ACURA RL KA9 1996 Service Repair Manual

Airbag
Replacemen t
Store a remove d airba g wit h th e pa d sur -
fac e up . I f th e airba g i s 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 .
CAUTION :
• D o no t instal l use d SR S part s fro m anothe r vehicle .
Whe n repairing , us e onl y ne w SR S parts .
• Carefull y inspec t th e airba g befor e yo u instal l it . D o
no t instal l a n airba g 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 deformation .
• Alway s disconnec t th e airba g connector(s ) whe n th e
harnes s is disconnected .
• D o no t disassembl e o r tampe r wit h th e airbag .
1 . Mak e sur e yo u hav e th e anti-thef t cod e fo r th e
radio , the n writ e dow n th e frequencie s fo r th e
radio' s prese t buttons .
2 . Disconnec t th e batter y negativ e cable , the n discon -
nec t th e positiv e cabl e fro m th e battery , an d wai t a t
leas t 3 minutes .
3 . Disconnec t th e airba g connector(s) :
Driver' s Airbag :
• Remov e th e acces s pane l fro m th e steerin g wheel ,
the n disconnec t th e 2 P connecto r betwee n th e driv -
er' s airba g an d cabl e reel .
'9 6 - 9 8 Model s Fron
t Passenger' s Airbag :
• Remov e th e glov e bo x (se e sectio n 20 ).
• Disconnec t th e 2 P ('9 6 - 9 8 Models ) o r 4 P ('9 9 - 0 1
Models ) connecto r betwee n th e fron t passenger' s
airba g an d SR S mai n harness .
NOTE : Whe n disconnected , th e airba g connecto r i s
automaticall y shorted .
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4. Remove the airbag(s):

Driver's Side:

• Remove the two Torx bolts using a Torx T30 bit, then

remove the driver's airbag.

'96 - 98 Models
Front Passenger's Side:

• Remove the two mounting nuts from the bracket.

• Lift the front passenger's airbag out of the dashboard

by covering the lid and dashboard with a cloth, and

prying carefully with a flat-tip screwdriver.

NOTE: The lid of the airbag has pawls on its side which

attach it to the dashboard.

'99 - 01 ModelsProCarManuals.com

Airbag

Replacement (cont'd)

CAUTION: Be sure to install the SRS wiring so that it is

not pinched or interfering with other parts.

5. Install new airbag(s):

Driver's Side: Place the driver's airbag in the steering

wheel, and secure it with new Torx bolts.

'96-98 Models
Front Passenger's Side:

• Place the front passenger's airbag in the dashboard.

• Tighten the front passenger's airbag mounting nuts.

'99 - 01 ModelsProCarManuals.com

6. Reconnect the airbag connector(s):

Front Passenger's Airbag:

• Connect the front passenger's airbag connector to

the SRS main harness connector, then install the

glove box.
Driver's Side:

• Connect the driver's airbag 2P connector to the cable

reel 2P connector, then install the access panel on the

steering wheel.

'96 - 98 Models

7. Reconnect the battery positive cable, then connect

the negative cable.

8. After installing the airbag, confirm proper system

operation:

• Turn the ignition switch ON (II); the SRS indica-

tor light should come on for about 6 seconds and

then go off.

• Make sure horn button works.

• Take a test drive, and make sure the cruise con-

trol switches work.

9. Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, then enter the

customer's radio station presets.
'99 - 01 ModelsProCarManuals.com

Side Airba g
Replacemen t
Store a remove d airba g wit h th e pa d sur -
face u p an d remove d sid e airba g wit h th e cautio n labe l
surfac e up . I f th e sid e airba g i s 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 .
CAUTION :
• D o no t instal l use d SR S part s fro m anothe r vehicle .
Whe n repairing , us e onl y ne w SR S parts .
• Carefull y inspec t th e sid e airba g befor e yo u instal l it .
D o no t instal l a sid e airba g 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 deformation .
• Alway s disconnec t th e sid e airba g connector(s )
whe n th e harnes s is disconnected .
• D o no t disassembl e o r tampe r wit h th e sid e airbag .
1 . Mak e sur e yo u hav e th e anti-thef t cod e fo r th e
radio , the n writ e dow n th e frequencie s fo r th e
radio' s prese t buttons .
2 . Disconnec t th e batter y negativ e cable , the n discon -
nec t th e positiv e cabl e fro m th e battery , an d wai t a t
leas t 3 minutes .
3. Disconnec t th e SR S floo r harnes s 2 P connecto r
fro m th e sid e airba g harnes s 2 P connector .
NOTE : Whe n disconnected , th e sid e airba g connec -
to r i s automaticall y shorted .
4 . Remov e th e sea t assembl y the n remov e th e seat -
bac k cove r (se e sectio n 20 ). 7
. Instal l th e ne w seat-bac k cove r (se e sectio n 20 ).
8 . Instal l th e sea t assembl y (se e sectio n 20 ), the n con -
nec t th e sid e airba g harnes s 2 P connecto r t o th e
SR S floo r harnes s 2 P connector .
9 . Reconnec t th e batter y positiv e cable , the n connec t
th e negativ e cable .
10 . Afte r installin g th e sid e airbag , confir m prope r sys -
te m operation : Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) ; th e
SR S indicato r ligh t shoul d com e o n fo r abou t 6 sec -
ond s an d the n g o off .
11 . Reclinin g an d slid e th e fron t sea t forwar d fully ,
mak e sur e th e harnes s wire s ar e no t pinche d o r
interfering with othe r parts .
12 . Ente r th e anti-thef t cod e fo r th e radio , the n ente r th e
customer' s radi o statio n presets .
CAUTION
: B e sur e t o instal l th e harnes s wire s s o tha t
the y ar e no t pinche d o r interferin g wit h othe r parts .
NOTE :
• I f th e sid e airba g li d i s fixe d b y a tape , remov e th e
tape .
• D o no t ope n th e li d o f th e sid e airba g cover .
• Us e ne w mountin g nut s tightene d t o th e specifie d
torqu e whe n yo u replac e a sid e airbag .
• Mak e sur e tha t th e seat-bac k cove r i s installe d prop -
erly. Imprope r installatio n ma y preven t th e prope r
deployment .
6. Plac e th e ne w sid e airba g o n th e seat-back frame.
Tighte n th e sid e airba g mountin g nuts .
5
. Remov e th e tw o mountin g nut s an d th e sid e airbag .
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Seat Bel t Tensione r
Replacemen t
CAUTION:
• Alway s disconnec t th e sea t bel t tensione r connec -
tor(s ) whe n th e harnes s is disconnected .
• Carefull y inspec t th e sea t bel t tensione r befor e
installin g it . D o no t instal l a tensione r 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 deformation .
• Th e shoulde r harnes s ancho r bol t mus t b e remove d
befor e yo u remov e th e tensioner .
1 . Mak e sur e yo u hav e th e anti-thef t cod e fo r th e radio ,
the n writ e dow n th e frequencie s fo r th e radio' s pre -
set buttons .
2. Disconnec t th e batter y negativ e cable , the n discon -
nec t th e positiv e cabl e fro m th e battery , an d wai t a t
leas t 3 minutes .
3 . Remov e th e lef t an d (or ) righ t B-pilla r tri m panel s
(se e sectio n 20 ).
4 . Disconnec t th e sea t bel t tensione r 2 P connector(s )
fro m th e lef t sid e wir e harnes s (driver' s side ) an d
(or ) th e righ t wir e harnes s (fron t passenger' s side) .
NOTE : Whe n disconnected , th e tensione r connec -
to r i s automaticall y shorted .
5 . Disconnec t th e 2 P connecto r fro m th e tensio n
reduce r connector .
'96-98 Model s
'99 - 0 1 Model s
6 . Remov e th e shoulde r harnes s ancho r bolt , the n
remov e th e tw o sea t bel t tensione r mountin g bolt s
an d retractor .
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Seat Belt Tensioner

Replacement (cont'd)

CAUTION: Be sure to install the harness wires so that

they are not pinched or interfering with other parts.

7. Install the new seat belt.

'96 - 98 Models

'99 - 01 Models
9. Reconnect the left side wire harness 2P connector

to the driver's seat belt tensioner and (or) the right

side wire harness 2P connector to the front passen-

ger's seat belt tensioner.

10. Reconnect the left side wire harness or the right

side harness 2P connector to the tension reducer

connector.

11. Reinstall the B-pillar lower panel, door opening

trim, and door sill molding.
8. Reinstall the shoulder harness anchor bolt.ProCarManuals.com

12. Reconnect the battery positive cable, then the nega-

tive cable.

13. After installing the seat belt, confirm proper system

operation: Turn the ignition switch ON (II); the SRS

indicator light should come on for about 6 seconds

and then go off.

14. Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, then enter the

customer's radio station presets.ProCarManuals.com

Disposal
Before scrappin g an y airbag s o r sea t bel t tensioner s
(including those i n a whol e vehicl e t o b e scrapped) , th e
airbag s mus t b e deploye d an d th e sea t bel t tensioner s
mus t b e triggered . I f th e vehicl e i s stil l withi n th e war -
rant y period , befor e deployin g th e airbag s o r triggerin g
th e sea t bel t tensioners , th e Acur a Part s an d Servic e
Manage r mus t giv e approva l and/o r specia l instruction .
Onl y afte r th e airbag s hav e bee n deploye d o r a sea t bel t
tensione r i s triggere d (a s th e resul t o f vehicl e collision ,
fo r example) , ca n the y b e scrapped .
I f th e airbag s o r th e sea t bel t tensioner s appea r intac t
(no t deploye d o r triggered) , trea t the m wit h extrem e
caution . Follo w th e procedure .
Deploying th e Airbags : In-vehicl e
NOTE: I f a n SR S vehicl e i s t o b e entirel y scrapped , it s
airbag s shoul d b e deploye d whil e stil l i n th e vehicle . Th e
airbag s shoul d no t b e considere d a s salvageabl e part s
an d shoul d neve r b e installe d in anothe r vehicle .
Confirm tha t eac h airba g is securel y mount -
ed ; otherwise , sever e persona l injur y coul d resul t fro m
deployment .
1 . Disconnec t bot h th e negativ e cabl e an d positiv e
cabl e fro m th e battery .
2 . Confir m tha t th e specia l too l i s functionin g properl y
b y followin g th e chec k procedur e o n th e too l labe l
o r th e procedur e o n pag e 24-171 .
Driver' s Airbag :
3 . Remov e th e acces s panel , the n disconnec t th e 2 P
connecto r betwee n th e airba g an d th e cabl e reel .
Airba g an d Sea t Bel t Tensione r - '9 6 - 9 8 Model s
Front Passenger' s Airbag :
4 . Remov e th e glov e box , the n disconnec t th e 2 P con -
necto r betwee n th e fron t passenger' s airba g an d
SR S mai n harness .
5 . Cu t of f th e airba g connector , the n stri p th e end s o f
th e wires , an d connec t th e specia l too l alligato r
clip s t o them . Plac e th e specia l too l approximatel y
3 0 fee t (1 0 m ) awa y fro m th e airbag .
DEPLOYMEN T
TOO L
07HA Z-SG0050 0
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6. Connec t a 1 2 vol t batter y to th e tool :
• I f th e gree n ligh t o n th e too l come s on , th e airba g
ignite r circui t i s defectiv e an d canno t deplo y th e
airbag . G o to Damage d Airba g Specia l Procedure .
• I f th e re d ligh t o n th e too l come s on , th e airba g i s
read y t o b e deployed .
7 . Pus h th e tool' s deploymen t switch . Th e airba g
shoul d deplo y (deploymen t i s bot h highl y audibl e
an d visibl e a lou d nois e an d rapi d inflatio n o f th e
bag , followe d b y slo w deflation) .
• I f audible/visibl e deploymen t happens , an d th e
gree n ligh t o n th e too l come s on , continu e wit h
thi s procedure .
• I f th e airba g doesn' t deploy , ye t th e gree n ligh t
come s ON , it s ignite r i s defective . G o to Damage d
Airba g Specia l Procedure .
During deployment , th e airba g ca n
becom e ho t enoug h t o bur n you . Wai t thirt y min -
ute s afte r deploymen t befor e touchin g th e assem -
bly.
8. Dispos e o f th e complet e airba g assembly . N o par t
o f i t can be reused . Plac e i t i n a sturd y plasti c bag ,
an d sea l i t securely .
CAUTION :
• Wea r a fac e shiel d an d glove s whe n handlin g a
deploye d airbag .
• Was h you r hand s an d rins e the m wel l wit h
wate r afte r handin g a deploye d airbag .
Triggerin g th e Sea t Bel t Tensioners :
NOTE: I f a n SR S vehicl e containin g on e o r bot h intac t
sea t bel t tensioner(s ) i s t o b e entirel y scrapped , th e sea t
belt tensioner(s ) shoul d b e triggere d whil e stil l i n th e
vehicle .
A tensione r i s no t a salvageabl e par t an d shoul d neve r
b e installe d i n anothe r vehicle .
1 . Disconnec t bot h th e negativ e cabl e an d positiv e
cabl e fro m th e battery .
2. Confir m tha t th e specia l too l i s functionin g properl y
by followin g th e chec k procedur e o n th e too l labe l
o r th e procedur e o n pag e 24-171 .
3 . Remov e th e B-pilla r tri m pane l (se e sectio n 20 ).
4 . Cu t of f th e sea t bel t tensione r connector , the n stri p
th e wir e end s an d connec t th e specia l too l alligato r
clip s t o the m a s shown . Plac e th e specia l too l abou t
3 0 fee t awa y fro m th e vehicle .
5 . Buckl e th e sea t belt , the n pul l ou t abou t 2 inche s o f
slack , mak e a loo p wit h it , an d hol d th e loo p i n
plac e wit h a cli p a s shown .
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