Vtm 4

[Melvin8078]

Hey guys I need your opinions. I live in Edmonton, Canada and lately my VTM4 on the dash is lighting up. This only happens when its cold outside. I took it to the dealership and they said that it could be a bad control module of some sort. Anyone else have experience this on theirs? I almost got in a heated argument with the service advisor about it. He asked me if I had any after market parts on the truck. He mentioned all 3 that i had which was HIDs, HU, and cell charger. All 3 were visible and told me that it could be those that is causing the problem. Apparently those 3 are emitting a RF signal that's causing the VTM to light up on the dash. I looked at him...WTF do you think I'm stupid?! Make the long story short, he went back to the shop foreman to find out exactly what went on the diagnostic. He came back and said that it threw a code that it light up but could not determine the cause. Of course I have to bring it in when the light is on and hopefully then can fix the problem.

So please anyone with an answer as to what the problem is let me know. I want to tell them exactly what needs to be done and I'm not paying anything that's under warranty. They better not use the BS about me having aftermarket parts on my truck!

[Goodview]

Originally Posted by Melvin8078

He mentioned all 3 that i had which was HIDs, HU, and cell charger. All 3 were visible and told me that it could be those that is causing the problem. Apparently those 3 are emitting a RF signal that's causing the VTM to light up on the dash. I looked at him...WTF do you think I'm stupid?! Make the long story short, he went back to the shop foreman to find out exactly what went on the diagnostic. He came back and said that it threw a code that it light up but could not determine the cause. Of course I have to bring it in when the light is on and hopefully then can fix the problem.

He could very well be correct. The Odyssey had a problem with the alternator about 6 years ago that was failing to filter electrical noise (from the cooling fan) and screwing up the computer's ability to monitor several functions. There's a TSB about it here.

I've heard of CR-V owners with 'interference' problems caused by cheap (usually Asian) add-ons, especially things they plugged into the accy socket. See post number 9, below for links.

.... BTW, you didn't mention your mileage and it is slippery under foot these days... If your VTM-4 fluid is overdue / contaminated with moisture, could that be your problem? My rear diff has 'grunted' a few times just since the recent snow storm.... Changed the fluid and all is quiet.

[Ian Brantford]

Did the service advisor literally say that it was RF interference, or electrical interference? There is a big difference. Electrical interference could happen if the different power circuits are not isolated from each other -- for which I am not qualified to judge. Maybe others here are. For RF interference, that would have to be some pretty powerful broadcast (or a very vulnerable VTM system) to be an issue.

However, in either case, you can disconnect or undo all three modifications to see whether there is any merit to this claim. Hopefully you have the original headlights. For the HU and charger, completely disconnecting them would be required, not just turning them off.

Yes, disconnecting all your mods might be a bother, but it would provide objective evidence.

[RickC5]

Please check out this thread, as it is most enlightening:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...ad.php?t=38084

BTW--I know you don't want to hear this, but I can't count the number of times I have had to remove a mod to one of my cars because the mod interfered with something else in the car. This happens because the mod designers/manufacturers/suppliers simply do not test their mod(s) on every make & model of vehicle out there. They test a few and hope nothing happens to the rest. Yeah, right.

A good example is that my Escort Passport radar/laser detector will SCREAM out a Laser warning every time I honk the horn in ANY Honda vehicle I have owned. It doesn't do this in Toyotas, ever. Escort knows about this and can install a fix/upgrade for $50. Nah, I'll just deal with it.

I'm waiting for someone to install a mod that shuts down the brakes so we can witness the battle over who pays. Would be interesting.

[drdave00]

I have a set of Beamer HID's with the low and high beam in the same bulb.(motorized) I also have a Kenwood DNX9960 installed.I have no issues with the RL electronics,I do have an issue with the bluetooth for the phone as the people i call say they cannot understand me and lots of background noise. If I shut the truck off and use the phone it sounds perfect to my callers. from idle up is noisey and unusable. I hope this gives you some info on your vtm issue as mine works fine.I have also installed a Passport Qi45 installed and I have not had any issues.

[Melvin8078]

hey guys... I only have the problem when its cold. I do remember even before I put on the "mods" it lit up. It was around -40 here in Edmonton and the vtm4 lit up. I also noticed that after 15 minutes of driving and then shutting of the truck, it does not come back on. The other thing that SA said was low battery charge, could that be a possibility?

[MikeT]

Bad batteries create all kinds of weird reactions from the Ridgeline...

[PLF]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Bad batteries create all kinds of weird reactions from the Ridgeline...

I agree with this. I also noticed that when offroading the vtm-4 lights comes on much later when the fluid as been changed recently.

[Goodview]

Here's a few examples of HID electrical interference whacking various other systems on various modern vehicles.....


Electromagnetic Interference with new HiD kit!

Newly installed HID's causing TPMS light to come on?

HID KIT & FM Radio Interference

HID Headlight interference issues?

[silveridge]

From the ’06-'07 RL Service Manual, p. 15-4 (general troubleshooting information for the VTM-4 Indicator):

The VTM-4 Indicator comes on under certain conditions even if the 4WD system is working normally. Here are some examples:

• When you use high-powered wireless equipment such as a CB or Ham radio in the vehicle.
• When you keep spinning the front wheels while the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, snow, etc.
• When the battery voltage suddenly drops below 8 volts or rises above 16 volts.

After the VTM-4 indicator comes on, it stays on until you turn the ignition switch off.

Don't know if any of these are causing your problem, Melvin, but this may of assistance to others with unexplained VTM-4 Indicator illumination.