DTC 76-33: Faulty F-CAN Communication or Internal Failure of the E-Pretensioner Unit (PGM-FI System); DTC 76-34: Faulty F-CAN Communication or Internal Failure of the E-Pretensioner Unit (A/T System)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Acura MDX, 2012 Acura MDX, 2011 Acura MDX, and 2010 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

Before doing this troubleshooting procedure, find out if the vehicle was in a collision. If so, verify that all the required components were replaced with new components, of the correct part number, and that they were properly installed (see COMPONENT REPLACEMENT/INSPECTION AFTER DEPLOYMENT ).
Before doing this troubleshooting procedure, review SRS PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES and GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION .

Clear the DTCs with the HDS (see HOW TO CLEAR DTCS ).
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), then wait for 10 seconds.
Check for DTCs with the HDS (see HOW TO CLEAR DTCS ).
Is DTC 76-33, or 76-34 indicated?

YES -Go to step 4.

NO -Intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. Go to TROUBLESHOOTING INTERMITTENT FAILURES . If another DTC is indicated, troubleshoot the DTC.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), then wait for 10 seconds.
Check the MIL on the gauge.
Does the MIL indicator go off?

YES -Go to step 7.

NO -Go to the MIL Circuit Troubleshooting (see MIL CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING ).
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Jump the SCS line with the HDS (see GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ).
NOTE: This step must be done to protect the PCM from damage.
Disconnect PCM connector A (49P) from the PCM (see PCM REPLACEMENT ).
Disconnect E-pretensioner unit connector B (14P) from the E-pretensioner unit (see E-PRETENSIONER UNIT REPLACEMENT ).
Check for continuity between E-pretensioner unit connector B (14P) terminals No. 3 and No. 5, and PCM connector A (49P) terminals No. 48 and No. 49.

Fig 1: Checking Continuity Between E-Pretensioner Unit Connector B (14P) Terminals No. 3 And No. 5, And PCM Connector (49P) Terminals No. 48 And No. 49
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

YES -Go to step 12.

NO -Open in the right engine compartment wire harness or the dashboard wire harness or the floor wire harness; repair the faulty harness, then clear the DTC.
Disconnect these connectors:
- VSA modulator-control unit 46P connector (see VSA MODULATOR-CONTROL UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
- Gauge control module connector A (12P) (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ).
- ACC unit 20P connector (with ACC) (see ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
- Yaw rate-lateral/longitudinal acceleration sensor 4P connector (see YAW RATE-LATERAL/LONGITUDINAL ACCELERATION SENSOR REPLACEMENT ).
- Steering angle sensor 5P connector (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
- SRS unit connector A (39P) (see SRS UNIT REPLACEMENT ).
- Active damper control unit connector B (14P) (with active damper) (see ACTIVE DAMPER CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT ).
- SH-AWD control unit connector A (20P) (see SH-AWD® CONTROL UNIT INITIALIZATION ).
- TPMS control unit 20P connector (see TPMS CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT ).
- AcuraLink control unit connector A (32P) (USA model with AcuraLink) (see ACURALINK CONTROL UNIT (XM RECEIVER) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Measure the resistance between E-pretensioner unit connector B (14P) terminals No. 3 and No. 5.

Fig 2: Measuring Resistance Between E-Pretensioner Unit Connector B (14P) Terminals No. 3 And No. 5
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there an open circuit or at least 1 MΩ?

YES -Go to step 14.

NO -Short to another wire in the right engine compartment wire harness or the dashboard wire harness or the floor wire harness; repair the faulty harness, then clear the DTC.
Measure the resistance between body ground and E-pretensioner unit connector B (14P) terminals No. 3 and No. 5 individually.

Fig 3: Measuring Resistance Between Body Ground And E-Pretensioner Unit Connector B (14P) Terminals No. 3 And No. 5
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there an open circuit or at least 1 MΩ?

YES -Replace the E-pretensioner unit (see E-PRETENSIONER UNIT REPLACEMENT ), then clear the DTC.

NO -Short to ground in the right engine compartment wire harness or the dashboard wire harness or the floor wire harness; repair the faulty harness, then clear the DTC.