ACURA TL 1995 Service Repair Manual

Distributor Top End Inspection

1. Check for rough or pitted rotor and cap terminals.

2. Scrape or file off the carbon deposits. Smooth the

rotor terminal with an oil stone or #600 sandpaper if

rough.

ROTOR

TERMINAL
CAP TERMINAL

CARBON

POINT

3. Check the distributor ignition (Dl) cap for cracks, wear,

and damage. If necessary, clean or replace it.
Noise Condenser Capacity Test

1. Use a commercially available condenser tester.

Connect the condenser tester probes and measure

the condenser capacity.

Condenser capacity: 0.47 ± 0.09 microfarads

POSITIVE TERMINAL

BODY GROUND

(Negative)

NOTE: The noise condenser is intended to reduce

ignition noise. However, condenser failure may cause

the engine to stop running.

2. If not within the specifications, replace the noise con-

denser.ProCarManuals.com

Ignition System

Ignition Wire Inspection and Test

CAUTION: Carefully remove the ignition wires by pulling

on the rubber boots. Do not bend the wires; you might

break them inside.

1. Check the condition of the ignition wire terminals.

If any terminal is corroded, clean it, and if it is broken

or distorted, replace the wire.

Check for broken,

corroded, and bent

terminals.
IGNITION

WIRES
2. Connect ohmmeter probes and measure resistance.

Ignition Wire Resistance:

25k max. at 68°F (20°C)

IGNITION

WIRES

3. If resistance exceeds 25 k , replace the ignition wire.ProCarManuals.com

Distributor Installatio n
NOTE:
Use th e illustratio n o n pag e 23-8 6 a s referenc e fo r
reassembly .
Before yo u instal l th e distributor , brin g th e No . 1 pis -
to n to compressio n strok e TDC .
1 . Coa t a ne w O-rin g wit h engin e oil , the n instal l it .
2 . Clea n th e matin g surface s o f th e distributo r an d th e
cylinde r head .
NOTE : Mak e sur e tha t th e distributo r ven t hol e i s
no t clogged .
3 . Sli p th e distributo r int o position .
NOTE : Th e lu g o n th e en d o f th e distributo r an d it s
matin g groove s in th e camshaf t en d ar e bot h offse t
t o eliminat e th e possibilit y o f installin g th e distribu -
to r 180 ° ou t o f time .
DISTRIBUTO RENDCAMSHAF TEND
LUG S
NEW O-RIN G
MOUNTIN G BOLT S18 N- m (1. 8 kgf-m , 1 3 Ibf-ft )
4. Instal l th e mountin g bolts , the n tighte n them . 5
. Connec t th e ignitio n wire s an d ignitio n coi l wir e i n
th e numbere d sequenc e shown .
6 . Inspec t th e timin g wit h a timin g ligh t a s show n o n
pag e 23-84 .
GROOVE S
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Ignition Syste m
Ignition Contro l Modul e (ICM ) Inpu t Tes t
NOTE :
Se e sectio n 1 1 whe n th e malfunctio n indicator lamp
(MIL ) blinks .
Perform a n inpu t tes t o n th e ignitio n contro l modul e
(ICM) afte r finishin g th e fundamenta l test s fo r th e
ignitio n syste m an d fue l emissio n system .
Disconnec t th e 4 P connecto r fro m th e ICM . Mak e th e fol -
lowin g inpu t test s a t th e connecto r terminals . I f al l test s
prov e OK , ye t th e syste m stil l fail s to work , replac e th e ICM .
IGNITIO NCOIL
WIR E SID E O F FEMAL ETERMINAL S
Check fo r continuit y betwee n th e No . 4 termina l an d
bod y ground .
I f ther e is continuity , g o t o ste p 2 .
I f ther e i s n o continuity , chec k for :
— A n ope n in th e BL K wire .
— Disconnecte d terminals .
— Poo r groun d (G101) .
2. Wit h th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) , ther e shoul d b e bat -
tery voltag e betwee n th e No . 3 (+ ) an d No . 4 (- ) ter -
minals .
I f ther e is batter y voltage , g o t o ste p 3 .
I f ther e is n o voltage , chec k for :
— A n ope n in th e BLK/YE L wire .
— Disconnecte d terminals .
— Fault y ignitio n coi l (se e pag e 23-91 ).
3 . Wit h th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) , ther e shoul d b e bat -
ter y voltag e betwee n th e No . 2 (+ ) an d No . 4 (-) ter -
minals .
I f ther e is n o voltage , chec k for :
— A n ope n i n th e GR N wir e betwee n th e ignitio n
coi l an d ICM .
— Fault y ignitio n coi l (se e pag e 23-91 ).
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Ignition Coil Test

1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.

2. Disconnect the 4P connector and ignition coil wire.

SECONDARY

WINDING

TERMINAL

4P CONNECTOR

TERMINAL SIDE OF

MALE TERMINALS
3. Using an ohmmeter, measure resistance between

the terminals. Replace the coil if the resistance is

not within specifications.

NOTE: Resistance will vary with the coil tempera-

ture; specifications are at 68°F (20°C).

Primary Winding Resistance

(Between the No. 2 and No. 3 terminals):

0.36 - 0.44 ohms

Secondary Winding Resistance

(Between the No. 2 and secondary winding terminals):

10.8-16.2k

Resistance between the No. 3 and No. 4 terminals:

2.0-2.3k

SECONDARY

WINDING

TERMINAL

4. Check for continuity between the No. 1 and No. 2

terminals. Replace the coil if there is no continuity.ProCarManuals.com

Ignition System

Spark Plug Inspection

1. Inspect the electrodes and ceramic insulator for:
2. Check the electrode gap.

• Adjust the gap with a suitable gapping tool.

Electrode Gap

• Replace the plug if the center electrode is rounded

as shown below:

Burned or worn electrodes may be caused by:

• Advanced ignition timing

• Loose spark plug

• Plug heat range too low

• Insufficient cooling

Fouled plug may be caused by:

Retarded ignition timing

Oil in combustion chamber

Incorrect spark plug gap

Plug heat range too high

Excessive idling/low speed running

Clogged air cleaner element

Deteriorated ignition coil or ignition wires

3. Apply a small quantity of anti-seize compound to

the plug threads, and screw the plugs into the cylin-

der head finger-tight. Then torque them to 18 N-m

(1.8 kgf-m, 13 Ibf-ft).
Spark PlugsProCarManuals.com

Charging Syste m
Componen t Locatio n Inde x
CHARGIN G SYSTE M LIGH T
(I n th e gaug e assembly )
Test , pag e 23-9 6
Bul b Locations , pag e 23-11 5
BATTER YTest, pag e 23-6 0
ALTERNATO RAlternator an d Regulato r Test , pag e 23-9 8
Replacement , pag e 23-10 0
Overhaul , pag e 23-10 1 ALTERNATO
R BEL T
Inspectio n an d Adjustment , pag e 23-10 4
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Charging System

Description

To improve fuel economy, the alternator control system within the ECM changes the voltage generated at the alternator in

accordance with driving conditions.

Throttle position (TP) sensor

Engine coolant temperature

(ECT) sensor

Intake air temperature (IAT)

sensor

TDC/CKP/CYP sensor

Vehicle speed sensor (VSS)

ELD

Air conditioning signal
ECM

Alternator

STARTER SWITCH ON
Generated voltage decreases from 14.0 V to 12.5 V

AND

ELECTRICAL LOAD below 15 A

and

VEHICLE SPEED between 9 mph (15 km/h) and

44 mph (70
km/h)

and

ENGINE SPEED between 1,100 rpm and 3,000 rpm

and

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE above 176°F

(80°C)

and

A/C SWITCH OFF

and

INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE above 65°F (18°C)
AND

FUEL CUT-OFF CON-

TROL function is not

engaged.ProCarManuals.com

Charging Syste m
Troubleshootin g
If th e chargin g syste m ligh t i s on , o r th e batter y is dea d o r low , tes t th e followin g item s in th e orde r liste d below .
1. Batter y (se e pag e 23-60 )
2. Chargin g Syste m Ligh t
3. Alternator/Regulato r
Check th e No . 4 (1 5 A)*1 o r (2 0A)*2 fus e i n th e under-das h fuse /
rela y box .
I s th e fus e OK ?
Chec k fo r a n ope n in th e L circuit :
1 . Disconnec t th e 4 P connecto r
from th e alternator .2. Groun d th e No . 4*1 o r No . 3*2
termina l o f th e 4 P connector .3. Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N(II).
Doe s th e chargin g syste mlight com e on ?
4. Disconnec t th e No . 4*1 o r No .
3*2 termina l o f th e 4 P connec -tor fro m th e ground .
Does th e chargin g syste m
ligh t g o off ?
Doe s th e chargin g syste m
ligh t sta y off ?
(T o page 23-97) Replac
e th e fuse .
Chec k fo r a blow n chargin g sys -
te m ligh t bulb . I f th e bul b i s OK ,
repai r th e ope n i n th e WHT/BL U
wire .
Th e chargin g syste m ligh t circui tis OK .
Turn th e ignitio n switc h OFF , an d
repai r th e shor t t o groun d i n th e
WHT/BL U wire .
ALTERNATO R 4 P CONNECTO R
'95 - 9 6 model s '9 7 - 9 8 model s
*1 : '9 5 -9 6 model s
*2 : '9 7 - 9 8 model s WIR
E SID E O F FEMAL E TERMINAL S
ALTERNATO R 4 P CONNECTO R
'95 - 9 6 model s '9 7 - 9 8 model s
WIR E SID E O F FEMAL E TERMINAL S
Chec
k fo r a shor t t o bod y groun d
i n th e L circuit :
1. Tur n th e ignitio n switc h OFF .2. Disconnec t th e AB S contro l uni t
(C447)*1 an d integrate d contro l
uni t (C401) , a s applicable .
3. Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N(II) .
ProCarManuals.com

(From page 23-96 )
Chec k fo r shor t i n contro l unit(s) :
1 . Tur n th e ignitio n switc h OFF .
2 . Reconnec t th e AB S contro l
uni t connector .
3 . Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N
(II) , an d chec k th e chargin g
system light .4. Tur n th e ignitio n switc h OF Fagain .5. Reconnec t th e integrate d con -trol uni t connector .6. Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N
(II) , an d chec k th e chargin g
system ligh t again .
Did th e ligh t sta y of f whe n yo u
turne d o n th e ignitio n switc h afte r
connectin g eac h contro l uni t con -
nector ?
Check fo r a n ope n in th e IG circuit :
Measur e th e voltag e a t th e No .
3*
1 o r No . 1*2 termina l o f th e 4 Pconnector .
ALTERNATO R 4 P CONNECTO R
'95-96 model s '97-9 8 model s
Replac e th e contro l uni t tha t
cause d th e ligh t t o com e on .
WIR E SID E O F FEMAL E TERMINAL S
Is ther e batter y voltage ? Tur
n th e ignitio n switc h OFF , an d
repai r th e ope n circui t i n th e BLK /YEL wire .
Chec k th e Alternator/Regulator :1. Connec t th e 4 P connecto r t o
th e alternator .
2 . Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N
(II).
Doe s th e chargin g syste m
ligh t com e on ? Chec
k th e alternator/regulato r(see pag e 23-98 ).
3 . Star t th e engine .
Doe s th e chargin g syste m
ligh t g o off ? Chec
k th e alternator/regulato r
(see pag e 23-98 ).
Th e chargin g syste m ligh t circui tis OK .
*1: '9 5 -9 6 model s*2: '9 7 - 9 8 model s
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