What this code means
P0842 may mean the ICM is seeing a transmission fluid pressure sensor signal that is lower than expected.
What the vehicle may do
- The vehicle may turn on a warning light.
- Transmission operation may feel abnormal.
- The vehicle can limit operation depending on how the fault is handled.
Possible fault areas
- Possible pressure sensor circuit issue
- Possible sensor feed circuit issue
- Possible signal circuit short
- Possible connector or wiring concern
- Possible ICM-related fault after circuit checks pass
Diagnostic path
Opening and code meaning
On this 2020 to 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, P0842 is a transmission fluid pressure sensor circuit low fault in the ICM system. In plain terms, the control module may be seeing the pressure sensor signal lower than expected. The vehicle may have abnormal transmission operation, a warning light, or limited operation depending on how the fault is handled. Broadly, this can involve the pressure sensor circuit, the sensor feed, a shorted signal circuit, connector or wiring issues, and, after the circuit checks pass, a possible ICM fault. Start with the basic system checks and follow a structured diagnostic approach before getting into the pinpoint tests.
Confirm the fault
To duplicate the fault, turn the vehicle to ON mode and look at the HDS data for Oil Pressure Sensor 1 Voltage. If that value is 0.25 V or less, the failure is duplicated. That matches the logic for this code: when the transmission fluid pressure sensor output voltage is lower than the specified value, the ICM judges it as abnormal and stores P0842.
Check the pressure sensor circuit output
Next, move into the transmission fluid pressure sensor inspection. Disconnect the transmission fluid pressure sensor 3P connector. With IG Mode ON, check the specified female terminals at the disconnected connector. There is no direct standalone test for the sensor itself in this path, so the diagnosis works through the related circuit checks. For the unit output voltage inspection, the normal condition is About 5 V on both listed checks. If this inspection is normal, the diagnostic call is a problem with the transmission fluid pressure sensor. If it is abnormal, continue treating it as a related component or circuit problem.
Check VCC2 for an open
If the path points away from the sensor inspection, check the VCC2 circuit for an open. Disconnect the transmission fluid pressure sensor 3P connector and ICM connector A, the 28P connector. With IG Mode OFF, measure the specified circuit between the disconnected connector terminals. The normal condition for the VCC2 open wire inspection is less than 1 Ω. If that result is abnormal, the problem is in the circuit.
Check PODCL1 for a short to ground
Next, set up the PODCL1 shorted wire inspection. Disconnect the transmission fluid pressure sensor 3P connector and ICM connector P, the 36P connector. Use the open and short checking method appropriate for that circuit, then perform the PODCL1 short-to-ground inspection with IG Mode OFF at the disconnected transmission fluid pressure sensor connector. The normal condition is more than 1 MΩ. If it is abnormal, the problem is in the circuit.
ICM decision point and takeaway
If the other inspection items all show normal conditions, the remaining diagnostic conclusion is that there is a problem with the ICM. The takeaway is simple: confirm the low sensor voltage first, then work the path in order—sensor circuit output, VCC2 open check, PODCL1 short-to-ground check, and only then the ICM conclusion. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
Confirm the low signal first, then isolate the sensor circuit, wiring, and ICM decision point in order.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.
