ignition Acura RSX 2002 Workshop Manual

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). 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.
1.
2.
3. 4.
285
159
207 Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed274
L LO OW W O
OIILL P
PR
RE ES
SS SUUR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
def ogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated
controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly.
Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed275
C CH
H A
AR
RGGI INNG G S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R

If you have recently ref ueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the fuel fill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes one driving trip.
If the indicator remains on past one
driving trip, or the f uel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, it indicates one of
the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your car’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
your car to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage.
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed276
M M A
AL
LFFUUN NCCTTI
IOON N I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R L
LAA M
M P
P
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car’s emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car’s warranties.

Your car has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If your car’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes several
days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.If possible, do not take your car f or a
state emissions test until the
readiness codes are set. To check if
they are set, turn the ignition ON (II),
but do not start the engine. The
Malf unction Indicator Lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks 5 times, the readiness
codes are not set. See State
Emissions Testing on pages and
.
300 299
Readiness Codes
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed277

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Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See on page .)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
219
285Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed278
B BR RAA K
KEE S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
U
U. .SS. .i
inn d
di
icca at too r
r s
shh o
ow
wn n

If something electrical in your car
stops working, the f irst thing you
should check f or is a blown f use.
Determine f rom the chart on pagesand , or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that component. Check those
f uses f irst, but check all the f uses
bef ore deciding that a blown f use is
not the cause. Replace any blown
f uses and check the component’s
operation.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use box by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head screw-
driver.
Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each f use with the f use
puller provided in the interior f use
box.
3.
1.
2. 4.
283 284
CONT INUED
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed281
B BL
LOOW WN N F
FU
US SEE P
PU
UL LLLEE R
R
F
FU
US SEE

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No. No.
Circuits Protected Circuits Protected
:
: Canadian models only
T ype-S only
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Ignition Coil
Laf Heater
Daytime Running Lights
ACG (IG)
Not Used
Power Window Relay
Moon roof
Radio
Rear Wiper
Gauge panel
ABS
Daytime Running Lights SRS
Power Mirror
Bass Speaker
Heated Seats
Fuel Pump
Accessory Power Socket
Turn Signal
Front Wiper
Not Used
Front Passenger’s Power Window
Driver’s Power Window
Not Used
Not Used
1
1 2
11
2
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed283
INTERIOR FUSE BOX

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No.Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 25 Condenser f an
Small Light
Interior Light
Cooling Fan
Hazard
FI ECU
Horn, Stop
ABS (F/S)
Back Up
ABS Motor
Rear Demister
Heater Mortor
Power Window
Option
Lef t Headlight
Door Lock
Right Headlight
Not Used
Main Fuse Battery
Main Fuse Ignition
Spare Fuse
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Fuses
284
UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any
electrical accessories are turned of f
so they do not run down the battery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed286
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.

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Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your Acura, and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems. ................
Identif ication Numbers . 288
................................
Specif ications .290
DOT Tire Quality Grading .............................
(U.S.Cars) .292
.................................
Treadwear .292
...........
Traction AA, A, B, C . 292
...........
Temperature A,B,C .293
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .294
......
Driving in Foreign Countries . 295.......................
Emissions Controls .296
.....................
The Clean Air Act .296
Crankcase Emissions Control ....................................
System .296
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .296
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .297
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls . 297
....................
PGM-FI System .297
Ignition Timing Control ................................
System .297
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .297
....................
Replacement Parts . 297
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 298
..............
State Emissions Testing . 299
T echnical Inf ormat ion
T echnical Inf ormation287