check engine Acura TL 2001 3.2 Owner's Guide

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.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 ).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 .)
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.
154 205 282
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
271
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 comes on f or a f ew
seconds 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 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.Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving. If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, 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. 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 at least three
driving trips.
CONT INUED
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed273
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.

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(


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)
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#
) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
306
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
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below for a quotation.
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City
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Check here if your billing address is different
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()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 157
................................
Accessories .157
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 158
............................
Modif ications .158
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 207
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 45
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .220
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 230
......
Air Conditioning System . 114,121
..............................
Maintenance .229
.................................
Usage .116, 121
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .232
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .292
......................................
Antif reeze .210
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .57, 178
...................................
Operation .177
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 146
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 78
..........................
Appearance Care .249
................................
Audio System .127 ...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 66
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 72
..............
Automatic Transmission . 166
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .288
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 216
.......................................
Shif ting .166
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 166
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 167
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 173
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .56, 272
............................
Jump Starting .266
..............................
Maintenance .224
............................
Specif ications .289
..............................
Bef ore Driving .149
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,42
...........................
Beverage Holder .107
...................................
Body Repair .256
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 177
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 150
....................
Bulb Replacement .243 ...........................................
Fluid .218
.......................................
Parking .103
.................
System Indicator . 56,275
........................
Wear Indicators .176
.............................
Braking System .176
........................
Break-in, New Car .150
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 67
........................
Brights, Headlights .65
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .243
..............................
Brake Lights .243
..............................
Ceiling Light .245
........................
Courtesy Lights .245
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 241
.................................
Headlights .240
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 244
...................
License Plate Light . 244
............................
Specif ications .289
...................................
Spotlights .245
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 241
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .240
Index
A
B
I

Î
............................
Capacities Chart .288
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 51
............................
Carrying, Cargo .159
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .144
...................................
Operation .141
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .137
.......................................
CD Player .135
..................................
Ceiling Light .110
........................
Certif ication Label .286
............................................
Chains .237
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .207
......................................
When to .196
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .259
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 212
...
Charging System Indicator . 56,272
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 164
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 220Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .251
...................................
Carpeting .252
......................................
Exterior .250
.......................................
Interior .252
.......................................
Leather .253
...................................
Seat Belts .253
...........................................
Vinyl .253
....................................
Windows .254
.......
Climate Control System . 114,121
.........................
Clock, Setting the .104
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .51
........................................
Coin Box .105
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 165
..............................
Compact Spare .258
.................
Console Compartment . 105
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 300
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 53
Coolant ........................................
Adding .210
....................................
Checking .155
.........................
Proper Solution .210
...................................
Replacing .212
...................
Temperature Gauge . 62
....................
Corrosion Protection .255 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .294
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 72
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 300
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 54
................
Daytime Running Lights . 66
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 303
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 70
......
Def rosting the Windows . 120,125
....................................
Dimensions .288
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 65
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..................................
Engine Oil .154
..........................
Directional Signals .67
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 176
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .209
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .58
......................
Power Door Locks .79
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
.....................................
Drive Belts .230
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .163
....................................
Economy .156
.........................
In Bad Weather .182
................
In Foreign Countries . 293
..............................
Economy, Fuel .156
............
Emergencies on the Road . 257
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 266
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 277
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 276
..................
Overheated Engine . 269
.........................
Emergency Brake .103
......................
Emergency Flashers .69
......................
Emergency Towing .282
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
.......................
Emissions Controls .294
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 297Engine
............................................
Belts .230
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 62
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .56, 273
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 56,271
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 205
...............................
Overheating .269
............................
Specif ications .289
............................
Speed Limiter .173
.......................................
Starting .165
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .51
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 250
..........................
Fan, Interior .118, 123
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 151
Filter ................................
Air Cleaner .220 .......................
Air Conditioning .230
...............................................
Oil .207
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 69
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 259
.....................................
Floor Mats .252
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..........................................
Brake .218
..........................
Power Steering .219
................
Windshield Washers . 215
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .128
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 293
..........................
Four-way Flashers .69
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,45
.................................................
Fuel .150
......................
Fill Door and Cap .151
...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 150
...............................
Oxygenated .292
........................
Reserve Indicator .59
........................
Tank, Filling the .151
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .277
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .76
..................................
Maintenance .191
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
........................................
Record .201
......................
Required Indicator .63
..........................................
Saf ety .192
.............................
Schedule .196-200
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .56, 273
...............................
Meters, Gauges .60
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 292
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
.......................................
Moonroof .100
......................
Closing Manually .276
...................................
Operation .100
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 169
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 150
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 286
.......................
Label, Certif ication .286
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 67
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,42
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .240
.......................................
Indicator .55
.........................................
Parking .65
..................................
Turn Signal .67
.....................................
Load Limit .160
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
........................
Lockout Prevention .80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .151
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .79
...........................................
Trunk .84
........................
Low Coolant Level .155
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 56,271
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 288.........................................
Luggage .159
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 150
.........................................
Odometer .61
...............................
Odometer, Trip .61
Oil ........................
Change, How to .207
......................
Change, When to .196
......................
Checking Engine .154
..............
Pressure Indicator . 56,271
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .206
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .294
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 293
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
....................
Overheating, Engine .269
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .292
Index
K
L
NO
M
V

Î
..............................
Paint Touch-up .251
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 67
........................
Park Gear Position .168
...........................................
Parking .175
...............................
Parking Brake .103
Parking Brake and Brake System ...............................
Indicator .56, 275
.................................
Parking Lights .65
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 175
.............................
PGM-FI System .295
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 251
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .41 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 269
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound ........................................
System .127
...................
Readiness Codes . 274,297
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 243
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .97
..........................
Rear View Mirror .101
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 94
.............................
Reminder Lights .55
................
Remote Audio Controls . 145
.......................
Remote Transmitter .81
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 220
.............
Air Conditioning Filter . 230
..........................
Engine Coolant .212
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 207
..........................................
Fuses .278
................................
Light Bulbs .240
....................................
Schedule .196
................................
Spark Plugs .221
...........................................
Tires .235
.............................
Wiper Blades .227 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .44
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 155
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 168
................................
Rotation, Tire .235
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 42
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 303
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 52
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 42
...............
Additional Information . 42
.....................................
Cleaning .253
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15,42
................................
Maintenance .44
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .42, 56
Index
PR
S
VI