check engine light Acura Integra 2001 User Guide

Ai
r Conditionin g Syste m

Optional for Canadian Type-R model

Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.

The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.

Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at asteady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 254.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E
NOTIC E

AI
R CONDITIONIN G
CONDENSE R

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying tostart. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Your car has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 72 ).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer systemindicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly. Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor or thestarter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jum p Startin g on page 233. Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignitionswitch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Emergenc y Towin g on page 248.)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 189 ). You can
then try jump starting the car from
a booster battery (see page 233 ).
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Start , Jum p Startin g
Th e Starte r Operate s Normall y
In this case, the starter motor's speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Startin g th e
Engin e on page 137. Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank. There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 243).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 248. Jum
p Startin g
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start an Acura with anautomatic transmission by pushingor pulling it.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.

Jum
p Startin g
To jump start your car, follow these directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 191 ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushy or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral orPark and set the parking brake. 3. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal on your
Acura's battery. Connect the other end to the positive (+) terminalon the booster battery. 4. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative (—) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect theother end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of the engine.
5. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, have an assistant startthat vehicle and run it at a fast idle.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressuredropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressureand serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 127). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 173). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 248.)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
LO
W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R
NOTIC
E

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Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130Additional Safety Precaution.... 131
Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 175
Airbag (SRS)............................... 9, 45Ai
r Cleane
r Element...................... 188
Air Conditioning System................. 94
Maintenance............................... 196Usage............................................. 94
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 198
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 258
Antifreeze....................................... 178 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator................................ 55

, 148

Operation.................................... 14
6
Anti-theft Steering Column

Lock............................................... 74

Appearance Care........................... 217

Ashtrays............................................ 91

Audio System................................. 102
Automatic Speed Control................ 67
Automatic Transmission............... 140

Capacity, Fluid........................... 255

Checking Fluid Level................ 183
Shifting........................................ 140
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 140
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55,

239

Jump Starting............................
. 233
Maintenance............................... 191
Specifications............................. 255
Before Driving............................... 121
Belts, Seat.................................... 8, 42
Beverage Holder.............................. 89
Body Repair.................................... 224
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 146
Break-in, New Linings.............. 123
Bulb Replacement..................... 212

Fluid............................................ 185
Parking.......................................... 87
System Indicator................. 54,

241

Wear Indicators........................
. 145
Braking System.............................. 145
Break-in, New Car......................... 123
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63
Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 212
Brake Lights............................... 212 Cargo Area Light....................... 215
Ceiling Light............................... 215
Front Parking Lights................. 210
Front Side Marker Lights......... 210
Headlights.................................. 209
High-mount Brake Light.......... 211
License Plate Light.................... 214
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 212

Specifications............................. 255

Spotlights.................................... 215

Turn Signal Lights..................... 210
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 209
CONTINUED

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Capacities Chart.................... 254, 255
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49

Cargo Area Cover............................ 83

Carrying Cargo.............................. 132

Cassette Player
Care............................................. 118

Operation.................................... 115

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii

CD Changer.................................... 111
CD Player........................................ 109

Certification Label......................... 252

Chains............................................. 204

Changing Oil
How to......................................... 175

When to....................................... 162

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 227

Changing Engine Coolant............. 180
Charging System Indicator.... 55, 239
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Child Safety...................................... 21

Child Seats........................................ 26

Tether Anchorage Points........... 41
Cleaner Element, Air..................... 188
Cleaning

Aluminum Wheels..................... 219

Antenna....................................... 218Carpeting.................................... 220

Exterior....................................... 218

Fabric.......................................... 221

Interior........................................ 220

Leather........................................ 221
Seat Belts.................................... 221

Vinyl............................................221

Windows..................................... 222

Clock, Setting the............................ 88

Clutch Fluid.................................... 185

Code, Audio System...................... 119
CO in the Exhaust......................... 260 Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137
Compact Spare............................... 226
Console Compartment.................... 90
Consumer Information*................ 266
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding......................................... 178
Checking..................................... 128
Proper Solution.......................... 178
Replacing.................................... 180
Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 223

Crankcase Emissions Control

System......................................... 260

Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 266
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard.................................... 2, 52

Daytime Running Lights................. 62
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 269
Defog and Defrost......................... 100
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
Dimensions..................................... 254 Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 183

Engine Oil................................... 127

Directional Signals........................... 63
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 145
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 177
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 75
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 256

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Fuel.................................................. 123
Fill Door and Cap....................... 124

Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 123

Oxygenated................................ 258

Reserve Indicator......................... 54

Tank, Filling the......................... 124

Fuses, Checking the...................... 243

Gas Mileage, Improving................ 129
Gasohol........................................... 258

Gasoline.......................................... 123
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 54
Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 123

Tank, Filling the......................... 124

Gas Station Procedures................. 124
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature.... 59

Fuel................................................ 59
Speedometer................................ 58

Tachometer.................................. 58

Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission........... 140
5-speed Manual

Transmission.......................... 138

Glass Cleaning............................... 222

Glove Box......................................... 78

Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 209

Hatch................................................. 76
Opening the.................................. 76

Open Monitor Light.................... 56

Hazard Warning Flashers............... 65

Headlights
Aiming......................................... 207

Daytime Running Lights............. 62High Beam Indicator................... 57
Reminder Chime.......................... 62
Replacing Halogen Bulbs......... 209

Turning on....................................
62

Head Restraints..............................
. 82

Heating and Cooling........................ 94
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 137
High-Low Beam Switch.................. 62
High-mount Brake Light............... 211

Hood Latch..................................... 189

Hood, Opening the........................ 125
Horn................................................... 61

Hydraulic Clutch............................ 186
Hydroplaning.................................. 150

Identification Number, Vehicle.... 252

Ignition Keys............................................... 71

Switch............................................ 73

Timing Control System............. 261
Immobilizer System......................... 72
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicators, Instrument
Panel.............................................. 53

Infant Restraint................................ 21

Infant Seats....................................... 30
Tether Anchorage Points........... 41
Inflation, Proper Tire.................... 198
Inside Mirror.................................... 86
Inspection, Tire.............................. 199 Instrument Panel......................... 2, 52
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 63
Interior Cleaning............................ 220
Interior Lights.................................. 92
Introduction......................................... i

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Oil Change, How to......................... 175

Change, When to....................... 164

Checking Engine....................... 127
Pressure Indicator.............. 55, 238
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 174
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 74

Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery..................................... 261

Operation in Foreign Countries... 259
Outside Mirrors............................... 86
Overheating, Engine..................... 236

Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 258
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171

Paint Touch-up...............................219

Panel Brightness Control............... 63

Park Gear Position......................... 141
Parking............................................ 144

Parking Brake.................................. 87

Parking Lights.................................. 62

Parking Over Things that Burn... 144
PGM-FI System..............................
261

Polishing an
d Waxing................... 219

Pre-Drive Safety Checklist.............

11

Pregnancy, Usin
g Seat Belts.......... 19

Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19
Protecting Children......................... 21
Protecting Infants........................ 30
Protecting Larger Children........

38

Protecting Smal
l Children.......... 34
Using Child Seats with Tethers...................................... 41
Radiator Overheating.................... 236
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 102
Readiness Codes............................ 263
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 212
Rear Seat Access............................. 81
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 83
Rear View Mirror............................. 86
Rear Window Defogger.................. 65
Rear Window Washer..................... 65
Rear Window Wiper........................ 65
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 79 Recommended Shift Speeds........ 139
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Replacement Information
Air Cleaner Element.................. 188
Coolant........................................ 180
Engine Oil and Filter................. 175
Fuses........................................... 243
Light Bulbs................................. 209
Schedule..................................... 164
Spark Plugs................................. 189
Timing Belt................................. 197

Tires............................................ 202

Wiper Blades.............................. 194
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 43

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 178

Restraint, Child................................ 21

Reverse Gear Position................... 141

Rotation, Tire................................. 201

Safety Belts...................................8, 42
Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................9
Door Locks................................... 10