Why is my check engine light and VTM-4 light coming on when my car gets wet?

1,330

Asked by msmith84 Apr 29, 2016 at 08:35 AM about the 2009 Honda Pilot EX-L with DVD 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2009 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD. I've noticed that when it rains or snows my check engine and VTM-4 light comes on. In about a day or so they both will go away? What could this be???

31 Answers

220,505

If this is a problem developing a code would be stored in the computer. I would say go to like Auto Zone to have it checked for codes. If there is a code, then you would know what to look at to fix the problem. You can post the code back here for the meaning and cause.

100 people found this helpful.
1,330

I have gone by auto part store a had code pulled. Its reading P0175 bank 1 system to rich.

56 people found this helpful.
220,505

This means...P0175 HONDA - Fuel System Too Rich Bank 2... Possible causes - Faulty front heated oxygen sensor - Ignition misfiring - Faulty fuel injectors - Exhaust gas leaks - Incorrect fuel pressure - Faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor ......................................................................................................... - Fuel injection system does not operate properly. - The amount of mixture ratio compensation is too large. (The mixture ratio is too rich.)... Possible symptoms - Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light) - Excessive Fuel Consumption... P0175 Honda Description... With the Air/Fuel Mixture Ratio Self-Learning Control, the actual mixture ratio can be brought closely to the theoretical mixture ratio based on the mixture ratio feedback signal from the heated oxygen sensors 1. The Engine Control Module (ECM) calculates the necessary compensation to correct the offset between the actual and the theoretical ratios. In case the amount of the compensation value is extremely large (The actual mixture ratio is too lean.), the ECM judges the condition as the fuel injection system malfunction and light up the MIL (2 trip detection logic).

65 people found this helpful.
1,330

Is this just a sensor I can purchase? Oxygen Sensor? I really appreciate your help!

30 people found this helpful.
220,505

Yes, more than likely the front 02 sensor, the one closest to the engine. The MAF can be cleaned with electrical cleaner at the plugin. Take apart and clean.

64 people found this helpful.
1,330

Awesome! Sounds easy enough... Thank you for the speedy response.

26 people found this helpful.
1,330

I've gone online to view this 02 Sensor. They all say " Upstream or Downstream"? Which one would I need to get?

21 people found this helpful.
1,020

I was told by the dealer whenever the check engine light comes on the VTM-4 light will also intermittently come on. The issue may not be related to VTM-4.

102 people found this helpful.
1,380

Hi I have a 04 Honda pilot and my check engine light came on and my vtm4 and it makes a cracking sound when I drive it what does that mean

139 people found this helpful.
250

Did anyone ever answer this? Mine is doing the same thing:-(

25 people found this helpful.
660

Check Engine light on, VTM4 on Honda Pilot 2003. Gives error codes P1399, P0450, P0301 - any thoughts? Owners manual says pull over immediately if VTM4 light on and shut engine off in Drive. Did this about 6 times on the way home just a few miles. Is that necessary?

66 people found this helpful.
950

Just had VTM4 and check engine came on today thought I could drive two miles home. Heard something "snap" and the loud flutter sound like a belt snapped. It never happened before and literally went from warning to snap in 10 minutes. I pulled into parking lot and took Lyft home. I've have kept up with all preventative maintenance including replacing the timing belt, alternator, battery, etc. etc. etc. What could have snapped??

95 people found this helpful.
170

Same issues as listed above. In addition my cooling fan stop working and it’s stalling.

17 people found this helpful.
140

dont no. sink everything.let me know how it turns out?

14 people found this helpful.
250

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvxNfp_YN6E

25 people found this helpful.
310

2013 pilot 60,000- check engine, vtm4 and traction control lights all came on. Car occasionally smells like burning oil and losing power although dealerships said engine was clean. Honda is now replacing piston rings etc- major engine repair but covered under warranty . :( Bring your car in!!!

31 people found this helpful.
630

VTM light and emission light(?) came on and vibrated the vehicle (on dry paved road) We took the vehicle into Grand Forks HONDA and spent $1000 but enroute to Winnipeg the lights came back on. The next day we took it to HONDA in Winnipeg and they said it was another problem and they could order the part. My husband decided to get another opinion and went to Steinbach today and was paid $260 to fix problem. Driving home all lights are back on! He turned around and they said oh for another $600 we can fix this VTM problem. I’m so frustrated. Do mechanics ever look under the hood and diagnose an issue or is everything strictly by “error code”? Because 4 visits and 4 different suggestions - we’ll be broke. 2011 Honda Pilot ex

41 people found this helpful.
350

https://www.autonews.com/article/20131022/OEM11/131029975/american-honda-settles- class-action-suit-over-oil-burning-claim. Just went through this issue with my 09 Pilot. Oil leaking into cylinder 3. I just missed the window for the recall. My mechanic has informed me to keep a quart of oil with me at all times and change my spark plugs about every 4th oil change. When I pulled my plugs this last time they were all a bit corroded but the plug in cyl 3 was coverd in oil. This is what was setting off the check engine and the vtm-4 light. Once I changed the plugs I've had no issues.

35 people found this helpful.
240

My 2003 Honda Pilot's Check Engine and VTM-4 lights were on and car vibrated when idle. My mechanics replaced the ignition coils and problem resolved.

24 people found this helpful.
170

I barely made it in under the wire for that lawsuit... Honda dealership kept telling me Oh that's a Honda it always Burns oil! I said no way! Went home and researched it on the computer and found that there was a lawsuit. They were not going to honor it last year because I had over 200,000 miles on the car. I told them that in the lawsuit mileage is not stated at all. Brought a copy of the lawsuit into the dealership and they honored it. Now the vtm and check engine light or back on about a year and 3 months later!

17 people found this helpful.
370

If it helps, my check engine light and vtm4 light was caused by low tranny fluid

37 people found this helpful.
140

Hi my Honda pilot 2013 engine light vtm-4 light com continue not stopping wen go high up road it's slipping tire sounds heavy com

14 people found this helpful.
160

my check engine and VTM4 light on. Bought an inexpensive car computer tester and it indicated the cylinder 1 was misfiring. Replace all spark plugs that had 147,000 miles on them and reset check light by disconnecting and reconnecting negative battery terminal. Everything is working well.

16 people found this helpful.
90

The check engine light is on on my 2007 Honda Pilot. Had it put on machine to see what came up and was told it was the catalytic converter, by more than one person. I was also told that my vehicle has two of them, one in the front and one in back, and that they won’t know which one it is until they look into it. They said to drive it until it gets worse (drags when starting).

9 people found this helpful.
120

My 2015 Honda Pilot's VTM4 and an Oil Can icon just came on. We just got back from a road trip and ran my car through a car wash and then to the grocery store. On the way back from the store, the indicators came on. Made it back to my garage. Started it again and now it is just the check engine light showing. Any ideas? Due to COVID, Auto Zone is not doing diagnostics.

12 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2003 Honda Pilot.... runs perfectly. Yesterday I changed the spark plugs and today the VTM-4 light came on while I was driving in the highway. I didn't stop until I got home. I did not feel any vibration or anything. Question: could it be related to the spark plugs?

1 people found this helpful.

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