December 2014

iNFormation
Enhanced TechLine Pages
The TechLine pages on iN have been recently
enhanced to include even more technical
resources than ever. The home page is now a
three panel screen that features the latest Honda
Service Campaign information in addition to other
timely content. Other noteworthy changes include
new sections added to the Diagnostic ToolsMCS
home page, including information on submitting
MCS snap-shots, where to get MCS training, and
a section for the Midtronics Battery Tester. You’re
bound to find some tasty knowledge nuggets, so
be sure to browse around the updated TechLine
pages soon.

Update Your MCS
Software and MCI Tester
The latest software update (MCS_2.008) for the
MCS diagnostic tool was released on October 31,
2014. Make sure your MCS software and the MCI
(diagnostic tool) are up to date for the latest models. Download the software update to your service
department laptop PC from iN by following this
path:

will move from “half-full” to “empty” a little more
quickly. This is generally accepted as normal performance for a fuel level gauge.
As with any motor vehicle, customer experiences
with fuel tank range will vary depending upon
many factors, including altitude, temperature, driving style, and engine maintenance condition
among others. As a result some customers may
get more mileage from a tank of fuel than others.
As with all Honda products, the Owner’s Manual
is the best place to start when learning the capabilities of any vehicle’s fuel level monitoring system. After that, each customer will need to ride a
few tanks full of fuel through their vehicle to get a
feel for what kind of actual fuel range they can
expect from their vehicle and driving style.
If there is a customer complaint about fuel gauge
performance, first establish that the customer has
read the Owner’s Manual and has ridden several
tanks full of fuel before entertaining any diagnostic
or repair procedures. If after performing the fuel
level sensor and fuel meter inspections outlined in
the appropriate Service Manual you conclude that
there is a problem, just replace the necessary
part(s). Do not perform any “adjustments” to the
fuel level system as this will inhibit an accurate
factory evaluation of the replaced parts later on.

iN > Service > TechLine > Diagnostic Tools > MCS >
Software Download

All Models
Reading the Fuel Gauge
Many Honda powersports products are equipped
with some form of fuel level monitoring system.
Depending upon the application, some systems
are more sophisticated than others, with some of
the more advanced systems able to calculate and
display the estimated mileage until empty. Due to
many design factors some fuel gauges will appear
to move slowly from “full” to “half-full” and then

On-Road
NSS300/A

Rear Spoiler Cover
Removal
If you’ve ever had to remove the rear spoiler cover
on the Forza (such as during the fuel pump recall),
you know that it can be tricky to do so without
breaking any of the tabs or snap clips. Here is a
way to do it that minimizes the risk of breakage.
1. First, using the procedure in the Service Manual, remove both side body covers.

2. Note that there are four snap clips and six
tabs that hold the rear spoiler cover to the luggage box as shown.
SNAP CLIPS (4):

TABS (6):

TRX and SXS
2014 and Later Multi-function
Display Equipped Models

Gear Position Indicator
Some dealers and customers have been confused
about the appearance of the word GEAR, located
just above the gear position indicator.
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR

Lift up at the right front edge of the spoiler
cover as shown until the snap clip releases.
Next, pull out on the right edge of the cover
until the three tabs are clear of the hooks.
1:

2:

The word GEAR is constantly illuminated by the
LCD display back light, however it only appears to
be illuminated after dark, giving some folks the
impression that it is a malfunction indicator. This is
a normal function of the display; the signal word
GEAR is permanently displayed and lit up to highlight the gear position indicator directly below.

The Tool Chest

3. Repeat the above process on the left side.
4. Last, pull up on the spoiler cover with both
hands as shown until the remaining two snap
clips release.

AquaTrax Service Dollies
If your dealership is busy replacing recalled
ARX1200 fuel tanks, you may be in need of an additional service dolly. Make sure you shop the Honda
Tool and Equipment Program catalog first as there
are several different AquaCart brand service carts
to choose from. All products are Honda approved
and pricing and terms are competitive with other
suppliers. Log on to iN and follow this path:
Service > Tools > Tool and Equipment Program > Lifting Equipment > Personal Watercraft Handling
Equipment

THE WRENCH
©2014 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved. Published by: AHM Motorcycle Service Communications, 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501.
All suggestions become the property of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Sending a suggestion gives American Honda permission to publish it without further
consideration. *The information in this article is for authorized Honda PWC or MUV dealers only (applicable only if a PWC or MUV article is included in the issue).
Editor: Robert Heilbron

E-mail The Wrench at [email protected]

MSN 15260 (1411)