the previous bad alignment... Make sense?

Side Note:
ALWAYS take your car to a shop that knows how to do alignments on 4WS cars, call them beforehand. The 4WS system is touchy and delicate, you can mess it up by trying to force an alignment.

4WS is like a hot girlfriend, 99% of the time its the best thing in the world... until she gets in one of her moods. Then both are fixed by spending money

yohan420 · 09-06-2003, 01:13 AM

Absolut: heheheheeh very true

But yea after my tires were worn I got them replaced and got the wheel alignment at the same time .. I'm going to be replacing the other 2 old tires in early/mid october .. then I'll have all 4 new tires and I should harp on Honda to get me a decent wheel alignment because I plan to have the new 4ws box by then as well. (Thx Si4WS

)

I will be contacting Honda for sure very soon here in the near future about that recall and have it done on my car so everything steering is gauranteed not to ****up, so if its out I know I can harp on honda until it is corrected 100% .. I settle for nothing less on my baby

Your opinions and input are definately helping. there was on honda-prelude.com another couple of people describing the same swaying .... but yeah, doin 100mph+ and feeling your car sway on the straightaway is not a good feeling .. she's good when it turns but oiy .. . adrenaline.

Red4WS · 09-06-2003, 02:29 AM

i got that swaying that your talking about...the problem was a result of crappy tires...BFG scorchers would pick up on the lines in the freeway cement and cause it to sway...the problem was rendered by putting the BFGs up front and the Bridgestone Potenzas in the rear.

yohan420 · 09-06-2003, 03:03 AM

Hmm ... guess im going to replace my back tires with the same kind as I have in the front .. new ones up front, current ones in back of course ... then do the alignment, 4ws box .. all should be good and I should be 100% ... that is the plan .. and definatley I'll keep you posted.. but keep the comments coming.

Preludeian · 03-06-2004, 04:20 PM

((((BUMP))))

After leaving the gas station today and entering the highway on a right turn my car made a sudden jerk, kinda scared me. Anyways, I was like "What the hell". My reaction was to look down at the dash for a light. There in my dash the 4WS light was lit up.

I dropped my sister off at the mall and went on my way home via I5 south. Whenever I was switching lanes I'd sometimes get a slight jerking from the rear end. Nothing to big but enough where you could tell something wasn't right

The whole time the light stayed on, argh!

Pulled into my apartments and parked. Turned the key OFF and sat there for twenty seconds. Then turned the car back on and the light was lit up for maybe three secs then turned off. I didn't take it back out on the road to check if it came back on.

You think trying that realignment fix, full crank left to full crank right via the steering wheel would fix it? That does have to be done while the car is running correct?

yohan420 · 03-07-2004, 12:44 AM

I dont think you need to start the car.. I would because it'll make turning the steering wheel easier with the power steering pump going ..

I wouldnt be worried though, usually turning the car off / on resets the 4ws ecu but do the turn left/right just to be sure its good..

The rear 4ws unit has a couple of springs so if it hits a bump when its not engaged it'll do a bit of jerky on ya ....

next time the 4ws light goes on, get off at the next exit or somewhere safe and reset the car.. we dont like trageties here

Preludeian · 03-07-2004, 07:45 PM

Yeah, it was just a fluke light. Worked like a charm all day today. It has personality I swear to god! It was having a shiddy day I guess

NoShoNoGoAccord · 06-28-2004, 11:33 AM

Sorry for digging up an old thread but I figure this is the best thread to post the fix for the 4WS issue.

The solution is to resolder these broken points inside the unit.

1. Disconnect battery
2. Remove 4WS unit from car (before to get access you have to take off left rear seat and rear moulding inside trunk): disconnect 3 (If I remember well) connectors, 1 or 2 grounds, remove metal cover, and finally remove the unit.
3. Open 4WS unit (6 screws) and carefully put the cover (there is an electronic board connected with one electrical stripe) on the side. I used a big large book to put the cover on and not to brake the stripe. Finally you will have cover on the left side (laying on the book) and open 4WS unit on right side.
4. Remove internal metal cover you will see on the right side (some screws) and take it off.
5. You will see a lot of electronical (and electromechanical) parts inside. There are two black boxes (about 1 cm x 1.5 cm) little under the center of the unit. These boxes are 2 small relays. The problem is there!!! , but on the other side of electronic board, so next step is....
6. Remove the main electronic board from the box: remove all screws that fix the board to the box and other components: I am unable to say you exactly how many of them you have to unscrew - I just don't remember, but you will see yourself what is keeping the board in place. Also it is necessary to unscrew 8 big transistors from box (serving as radiator).
7. When the board is unscrewed, put some protecting paper (ex. newspaper) on the cover board laying on the book and carefully extract the board from aluminium box. Put it on the newspaper with solderings side upper.
8. These 2 relays are soldered 4 or 5 points every of them. These are big solderings. I took a magnifing tool (don't know exact english name - zoom ???) and carefully watching the relays solderings I considered ALL of them were broken.
9. Resolder all relays points and mount the unit.
10. After reputting it in the car problem's GONE!!!!

Hope this helps some of you. It fixed mine. It is a GREAT feeling not seeing that 4WS light light up anymore.

Preludeian · 06-28-2004, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the UPDATE!!

yohan420 · 06-28-2004, 09:03 PM

what problem is that it fixes thougH? Swaying or 4ws light? because i've only thrown a 4ws light twice when parking against a curb..

NoShoNoGoAccord · 06-28-2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yohan420
what problem is that it fixes thougH? Swaying or 4ws light? because i've only thrown a 4ws light twice when parking against a curb..

Oh, sorry. You are right. This is mainly a fix for people getting error 61-63. Or any code that goes is for the 4WS ECU.

Yes, you will get a 4WS light if you bump the curb. That is the whole reason for the warning light. However, if you are getting intermittent problems with it where it will work one time and not the other, or it won't work at all., this could be a fix for you. Either way, it is not a bad idea to do anyway.

The credit for this fix does not go to me. SOmeone from Honda-Tech posted it for us. It has already helped three of us. Hopefully, it will help more people.

yohan420 · 07-06-2004, 09:55 AM

kickass, thx for the tip .. I'm pretty sure mine is just proper alignment as its still pulling right (moreso after putting on lowered suspension) .. when I can get my lock nut drilled out I'll take it back to honda for a proper 4ws alignment.

chester · 04-20-2006, 07:07 PM

I hate to thread dig, but I didn't want to start a new thread.

Should I stray away from getting a 4ws because of this and other problems? I've been told in a 50/50 population for good/bad on the 4ws. I've found a bangin-ass deal on one, but I'd like experienced opinions, first. Anyone?

Absolut · 04-20-2006, 08:14 PM

I say get it despite the 4ws. Its a cool feature, I loved mine.

If the 4ws becomes an issue, you can pull the fuse and the wheels will lock straight ahead and it will be like you dont have 4ws anymore.

merlindavis · 04-20-2006, 11:25 PM

it's a very delicate system compared to the 100% mechanical system on the 3g, however, it's a wonderful feature... i still amaze people when they see the back wheels turning (3g)...

once you get it, you'll love it... like Absolut said, if you don't like it or it gives you problems, pull the fuse, problem solved...