Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Manual

Charging System Indicator
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
This indicator should come on whenthe ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that thecharging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, 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. 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.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
This indicator comes on for a fewseconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). 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 feel no difference in your car's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your car to put out excessive emissions.Continued operation may causeserious damage. If you have recently refueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel fill 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 off
immediately; it takes three driving
trips.
If the indicator remains on past threedriving trips, or the fuel 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.
You should also have the dealer inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving.
If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car's emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car's warranties.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

Brake System Indicator
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
The Brake System Indicator lightcomes on when you turn the ignitionON (II). If the parking brake is not
set, it goes off after you start the
engine. If the parking brake is set, it
goes off when you fully release the parking brake with the engine
running. 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 fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 214). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel 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 feel the brake pedal
go down much farther before 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. Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. Youshould have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See Emergency
Towing on page 277.)
If you must drive the car a shortdistance in this condition, driveslowly and cautiously.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Closing the Moonroof
If the electric motor will not close
the moonroof, do the following:
1. Check the fuse for the moonroof motor (see page 276). If the fuse
is blown, replace it with one of thesame or lower rating.
2. Try closing the moonroof. If the new fuse blows immediately or the
moonroof motor still does not
operate, you can close the
moonroof manually.
3. Get the moonroof wrench out of the tool kit in the trunk.ROUND PLUG
4. Use a screwdriver or coin toremove the round plug in thecenter of the headliner.
SOCKET
5. Insert the moonroof wrench into the socket behind this plug. Turnthe wrench until the moonroof isfully closed.
6. Remove the wrench. Replace the round plug.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Fuses
All the electrical circuits in your carhave fuses to protect them from a short circuit or overload. These
fuses are located in three fuse boxes.INTERIOR
The interior fuse boxes are located on each side of the dashboard. To
open an interior fuse box, open the
car door. Pull the bottom of the
cover open, then take it out of itsside hinges by pulling it toward you.
UNDER-HOOD
The under-hood fuse box is located in the back of the engine compart-
ment on the passenger's side. To
open it, push the tabs as shown.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
TAB

Fuses
Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your car stops working, the first thing you
should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages 275 and 276, or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses control that component. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is not the cause. Replace any blown
fuses and check the component's operation.
1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box.
BLOWN
3. Check each of the large fuses inthe under-hood fuse box by
looking through the top at the wireinside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head screw- driver.
FUSE PULLER
4. Check the smaller fuses in the under-hood fuse box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse boxes by
pulling out each fuse with the fuse
puller provided in the under-hood
fuse box.
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Taking Care of the Unexpected

Fuses
BLOWN
5. Look for a burned wire inside thefuse. If it is burned, replace it withone of the spare fuses of the same
rating or lower. If you cannot drive the car without
fixing the problem, and you do not
have a spare fuse, take a fuse of the same rating or a lower rating from
one of the other circuits. Make sure
you can do without that circuit temporarily (such as the accessorypower socket or radio).
If you replace the blown fuse with aspare fuse that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not indicate anything wrong. Replace the
fuse with one of the correct rating as soon as you can.
Replacing a fuse with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a replace-
ment fuse with the proper rating for the
circuit, install one with a lower rating.
6. If the replacement fuse of the same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your car. Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your car checked
by a qualified mechanic.
If the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itself. The next time you turn on the radio you
will see "Code" in the frequency display. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the five-digit code (see page 142).
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

Fuses
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo.1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
9
10 11 Amps.
20 A-
20 A
20 A 20 A15 A -
30 A 15 A
120 A 20 A Circuits Protected
Left Headlight
Not Used
Right Headlight
ABS F/S Stop
ACG
Spare Fuse
ABS Motor
Hazard
BatteryCooling FanNo.
1213
14
15
16
17
18 19
20
21 Amps.
30 A
40 A-
40 A
20 A
40 A
40A
50 A 15 A
20 A Circuits Protected
Back Up, ACC Power Window Motor
Spare Fuse
Power Seat
TCS Heater Motor
Rear Defroster
IG1 Main
Small Light
Condenser Fan
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Taking Care of the Unexpected

Fuses
INTERIOR FUSE BOXES
DRIVER'S SIDE
No.1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8 9
10
11 12
13 Amps.
15 A
10 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
15 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 7.5 A
7.5 A 15 A
30 A
7.5 A Circuits Protected
Fuel Pump
SRS
Heater Control
Mirror
Daytime Running Lights*
ECU (ECM/PCM), Cruise Control
SRS
ACC Instrument Panel, Back-up
Lights, Moonroof
IG1 Turn Signals
IG1 Coil
Wiper, Washer Starter Signal PASSENGER'S SIDE
* : On Canadian models
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6 7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 Amps.
30 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A 20 A
20 A
20 A 10 A
7.5 A 20 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 20 A
20 A Circuits Protected
Moonroof
Power Seat Recline
Heated Seat
Driver's Power Seat
Assistant Power Seat Seat Recline
Rear Left Power Window
Front Right Power Window
ACC (Radio) Navigation System, Daytime
Running Lights*
Interior Light, Courtesy
Lights
Power Door Locks
Clock
ABS Motor Check
Driver's Power Window
Rear Right Power Window
* : On Canadian models
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Emergency Towing
If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of professional towing equipment:
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport
your Acura.
Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to tow your
Acura.
Sling-type Equipment — The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspension and body can be seriously damaged.
This method of towing is unacceptable.
If your Acura cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.
• Release the parking brake.
• Start the engine.
• Shift to D5, then to N.
• Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start theengine, your car must be transported
with the front wheels off the ground.
• With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the car no
farther than 50 miles (80 km), and
keep the speed below 35 mph (55
km/h).
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE