What this code means
P0842 may indicate that the PCM is seeing a low signal from the CVT driven pulley pressure sensor circuit.
What the vehicle may do
- The vehicle may set a transmission-related warning or malfunction indicator.
- CVT operation may feel abnormal depending on how the system responds.
- The condition can be intermittent if the circuit fault is not present during testing.
Possible fault areas
- Possible sensor signal circuit issue.
- Possible sensor power feed issue.
- Possible driven pulley pressure sensor issue.
- Possible PCM software or PCM-related issue.
Diagnostic path
Open on what P0842 is really pointing at
On this CR-V, P0842 is a low-signal fault for the CVT driven pulley pressure sensor circuit. In plain terms, the PCM is seeing the driven pulley pressure sensor voltage pulled too low. The driver may notice abnormal CVT operation or warning lights, but for diagnosis, keep this focused on the electrical side of the sensor circuit. The possible fault areas are the sensor signal circuit, the sensor power feed, the sensor itself, PCM software, or the PCM. Before diving in, start with the basic system checks. Also, do not chase this as an internal mechanical transmission failure; this code is caused by an electrical circuit problem.
First, duplicate the fault with the scan tool
Start by turning the vehicle to ON mode. Clear the DTC with the HDS, then watch the Driven Pulley Pressure Sensor(V) parameter. The fault is duplicated if that value is less than 0.21 V. If it is less than 0.21 V, keep going into the circuit split test. If it is not less than 0.21 V, treat it as intermittent for now. At that point, the system is OK at this time, so focus on an intermittent short to ground in the PDN wire between the CVT driven pulley pressure sensor and the PCM. If captured operating data is available, try to reproduce the same conditions.
Use the disconnected sensor check to split the circuit path
Next, turn the vehicle to OFF (LOCK) mode and disconnect the CVT driven pulley pressure sensor 3P connector. Turn the vehicle back to ON mode and check the Driven Pulley Pressure Sensor(V) parameter again with the HDS. If it is still less than 0.21 V with the sensor disconnected, continue to the PDN short-to-ground check. If it is no longer less than 0.21 V, move to the VCC2 power feed check.
Check the PDN signal wire for a short to ground
For the PDN line check, turn the vehicle to OFF (LOCK) mode. Jump the SCS line with the HDS, and wait more than 1 minute. Then disconnect PCM connector C, the 51P connector. With the vehicle still in OFF (LOCK) mode, the driven pulley pressure sensor 3P connector disconnected, and PCM connector C disconnected, check continuity between CVT driven pulley pressure sensor 3P connector No. 2 and body ground. If there is continuity, repair the short to body ground in the PDN wire between the sensor and the PCM. If there is no continuity, the PDN wire is OK. At that point, update the PCM if it does not have the latest software, or substitute a known-good PCM, then recheck. If P0842 goes away after a PCM update, that completes that path. If P0842 goes away with a substituted PCM, replace the original PCM.
If the sensor-disconnected check pointed away from PDN, check VCC2
If the earlier sensor-disconnected check sent you to the VCC2 side, measure voltage between CVT driven pulley pressure sensor 3P connector No. 3 and body ground. Do this with the vehicle in ON mode and the sensor connector disconnected. You are looking for about 5 V. If about 5 V is present, the VCC2 wire is OK, and the diagnostic path calls for replacing the CVT driven pulley pressure sensor. If about 5 V is not present, repair the open in the VCC2 wire between the sensor and the PCM.
Verify the result separately from the circuit testing
After the repair path is completed, go back to the same basic confirmation mindset: clear the code, watch the Driven Pulley Pressure Sensor(V) parameter, and make sure the low-voltage condition does not come right back under the conditions you are checking. The key takeaway is to prove whether the low reading stays with the wiring and PCM side or changes when the sensor is unplugged, then follow that split without guessing. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
This code is often handled as an electrical circuit diagnosis, not as a mechanical transmission diagnosis.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.
