check engine light Acura Integra 2000 Sedan User Guide

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Diagnosing why your engine won't start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III): You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Your car has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 69 ).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer system indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly. Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor or thestarter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be in Park or Neutral. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlightsare very dun or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jum p Startin g on page 227. Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim, check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignitionswitch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Emergenc y Towin g on page 241 .)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 186 ). You can
then try jump starting the car from a booster battery (see page 227 ).

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Start , Jum p Startin g

Th e Starte r Operate s Normall y
In this case, the starter motor's speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Startin g th e
Engin e on page 133 . Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank. There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 237).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 241. Jum
p Startin g
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine
by using a booster battery. Although this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start an Acura with an automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery
(see page 187). In very cold weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushyor like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the

electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen

battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.

Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTIC
E

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressuredropped very low for 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.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 122 ). 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.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 167).

4. Start the engine and watch the oil pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 241.)

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E
LO W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R

Fuse
s
Cars equipped with ABS have a third
fuse box for the ABS. It is in the
front of the engine compartment on the passenger's side. Checkin
g an d Replacin g Fuse s
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 239 and 240, 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. 3. Check each of the large fuses in
the under-hood fuse box bylooking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these fuses requires a Phillips-head screw-

driver.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

BLOW
N
AB
S FUS E BO X

Inde
x

Accessories and Modifications.... 125 Accessories................................. 125
Additional Safety Precaution.... 126 Modifications............................. 126
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 71
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 178

Brake Fluid................................. 179 Clutch Fluid................................ 181

Engine Coolant........................... 172

Engine Oil................................... 167

Manual Transmission Fluid..... 179
Power Steering Fluid................. 181
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 177
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42 Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About

Your SRS................................... 45

Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47

How Your Airbags Work............ 45

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 169
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 200

Head Restraints........................... 76

Mirrors.......................................... 81

Seats.............................................. 76
Steering Wheel............................ 65

Airbag (SRS)...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 182
Air Conditioning............................... 90 Maintenance............................... 190
Usage............................................. 90
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 92
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 192
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 250
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........ 213 Antifreeze....................................... 172
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light.................... 55, 144 Operation.................................... 142

Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 71

Appearance Care........................... 211
Ashtrays............................................ 86
Audio System................................... 98
Automatic Speed Control................ 66 Automatic Transmission............... 136

Capacity, Fluid........................... 247

Checking Fluid Level................ 178
Shifting........................................ 136
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 136
Shift Lever Positions................. 136
Shift Lock Release..................... 139
Battery Charging System Indicator........................... 54, 232

Jump Starting............................. 227
Maintenance............................... 186

Specifications............................. 247

Before Driving............................... 117

CONTINUED

Index

Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 84
Body Repair.................................... 217
Brakes

Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 142
Break-in, New Linings.............. 118

Fluid............................................ 179

Light, Burned-out...................... 204
Parking.......................................... 82
System Indicator................. 54, 234
Wear Indicators......................... 141
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 142
System Indicator................. 55, 144
Braking System.............................. 141
Break-in, New Car......................... 118 Brightness Control, Instruments... 62
Brights, Headlights......................... 61
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 207
Brake Lights............................... 204
Ceiling Light............................... 208
Front Parking Lights................. 203
Front Side Marker Lights......... 203
Headlights.................................. 202
High-mount Brake Light.......... 204
License Plate Lights.................. 207

Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 204

Specifications............................. 247

Spotlights.................................... 208

Trunk Light................................ 209

Turn Signal Lights..................... 203

Bulbs, Halogen............................... 202

Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 227

Capacities Chart............................. 246
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying Cargo.............................. 127
Cassette Player Care............................................. 114

Operation.................................... 111

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii

CD Changer.................................... 107
CD Player........................................ 105
Certification Label......................... 244
Chains............................................. 197 Change Oil
How to......................................... 170

When to....................................... 158

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221 Changing Engine Coolant............. 172
Charging System Indicator... 54, 232
Checking
Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 178

Battery Condition...................... 186
Brake Fluid................................. 179 Clutch Fluid................................ 181
Drive Belts.................................. 191
Engine Coolant........................... 123

Engine Oil................................... 122
Fuses........................................... 237
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 179Power Steering Fluid................. 181
Checklist, Before Driving............. 132
Childproof Door Locks................... 73
Cleaner, Air.................................... 182

Cleaning
Exterior....................................... 212

Interior........................................ 214
Seat Belts.................................... 214

Vinyl............................................ 214
Windows..................................... 215

Clock, Setting the............................ 83

Clutch Fluid.................................... 181
CO in the Exhaust......................... 252

Inde
x

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 133 Compact Spare............................... 220
Console Compartment.................... 85
Consumer Information *................ 256
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding......................................... 172

Checking..................................... 123
Proper Solution.......................... 172
Replacing.................................... 174
Temperature Gauge.................... 58
Corrosion Protection..................... 216
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 252

Cruise Control Operation............... 66 Customer Relations Office........... 256
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 52 Dead Battery, What to Do............ 227
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 258
Defog and Defrost........................... 96
Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Defrosting the Windows................. 96 DEXRON
®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 178
Dimensions..................................... 246
Dimming the Headlights................ 61
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 178

Engine Oil................................... 122

Directional Signals........................... 62
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 241

Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 141
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 171 Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 72
Open Indicator............................. 55
Power Door Locks....................... 72
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 248
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 134
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5 Drive Belts...................................... 191
Driving............................................ 131 Economy.....................................
124

In Ba
d Weather..........................

145

In Foreig

n Countries................. 251
Economy, Fuel............................... 124

Emergencies on the Road............. 219
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 227
Brake System Indicator............ 234
Changing a Flat Tire................. 221
Charging System Indicator ...... 232
Checking the Fuses................... 237
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 231
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 233
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 235 Overheated Engine................... 229
Emergency Brake............................ 82 Emergency Flashers....................... 64
Emissions Controls........................ 252
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 58
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................ 55, 233

Oil Pressure Indicator........ 54, 231
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 167
Overheating................................ 229
Specifications............................. 246
Speed Limit........................ 135, 138
CONTINUED

Inde
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Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 250
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 252 Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.........................................19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 212
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 214

Fan, Interior...................................... 90

Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 89

Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 119
Filters
Air................................................ 182

Oil................................................ 170

5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 179
Shifting the................................. 134
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 64
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 221
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 178
Brake........................................... 179Clutch.......................................... 181 Manual Transmission............... 179
Power Steering........................... 181
Windshield Washer................... 177
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 77
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 251
Four-way Flashers........................... 64
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker................. 241

Fuel.................................................. 118
Fill Door and Cap....................... 119Gauge............................................ 58
Octane Requirement................. 118
Oxygenated................................ 250
Reserve Indicator......................... 55
Tank, Filling the......................... 119
Fuses, Checking the...................... 237
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 124
Gasohol........................................... 250Gasoline.......................................... 118
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 55Gauge............................................ 58 Octane Requirement................. 118
Tank, Filling the......................... 119
Gas Station Procedures................. 119

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature.... 58
Fuel................................................ 58
Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 59
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 136
5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 135

Glass Cleaning............................... 215

Glove Box......................................... 75
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 202
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 64
Headlights
Aiming......................................... 200

High Beam Indicator................... 56
High Beams, Turning on............ 61
Low Beams, Turning on............. 61
Reminder Chime.......................... 61
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 202

Inde
x

Maintenance
Required Indicator....................... 59
Safety........................................... 154
Schedule.............................. 156-162

Malfunction
Indicator Lamp. 55, 233
Manual

Transmission.................... 134
Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 179 Meters, Gauges................................ 57
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 250Mirrors,

Adjusting........................... 81

Moonroof.......................................... 80
Closing Manually....................... 235
Operation...................................... 80

Neutral Gear Position.................... 137

New Vehicle Break-in................... 118

Normal

Shift Speeds...................... 135

NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i

Numbers, Identification................ 244

Octane

Requirement, Gasoline.... 118

Odometer.......................................... 57
Odometer, Trip................................ 57

Oil
Change, How to......................... 170
Change, When to....................... 158
Checking Engine.......................
122
Pressure Indicator.............. 54, 231
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 169
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 71
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery..................................... 252
Opening the Hood......................... 120
Opening the Trunk.......................... 73
Operation in Foreign Countries... 251
Outside

Mirrors............................... 81
Overheating, Engine..................... 229
Park Gear Position......................... 137
Parking............................................ 140

Parking Brake.................................. 82

Parking Lights.................................. 61

Parking Over Things that Burn... 254

PGM-FI

System.............................. 253
Polishing and Waxing................... 213

Power

Doo

r Locks................................... 72

Mirrors.......................................... 81

Steering.......................................

181

Windows....................................... 79

Pre-Drive

Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 19

Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional
Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19
Protectin

g Children......................... 21
Protecting Infants........................ 29
Protecting Larger Children........ 37 Protecting Small Children.......... 33
Using

Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 40
Radiator Overheating.................... 229
Radio/Cassett

e Sound System....... 98
Rear End Towing........................... 241
Rear

Lights, Bulb Replacement... 204
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 77
Rear View Mirror............................. 81

Inde
x

SRS, Additional Information
SRS Components......................... 45

SRS Service................................... 47

SRS Indicator............................. 47, 55

START (Ignition Key Position) ..... 71
Starting the Engine........................ 133 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 133
With a Dead Battery................. 227
Steam Coming from Engine......... 229

Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 65

Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 71

Stereo Sound System...................... 98
Storing Your Car............................ 210
Supplemental Restraint System..... 45 Servicing....................................... 47

SRS Indicator......................... 47, 55

System Components.................... 45
Synthetic Oil................................... 169
Tachometer...................................... 57
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 204 Taking Care of the Unexpected.. 219
Tape Player..................................... 111

Technical Descriptions
Driving In Foreign Countries... 251

Emissions Control Systems...... 252

Oxygenated Fuels...................... 250
Three Way Catalytic Converter................................ 254
Technical Information................... 243
Temperature Gauge........................ 58
Tether Attachment Points.............. 40
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 254
Time, Setting the............................. 83
Timing Belt..................................... 191
Tire Chains..................................... 197 Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 221
Tires................................................ 192 Air Pressure............................... 192
Checking Wear.......................... 194Compact Spare........................... 220
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 248
Inflation....................................... 192
Inspection................................... 194
Maintenance............................... 194
Replacing.................................... 195
Rotating....................................... 195
Snow............................................ 197
Specifications............................. 247

Tools, Tire Changing.................... 221

Towing
A Trailer...................................... 147

Emergency Wrecker................. 241

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,
Automatic............................... 178

Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 179
Fluid Selection............................ 178

Identification Number............... 244

Shifting the Automatic..............136
Shifting the Manual................... 134

Treadwear...................................... 248

Trip Meter........................................ 57

Trunk................................................. 73

Opening......................................... 73

Open Monitor Light.................... 55

Turn Signals..................................... 62

Underside, Cleaning...................... 216
Unexpected, Taking Care of the........................................... 219