How To: Reset 4WS
I have read a few posts about people asking how to reset 4WS. Here is how to reset 4WS to make it function again. This works on 5th gen Preludes, but I don't know if it works on 4th gen Preludes.
You will need to short circuit the service connector. It is located left side of the centre tunnel near the glove box, when you look at it there is a removable carpeted cover where the centre tunnel ends under the dashboard.
After removing it you'll see 2 connectors plugged in a holster (they should be blue if I remember correctly). The small one which has 2 pins in it is the service connector and you need to short these pins.
So if you can find it this is how it goes:
1. Apply the hand brake.
2. Short the service connector pins with a paper clip or something.
3. Turn the steering wheel to CLOCKWISE (right) 45-65 degrees and hold it that way.
4. Turn the ignition switch to II (on) position but DON'T start your engine.
You'll see that all your warning lights will go on and off, don't pay attention to them.
5. After your 4WS light goes OFF, turn the steering wheel to CENTRE (turn it left) position within 4 seconds and hold it still.
6. When your 4WS light turns ON, turn your steering wheel to CLOCKWISE again to 45-60 degrees and hold still (again within 4 seconds).
7. When the 4WS light goes OFF, turn the wheel to the centre position again within 4 seconds and hold it still.
8. If your 4WS light blinks TWICE then you succeeded.
If it stays on after this that means you failed, so simply turn the ignition off and go back to step one and try again. The tricky part with this procedure is that you should do all the steering inputs within 4 seconds so keep it in mind.
If you succeeded, turn your ignition off, remove the short on the service connector, start your engine and check if it's working.
To some, it might look complicated but it is very easy, it only takes a few minutes.
I used a paper clip to short the service connector, but Honda supply a plug which goes into the service connector to short it.
My 4WS failed when I was too close to a kerb and drove off. The rear wheels tried to turn, but couldn’t, which caused the 4WS to stop functioning. This messed up my tracking / alignment, obviously the above procedure doesn’t fix tracking, but it will get the 4WS to function again.
I have seen people here saying that tracking needs to be sorted by a Honda dealer if the car has 4WS. It doesn’t. Tracking can be done anywhere which does 4 wheel tracking. My local Honda dealer hasn’t got the equipment for 4 wheel alignment. If they get a 4WS car which has tracking / alignment problems, they take them to a garage down the road who do 4 wheel alignment with standard equipment. Most garages can just do 2 wheel tracking / alignment. They sorted mine, but I didn’t go through Honda."
It worked for me and the light has never come on since (nearly 2 years ago now!)
If you do the above and it works for a little while and then breaks again, you will need to follow the advice perviously mentioned regarding using a paperclip and finding the fault code from the diagnostics plug.