cold weather problems

drahgon · 01-21-2008, 03:00 PM

Ok, it has been pretty cold where I am lately, today it was around -30C (-22F) when i started my car. It was plugged in, started no problem but i noticed that it didn't go into its fast idle right away like it normally does. Instead it sat around 1-1.5k rpm for awhile. Meanwhile I get out to scrape the windows and let it warm up a little and i hear the engine finally get into its fast idle. Then it sounds like the rpms start going up and down erractically, then they settle back down *strange i thought* Get back in my car *CRAP

* the check engine light is on, great. I also noticed that there is already 4 bars on the temp gauge, even with the time it takes to scrap my windows i don't usually get any bars until i drive for 5 minutes or so. I drive away, no power, engine won't rev over 2.5k and starts chugging when i get over 50km/h. I pull into a parking lot, turn the car off and restart it... check engine light is still on, but seems to drive normally now. I drive off, once its warmed up completely, take it up to 5k rpm and everything seems ok. I've already got an appointment at the dealer but wondering if anyone else has had this problem or any insight into what it might be?

oh yeah, 07 si...

**NBPRudy** · 01-21-2008, 03:44 PM

Interesting.You may want to have your dealer check it out.

A Service Bulletin was just issued for the CSX and I wonder if the 2 are related.

On some vehicles equipped with electronic throttle control, the ETCS control relay may freeze when exposed to temperatures below -20°C. This will immediately set DTC1659 and result in a lack of vehicle power until the key is cycled after the relay has warmed up.

Does anyone know if there is a similar bulletin for the Civic?

drahgon · 01-21-2008, 05:06 PM

hmm, sounds like my problem, thanks for the info!

drahgon · 01-23-2008, 03:06 PM

Well the light went away the same day, had my appointment service appointment today. Code was P2101 for etcs malfunction, the tech figures it was just frozen from the cold temps (like that tsb says) in case anyone has the same problem.

**NBPRudy** · 01-23-2008, 03:16 PM

Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) Malfunction

Well nothing to do with what I posted but good to hear you got it figured out!

01-21-2008, 03:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
drahgon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,480 Daryl iTrader: 0 / 0%	cold weather problems Ok, it has been pretty cold where I am lately, today it was around -30C (-22F) when i started my car. It was plugged in, started no problem but i noticed that it didn't go into its fast idle right away like it normally does. Instead it sat around 1-1.5k rpm for awhile. Meanwhile I get out to scrape the windows and let it warm up a little and i hear the engine finally get into its fast idle. Then it sounds like the rpms start going up and down erractically, then they settle back down strange i thought Get back in my car CRAP the check engine light is on, great. I also noticed that there is already 4 bars on the temp gauge, even with the time it takes to scrap my windows i don't usually get any bars until i drive for 5 minutes or so. I drive away, no power, engine won't rev over 2.5k and starts chugging when i get over 50km/h. I pull into a parking lot, turn the car off and restart it... check engine light is still on, but seems to drive normally now. I drive off, once its warmed up completely, take it up to 5k rpm and everything seems ok. I've already got an appointment at the dealer but wondering if anyone else has had this problem or any insight into what it might be? oh yeah, 07 si...

01-21-2008, 03:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
NBPRudy Holy Crap!!!™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 46,675 Randy iTrader: 45 / 100%	Interesting.You may want to have your dealer check it out. A Service Bulletin was just issued for the CSX and I wonder if the 2 are related. On some vehicles equipped with electronic throttle control, the ETCS control relay may freeze when exposed to temperatures below -20°C. This will immediately set DTC1659 and result in a lack of vehicle power until the key is cycled after the relay has warmed up. Does anyone know if there is a similar bulletin for the Civic? __________________

01-23-2008, 03:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
NBPRudy Holy Crap!!!™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 46,675 Randy iTrader: 45 / 100%	Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) Malfunction Well nothing to do with what I posted but good to hear you got it figured out! __________________

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01-21-2008, 05:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
drahgon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,480 Daryl iTrader: 0 / 0%	hmm, sounds like my problem, thanks for the info!

01-23-2008, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
drahgon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,480 Daryl iTrader: 0 / 0%	Well the light went away the same day, had my appointment service appointment today. Code was P2101 for etcs malfunction, the tech figures it was just frozen from the cold temps (like that tsb says) in case anyone has the same problem.