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Steering: Other Honda Fit I

Electronic Steering 17 illustrations ~1715 words

Power Assist Check

Note. This test should be done with original equipment tires and wheels at the correct tire pressure.

Scheme 118

Scheme 118: Power Assist Check
Scheme 118: Power Assist Check
  1. Start the engine, and let it idle.
  2. Attach a commercially available spring scale to the steering wheel. With the engine idling and the vehicle on a clean, dry floor, pull the scale as shown, and read it as soon as the tires begin to turn.
  3. If the scale reads no more than 34 N (3.5 kgf, 7.7 lbf), the power assist is OK. If it reads more, check these items: Steering linkage (see «STEERING LINKAGE AND GEARBOX INSPECTION»(ref-291392-S26492368292008072800000) ) Rack guide adjustment (see «RACK GUIDE ADJUSTMENT»(ref-291392-S09520010952008072800000) ) EPS system (see «EPS INDICATOR»(ref-291392-S36415058252008072800000) )

Scheme 119

Scheme 119: Steering Linkage and Gearbox Inspection
Scheme 119: Steering Linkage and Gearbox Inspection

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX ) and the precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) before doing repairs or service.

Scheme 120

Scheme 120: Steering Wheel Removal
Scheme 120: Steering Wheel Removal

Scheme 121

Scheme 121
Scheme 121
  1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the audio system.
  2. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF, then disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
  3. Align the front wheels straight ahead, then remove the driver's airbag from the steering wheel (see «DRIVER'S AIRBAG REPLACEMENT»(ref-291417-S26847626252008072800000) ).
  4. Disconnect the cable reel subharness connector (A).
  5. Loosen the steering wheel bolt (B).
  6. Install a commercially available steering wheel puller (A) on the steering wheel (B). Free the steering wheel from the steering column shaft by turning the pressure bolt (C) of the puller. Note these items when removing the steering wheel: Do not tap on the steering wheel or the steering column shaft when removing the steering wheel. If you thread the puller bolts (D) into the wheel hub more than five threads, the bolts will hit the cable reel and damage it. To prevent this, install a pair of jam nuts five threads up on each puller bolt.
  7. Remove the steering wheel puller, then remove the steering wheel bolt and steering wheel from the steering column.

Scheme 122

Scheme 122: Steering Wheel Disassembly/Reassembly
Scheme 122: Steering Wheel Disassembly/Reassembly

Scheme 123

Scheme 123: Steering Wheel Installation
Scheme 123: Steering Wheel Installation

Scheme 124

Scheme 124
Scheme 124

Scheme 125

Scheme 125
Scheme 125
  1. Before installing the steering wheel, make sure the front wheels are aligned straight ahead, then center the cable reel (A). Do this by first rotating the cable reel clockwise until it stops. Then rotate it counterclockwise about three full turns. The arrow mark (B) on the cable reel label point should point straight up.
  2. Position the two tabs (A) of the turn signal canceling sleeve (B) as shown. Install the steering wheel on to the steering column shaft, making sure the steering wheel hub (C) engages the pins (D) of the cable reel and tabs of the turn signal canceling sleeve. Do not tap on the steering wheel or steering column shaft when installing the steering wheel.
  3. Install the steering wheel bolt (A), and tighten it to the specified torque. Connect the cable reel subharness connector (B). Make sure the wire harness is routed and fastened properly.
  4. Install the driver's airbag, and confirm that the system is operating properly (see «DRIVER'S AIRBAG REPLACEMENT»(ref-291417-S26847626252008072800000) ).
  5. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery, and do the following items: Turn the ignition switch ON (II); the SRS indicator should come on for about 6 seconds and then go off. Enter the anti-theft code for the audio system. Set the clock. Verify cruise control, horn, and turn signal switch operation. Make sure the steering wheel is centered.

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX ) and the precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) before doing repairs or service.

Scheme 126

Scheme 126: Removal
Scheme 126: Removal

Scheme 127

Scheme 127
Scheme 127
  1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the audio system.
  2. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF, then disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
  3. Remove the driver's airbag assembly and the steering wheel (see «STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL»(ref-291392-S33915606772008072800000) ).
  4. Remove the driver's dashboard undercover (see «DRIVER'S DASHBOARD UNDERCOVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-291426-S33073643082008072800000) ).
  5. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
  6. Remove the upper column cover (A) and lower column cover (B).
  7. Disconnect the wire harness connectors from the combination switch assembly and cable reel (C).
  8. Remove the combination switch assembly from the steering column shaft by removing the three screws (D).
  9. Disconnect the connectors from the ignition switch, and release the wire harness clips from the steering column.
  10. Remove the steering joint bolts (E), then disconnect the steering joint (F) from the pinion shaft.
  11. Remove the steering column (G) by removing the attaching nuts and bolts.
  12. Remove the center guide (H) (if equipped), and discard it. The center guide is for factory assembly only.

Scheme 128

Scheme 128: Installation
Scheme 128: Installation

Scheme 129

Scheme 129
Scheme 129

Scheme 130

Scheme 130
Scheme 130
  1. Install the steering column in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Take care not to let the sliding capsules fall out of position during column installation. Make sure the wires are not caught or pinched by any parts.
  2. Center the steering rack within its stroke.
  3. Adjust the steering column to the full tilt up position.
  4. Insert the upper end of the steering joint onto the steering shaft (A) (line up the bolt hole (B) with the flat portion (C) on the shaft), and loosely install the upper joint bolt.
  5. Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft taking care to align the gap (D) within the angle.
  6. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower joint bolt (C).
  7. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt to the specified torque.
  8. Tighten the upper joint bolt (D) to the specified torque.
  9. Install the steering joint cover A.
  10. Install the steering wheel (see «STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION»(ref-291392-S26264866552008072800000) ).
  11. Install the column covers.
  12. Install the driver's dashboard undercover (see «DRIVER'S DASHBOARD UNDERCOVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-291426-S33073643082008072800000) ).
  13. Connect the negative battery cable, and do the following items. Turn the ignition switch ON (II); the SRS indicator should come on for about 6 seconds and then go off. Enter the anti-theft code for the audio system. Set the clock. Verify cruise control and turn signal switch operation. Make sure the steering wheel is centered.
  14. After installation, do these checks: Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft serrations. Set the steering column to the center tilt position, then do the front toe inspection (see «FRONT TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT»(ref-291393-S22389164562008072800000) ).

Scheme 131

Scheme 131: Inspection
Scheme 131: Inspection
  1. Check the steering column ball bearing (A) and the steering joint bearings (B) for play and proper movement. If any bearing is noisy or has excessive play, replace the steering column as an assembly.
  2. Check the absorbing plates (C), and sliding capsules (D) for distortion or breakage. If there is distortion or breakage, replace the steering column as an assembly.

Scheme 132

Scheme 132: Lock Lever Preload Inspection/Adjustment
Scheme 132: Lock Lever Preload Inspection/Adjustment
  1. Move the lock lever (A) from the loose position to the lock position three to five times. With the lock lever in the loose position measure the lock lever preload 10 mm (0.39 in.) from the end of the lock lever.
  2. If the measurement is out of the specification, adjust the preload using the following procedures. Loosen the lock lever, and set the steering column in the neutral position. Remove the 6 mm lock bolt (B), and remove the stop (C). Adjust the preload by turning the lock bolt (D) left or right. Pull up the lock lever to the uppermost position, and install the stop. Be careful not to loosen the lock lever when installing the stop or tightening the 6 mm lock bolt. Check the preload again. If the measurement is still out of specification, repeat the above procedures to adjust.

Scheme 133

Scheme 133: Steering Lock Replacement
Scheme 133: Steering Lock Replacement

Scheme 134

Scheme 134
Scheme 134
  1. Remove the steering column (see «STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(ref-291392-S33469481142008072800000) ).
  2. Center-punch each of the two shear bolts, and drill their heads off with a 5 mm (3/16 in.) drill bit. Be careful not to damage the switch body when removing the shear bolts.
  3. Remove the shear bolts from the switch body.
  4. Install the switch body without the key inserted.
  5. Loosely tighten the new shear bolts.
  6. Insert the ignition key, and check for proper operation of the steering wheel lock and that the ignition key turns freely.
  7. Tighten the shear bolts (A) until the hex heads (B) twist off.
  8. Rewrite the new immobilizer control unit-receiver (see «IMMOBILIZER CONTROL UNIT-RECEIVER REPLACEMENT»(ref-291434-S15255897302008072800000) ), and make sure the immobilizer system works properly.

EPS Indicator

Under normal conditions, the EPS indicator comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON (II) position, then goes off after the engine is started. This indicates that the LED and its circuit are operating correctly. If there is a failure in the system after the engine is started, the EPS indicator will stay on, and the power assist is turned off or restricted.

When the EPS indicator comes on, the control unit memorizes the DTC. In this case, the control unit will not activate the EPS system after the engine starts again, but it keeps the EPS indicator on.

When DTC 51-01, 51-02 or 51-06 is stored in the control unit, the EPS indicator will stay on until the DTC is erased. When a problem is detected and the EPS indicator comes on, there are cases when the indicator stays on until the ignition switch is turned OFF, and cases when the indicator goes off automatically when the system returns to normal. Even though the system is operating normally, the EPS indicator will come on under the following conditions

  1. When the vehicle speed decreases abruptly (by applying the brakes) from above 12 mph (20 km/h) to less than 1 mph (1 km/h), and after abrupt deceleration, the engine speed is above 2,000 rpm for 5 seconds (continuously).
  2. The steering wheel is turned for 20 seconds (continuously) when the vehicle speed is than 1 mph (1 km/h), and the engine speed is above 2,000 rpm for at least 10 seconds.
  3. The engine speed is above 500 rpm or less and the vehicle speed is above 6 mph (10 km/h) for about 3 seconds (continuously).

To determine the actual cause of the problem, question the customer about the conditions during which the problem occurred, taking the above conditions into consideration.

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