What this code means
P1890 may indicate that the CVT speed control system is seeing behavior that does not match expected operation.
What the vehicle may do
- The vehicle may have abnormal CVT operation.
- The vehicle may feel performance-limited.
- The driver may not notice an obvious symptom during a quick check.
Possible fault areas
- Possible CVT speed-control system concern.
- Possible transmission control input concern.
- Possible connector or circuit concern.
- Possible internal transmission concern.
Diagnostic path
Open on what P1890 means
On this 2010 to 2016 Honda CR-V with the 2.4 gas engine, P1890 is a CVT speed control system code. In plain language, the control system may be seeing CVT speed-control behavior that does not line up with what it expects. The vehicle may have abnormal CVT operation, may feel performance-limited, or may not show an obvious symptom during a quick check. Broadly, the possible fault areas can include the CVT speed-control side of the system, transmission control inputs, connector or circuit concerns, or an internal transmission concern. For this code, keep the diagnosis tight: first make sure P1890 is the only code driving the work, then duplicate the failure under the specified driving conditions.
Start with the basic checks and scan for other codes
Before getting into the P1890 drive verification, start with the basic system checks. Turn the vehicle to the ON mode and use the HDS to check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs. If any code other than P1890 is present, do not continue down this P1890 path yet. Check what that other code means first. If P1890 is the only code present, continue to the verification drive.
Duplicate the P1890 failure
Now verify the complaint under controlled conditions. With the vehicle in ON mode, clear the code with the HDS. Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature, meaning the radiator fan comes on twice. Then test-drive in D position or mode on a flat road. Accelerate slowly until vehicle speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h), then hold the vehicle around 37 mph (60 km/h) for at least 60 seconds. While doing that, monitor the OBD STATUS for P1890 in the DTCs menu on the HDS.
Interpret the HDS result
If the HDS shows FAILED for P1890 during that verification drive, the failure has been duplicated. At that point, the diagnostic path calls for replacing the transmission. If the HDS does not show FAILED, treat it as an intermittent failure and the system is OK at this time. If freeze data or an on-board snapshot was recorded for this code, try to reproduce the failure under those same captured conditions instead of guessing.
Takeaway
The key on P1890 is not to overcomplicate the path. Clear the code, warm the vehicle fully, run the specified flat-road drive, and let the HDS OBD status tell you whether the failure is duplicated or intermittent. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
P1890 often depends on duplicating the failure under the specified operating conditions before making the final call.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.
