ACURA RL KA9 1996 Service Repair Manual

DRIVER'S AIRBA GReplacement , pag e 24-16 0
Scrapping , pag e 24-17 2 SR
S INDICATO R LIGH T
Troubleshooting , pag e 24-8 4
CABL E REE LReplacement , pag e 24-17 6
FRON T PASSENGER' S AIRBA G
Replacement , pag e 24-16 0
Scrapping , pag e 24-17 2
Replacement , pag e 24-16 4
Scrapping , pag e 24-17 2
Replacement , pag e 24-16 5
Scrapping , pag e 24-17 2
Replacement , pag e 24-18 3
Replacement , pag e 24-18 1
Replacement , pag e 24-16 4
Scrapping , pag e 24-17 2
Replacement , pag e 24-16 5
Scrapping , pag e 24-17 2
Replacement
, pag e 24-18 3
'99 - 0 1 Model s
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Description

SRS Airbag System - '96 - 98 Models

The SRS is a safety device which, when used in conjunction with the seat belt, is designed to help protect the driver and

front passenger in a frontal impact exceeding a certain set limit. The system consists of the SRS unit (including safing sen-

sor and impact sensor), the cable reel, the driver's airbag, and front passenger's airbag.

Seat Belt Tensioner

The seat belt tensioner is linked with the SRS airbags to further increase the effectiveness of the seat belt. In a front-end

collision, the tensioner instantly retracts the belt firmly to secure the occupants in their seats.

Operation

The main circuit in the SRS unit senses and judges the force of impact and, if necessary, ignites the inflator charges. If battery

voltage is too low or power is disconnected due to the impact, the back-up power circuit will keep voltage at a constant level.

For the SRS to operate:

(1) The impact sensor and safing sensor must activate and send electric signals to the microprocessor.

(2) The microprocessor must compute the signals and send signals to the airbag inflators and seat belt tensioners.

(3) The inflators must ignite and deploy the airbags and activate the tensioners.

Self-diagnosis System

A self-diagnosis circuit is built into the SRS unit; when the ignition switch is turned ON (II), the SRS indicator light comes

on and goes off after about 6 seconds if the system is operating normally.

If the light does not come on, or does not go off after 6 seconds, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates an abnormality

in the system. The system must be inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

For better serviceability, the memory will store the cause of the malfunction, and the data link circuit passes on the infor-

mation from the memory to the data link connector (DLC). This information can be read with the Honda PGM Tester con-

nected to the DLC (16P).ProCarManuals.com

SRS Airba g Syste m - '9 9 - 0 1 Model s
SRS Airba g
The SR S is a safet y devic e which , whe n use d i n conjunctio n wit h th e sea t belt , i s designe d t o hel p protec t th e drive r an d
fron t passenge r i n a fronta l impac t exceedin g a certai n se t limit . Th e syste m consist s o f th e SR S uni t (including safing sen -
so r an d fron t impac t sensor) , th e cabl e reel , th e driver' s airba g an d fron t passenger' s airbag .
Sid e Airbag s
Sid e airbag s locate d i n eac h fron t seat-bac k ca n hel p protec t th e uppe r tors o o f th e drive r o r fron t sea t passenge r during a
moderat e t o sever e sid e impact . Sensor s i n eac h doo r sil l an d i n th e SR S uni t detec t suc h a n impac t an d instantl y inflat e
th e driver' s o r th e passenger' s sid e airbag . Onl y on e sid e airba g wil l deplo y durin g a sid e impact . I f th e impac t i s o n th e
passenger' s side , th e passenger' s sid e airba g wil l deplo y eve n if ther e is n o passenger .
Th e sid e airba g syste m als o include s a n Occupan t Positio n Detectio n Syste m (OPDS) . Thi s syste m consist s o f sensor s an d
a contro l uni t locate d i n th e fron t passenger' s seat-back . Th e contro l uni t send s occupan t heigh t an d positio n dat a t o th e
SR S unit . I f th e SR S uni t determine s tha t th e fron t passenger' s hea d i s i n th e deploymen t pat h o f th e sid e airbag , i t wil l
automaticall y disabl e th e airbag . Whe n th e sid e airba g i s disabled , th e Sid e Airba g indicato r ligh t i n th e gaug e assembl y
alert s th e drive r tha t th e passenger' s sid e airba g wil l no t deplo y i n a sid e impact .
Sea t Bel t Tensione r
Th e sea t bel t tensione r i s linke d wit h th e SR S airbag s t o furthe r increas e th e effectivenes s o f th e sea t belt . I n a front-en d
collision , th e tensione r instantl y retract s th e bel t firml y t o secur e th e occupant s i n thei r seats .
Operatio n
The mai n circui t i n th e SR S uni t sense s an d judge s th e forc e o f impac t and , i f necessary , ignite s th e inflato r charges . I f bat -
ter y voltag e i s to o lo w o r powe r i s disconnecte d du e t o th e impact , th e voltag e regulato r an d th e back-u p powe r circui t
respectivel y wil l kee p voltag e a t a constan t level .
Fo r th e SR S to operate :
Airba g an d Sea t Bel t Tensione r
(1 ) Th e fronta l impac t senso r mus t activate , an d sen d electri c signal s t o th e microprocessor .
(2 ) Th e microprocesso r mus t comput e th e signals , an d dependin g o n th e severit y o f th e collisio n an d whethe r th e sea t
bel t buckl e switc h i s O N o r OFF , i t send s th e appropriat e signal s t o th e airba g inflator s an d sea t bel t tensioners .
(3 ) Th e inflator s tha t receive d signal s mus t ignit e an d deplo y th e units .
Sid e Airba g
(1 ) Th e sid e impac t sensor s mus t activate , an d sen d electri c signal s t o th e microprocessor .
(2 ) Th e microprocesso r mus t comput e th e signal s an d sen d the m to th e sid e airba g inflators . Howeve r th e microproces -
so r cut s of f th e signal s t o th e fron t passenger' s sid e airba g i f th e SR S uni t determine s tha t th e fron t passenger' s hea d
i s i n th e deploymen t pat h o f th e sid e airbag .
(3 ) Th e inflato r tha t receive d th e signa l mus t ignit e an d deplo y th e sid e airbag .
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Description
SRS Airba g Syste m - '9 9 - 0 1 Model s (cont'd )
Self-diagnosi s Syste m
A self-diagnosi s circui t i s buil t int o th e SR S unit ; whe n th e ignitio n switc h i s turne d O N (II) , th e SR S indicato r ligh t come s
o n an d goe s of f afte r abou t 6 second s i f th e syste m is operatin g normally .
I f th e ligh t doe s no t com e on , o r doe s no t g o of f afte r 6 seconds , o r i f i t come s o n whil e driving , i t indicate s a n abnormalit y
i n th e system . Th e syste m mus t b e inspecte d an d repaire d a s soo n a s possible .
Fo r bette r serviceability , th e SR S uni t memor y store s th e caus e o f th e malfunction , an d th e uni t i s connecte d t o th e dat a
lin k connecto r (DLC) . Thi s informatio n ca n b e rea d wit h th e Hond a PG M Teste r whe n it i s connecte d to th e DL C (16P) .
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Precautions/Procedures
General Precaution s
• Carefull y inspec t an y SR S par t befor e yo u instal l it . D o
no t instal l an y par t tha t show s sign s o f bein g droppe d
o r improperl y handled , suc h a s dents , crack s o r defor -
mation :
Airbag s (fronta l airbag s an d sid e airbags )
Cabl e ree l
SRS uni t
Sea t bel t tensioner s
• Us e onl y a digita l multimete r t o chec k th e system . I f
it' s no t a Hond a multimeter , mak e sur e it s outpu t i s
1 0 m A (0.0 1 A ) o r les s whe n switche d t o th e smalles t
valu e i n th e ohmmete r range . A teste r wit h a highe r
output coul d damag e th e airba g circui t o r caus e acci -
denta l deploymen t an d possibl e injury .
• D o no t instal l use d SR S part s fro m anothe r vehicle .
Whe n makin g SR S repairs , us e onl y ne w parts .
• Excep t whe n performin g electrica l inspections ,
alway s disconnec t bot h th e negativ e cabl e an d posi -
tive cabl e fro m th e battery , an d wai t a t leas t 3 min -
utes befor e beginnin g work .
• Replacemen t o f th e combinatio n ligh t an d wiper /
washe r switche s an d cruis e contro l switc h ca n b e
don e withou t removin g th e steerin g wheel :
For combinatio n ligh t an d wiper/washe r switc h
replacement , se e sectio n 23 .
Fo r cruis e contro l set/resume/cance l switc h
replacement , se e sectio n 4 .
• Wheneve r th e ignitio n switc h is O N (II) , o r ha s bee n
turne d OF F fo r les s tha n 3 minutes , b e carefu l no t t o
bum p th e SR S unit ; th e airbag s coul d accidentall y
deplo y an d caus e damag e o r injury .
• Wheneve r th e airbag s hav e bee n activated , replac e
th e sea t bel t tensioner s an d th e SR S unit .
• Th e origina l radi o ha s a code d thef t protectio n circuit .
B e sur e to ge t th e customer' s cod e numbe r befor e dis -
connectin g th e batter y cables .
• Th e PC M memor y mus t b e rese t afte r reconnectin g th e
batter y (se e pag e 11-125 ).
Airba g Handlin g an d Storag e
Do no t tr y t o disassembl e an y o f th e airbags , fronta l o r
side . The y hav e n o serviceabl e parts . Onc e a n airba g
ha s bee n operate d (deployed) , i t canno t b e repaire d o r
reused .
For temporar y storag e o f a n airba g durin g service ,
please observ e th e followin g precautions :
• Stor e a remove d airba g wit h th e pa d surfac e u p an d a
remove d sid e airba g wit h th e cautio n labe l surfac e up .
Al l airba g connector s hav e a built-i n shor t contac t (se e
page 24-30 ).
If a n airba g is improperl y store d fac e down ,
accidenta l deploymen t coul d prope l th e uni t wit h enoug h
forc e to caus e seriou s injury .
AIRBA G CONNECTOR S(With built-i n shor t contact )
• Stor e a remove d airba g o n a secur e fla t surfac e
awa y fro m an y hig h hea t sourc e (exceedin g
200°F/93°C ) an d fre e o f an y oil , grease , detergen t o r
water .
CAUTION : Imprope r handlin g o r storag e ca n internall y
damag e a n airbag , makin g it inoperative .
K yo u suspec t a n airba g ha s bee n damaged , instal l a ne w
unit , an d refe r t o th e Deployment/Disposa l Procedure s fo r
disposin g o f th e damage d airbag .
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Seat Bel t Tensione r Handlin g an d
Storag e
Do no t tr y t o disassembl e th e sea t bel t tensione r assem -
bly . I t ha s n o serviceabl e parts . Onc e a sea t bel t tensione r
ha s bee n activated , i t canno t b e repaire d o r reused .
SEAT BEL T TENSIONE R
CONNECTO R
(Wit h built-i n shor t contact )
RETRACTO R
DRIVER'S SIDE : LEF T SID E WIR E HARNES S 2 P CONNECTO R
FRON T PASSENGER' S SIDE : RIGH T SID E WIR E HARNES S
2 P CONNECTO R
• Stor e th e remove d sea t bel t tensione r assembl y o n a
secur e fla t surfac e awa y fro m an y hig h hea t sourc e
(exceedin g 212°F/100°C ) an d fre e o f an y oil , grease ,
detergen t o r water .
• Follo w thes e precaution s belo w during remova l o f a
tensioner .
Befor e yo u remov e th e sea t bel t tensioner , discon -
nec t th e sea t bel t tensione r connector s (wit h built -
i n shor t contact) .
Us e onl y th e tes t equipmen t specifie d i n th e Elec -
trica l section .
D o no t disassembl e th e tensione r o r allo w an y
impac t t o it .
Fo r prope r disposa l se e pag e 24-168 , 24-172 .
SRS Uni t - '9 6 - 0 1 model s an d Sid e
Impac t Senso r - '9 9 - 0 1 model s
• Tak e extr a car e whe n paintin g o r doin g bod y wor k i n
th e are a belo w th e dashboard . Avoi d direc t exposur e
of th e SR S uni t o r wirin g t o hea t guns , welding , o r
sprayin g equipment .
• Disconnec t th e airba g o r sid e airba g connector(s )
befor e disconnectin g SR S harnes s connector s (se e
pag e 24-31 , 24-32 ).
• Afte r a collisio n i n whic h th e airbag s wer e deployed ,
replac e th e SR S unit . Afte r a collisio n i n whic h th e
sid e airba g wa s deployed , replac e th e sid e impac t
senso r o n th e sid e wher e th e sid e airba g deploye d
an d SR S unit . Afte r a collisio n i n whic h th e airbag s o r
th e sid e airbag s di d no t deploy , inspec t fo r an y dam -
ag e o r an y deformatio n o n th e SR S uni t an d th e sid e
impac t sensor . I f ther e i s an y damage , replac e th e
SR S uni t and/o r th e sid e impac t sensor .
• D o no t disassembl e th e SR S uni t o r th e sid e impac t
sensor .
• Tur n th e ignitio n switc h OFF , disconnec t th e batter y
negativ e cabl e an d wai t a t leas t 3 minute s befor e
beginnin g installatio n o r replacemen t o f th e SR S unit ,
an d disconnec t th e connector s fro m th e SR S unit .
• B e sur e th e SR S uni t an d sid e impac t senso r ar e
installe d securely .
• D o no t spil l wate r o r oi l o n th e SR S uni t an d sid e
impac t sensor , an d kee p the m awa y fro m dust .
• Stor e th e SR S uni t an d sid e impac t senso r i n a coo l
(les s tha n 40°C/104°F ) an d dr y (les s tha n 80 % relativ e
humidity , n o moisture ) area .
• B e carefu l no t t o bum p o r impac t th e SR S uni t an d
sid e impac t senso r wheneve r th e ignitio n switc h i s
ON (II ) o r withi n th e firs t 3 minute s afte r th e ignitio n
switch i s turne d OFF .
• Durin g installatio n o r replacement , b e carefu l no t t o
bum p (b y impac t wrench , hammer , etc. ) th e are a
aroun d th e SR S uni t an d sid e impac t sensor . Th e
airbag s an d sid e airbag s coul d accidentall y deplo y
an d caus e damag e o r injury .
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2. To reinstall the connector, push it into position until

it clicks, then close its lid.
Precautions/Procedures

Inspection After Deployment

After a collision in which the airbags were deployed,

replace the deployed parts (airbag, seat belt tensioner

and side airbag), the SRS unit, the side impact sensor on

the side which deployed, and any related parts, and

inspect the following:

1. Inspect all the SRS wire harnesses. Replace, don't

repair, any damaged harnesses.

2. Inspect the cable reel for heat damage. If there is any

damage, replace the cable reel.

3. After the vehicle is completely repaired, turn the igni-

tion switch on. If the SRS indicator light comes on

for about 6 seconds and then goes off, the SRS sys-

tem is OK. If the indicator light does not function

properly, go to SRS Troubleshooting.

Disconnecting the SRS Connector

at the Fuse Box - '96 - 98 Models

CAUTION: Avoid breaking the connector; it's double-

locked.

1. First lift the connector lid with a thin screwdriver,

then press the connector tab down and pull the con-

nector out.
Wiring Precautions

• Never attempt to modify, splice or repair SRS wiring.

NOTE: SRS wiring harnesses are indicated by yellow

color.

• Be sure to install the harness wires so that they are not

pinched or interfering with other parts.

• Make sure all SRS ground locations are clean and

grounds are securely fastened for optimum metal-to-

metal contact. Poor grounding can cause intermittent

problems that are difficult to diagnose.ProCarManuals.com

Side Airbag Connector:

Disconnecting

To release the lock, pull the slider and the spring-loaded

sleeve while holding the opposite half of the connector.

Then pull the connector halves apart. Be sure to pull on

the sleeve and not on the connector half.
Spring-loaded Lock Connector

Some SRS system connectors have a spring-loaded lock.

Frontal Airbags and Seat Belt Tensioners:

Disconnecting

To release the lock, pull the spring-loaded sleeve toward

the stop while holding the opposite half of the connector.

Then pull the connector halves apart.

NOTE: Be sure to pull on the sleeve and not on the

connector half. SPRING-LOADED

SLEEVE

Connecting

1. Hold the pawl-side connector half, and press on the

back of the sleeve-side connector half in the direction

shown. As the two connector halves are pressed

together, the sleeve is pushed back by the pawl.

NOTE: Do not touch the sleeve.

2. When the connector halves are completely connected,

the pawl is released, and the spring-loaded sleeve

locks the connector.

SPRING-LOADED

SLEEVE
Connecting

Hold the both connector halves, and press them forcibly

until the projection of the sleeve-side connector clicks to

lock.ProCarManuals.com

Precautions/Procedures
Spring-loaded Loc k Connecto r wit h
Built-i n Shor t Contac t
Both fronta l airbags , th e sid e airbag s (i f s o equipped) ,
an d th e sea t bel t tensioner s hav e a spring-loade d loc k
connecto r wit h a built-i n shor t contact . Whe n thi s con -
necto r i s disconnected , th e powe r termina l an d th e
groun d termina l i n th e airba g connecto r ar e automati -
call y shorted .
Seats wit h Sid e Airbag s -
'9 9 - 0 1 Model s
• Seat s wit h sid e airbag s hav e a ta g attache d t o th e
seat-back . Becaus e th e componen t part s (seat-bac k
cover , cushion , etc. ) o f seat s wit h an d withou t airbag s
ar e different , mak e sur e yo u instal l onl y th e correc t
replacemen t parts .
• Whe n cleaning , d o no t saturat e th e sea t wit h liquid ,
and d o no t spra y stea m o n th e seat .
• D o no t repai r tor n o r fraye d seat-bac k covers . Replac e
th e seat-bac k cover .
• Afte r a collisio n i n whic h th e sid e airba g wa s
deployed , replac e th e seat-bac k cove r an d th e sid e
airba g wit h ne w parts . I f th e seat-bac k cushio n i s
split , i t mus t b e replaced . I f th e seat-bac k fram e i s
deformed , i t mus t b e replaced . I f yo u ar e no t sur e i f
th e seat-bac k fram e i s deformed , chec k th e sid e
airba g uppe r moun t bas e a s show n below . I f th e dis -
tanc e "a " i s mor e tha n 2 4 mm , replac e th e seat-bac k
frame .
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Backprobing Spring-loade d Loc k
Connector s
• Whe n checkin g voltag e o r resistanc e o n thi s typ e o f
connecto r th e firs t time , i t i s necessar y t o remov e th e
retaine r t o inser t teste r probe s fro m th e wir e side .
NOTE : I t i s no t necessar y t o reinstal l th e remove d
retainer ; th e terminal s wil l sta y locke d i n th e connec -
to r housing .
Disconnectin g th e Airba g
Connector s an d Sea t Bel t
Tensione r Connector s
'9 6 - 9 8 Model s
Before removin g a n airba g o r othe r SR S relate d device s
(th e SR S uni t an d th e cabl e reel) , disconnectin g connec -
tor s fro m SR S relate d devices , o r removin g th e dash -
boar d o r th e steerin g column , disconnec t th e airba g
connector s t o preven t accidenta l deployment .
Tur n th e ignitio n switc h OF F an d disconnec t th e nega -
tiv e cabl e fro m th e battery , an d wai t a t leas t 3 minute s
befor e beginnin g th e followin g procedures .
• Befor e disconnectin g th e SR S mai n harnes s 18 P con -
necto r (A ) fro m th e SR S unit , disconnec t bot h airba g
2P connector s (C , D ) an d bot h sea t bel t tensione r 2 P
connector s (F , H) .
• Befor e disconnectin g th e cabl e ree l 2 P connecto r (B) ,
disconnec t th e driver' s airba g 2 P connecto r (C) .
• Befor e disconnectin g th e lef t sid e wir e harnes s 2 P
connecto r (E) , disconnec t th e driver' s sea t bel t ten -
sione r 2 P connector . (F) .
• Befor e disconnectin g th e righ t sid e wir e harnes s 2 P
connecto r (G) , disconnec t th e fron t passenge r sea t
bel t tensione r 2 P connecto r (H) .
Refe r t o pag e 24-3 3 fo r th e disconnec t th e connector(s) .
•
T o remov e th e retainer , inser t a fla t ti p screwdrive r
betwee n connecto r bod y an d retainer , an d carefull y
pr y ou t th e retainer .
NOTE : Tak e car e no t t o brea k th e connector .
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