1991 ACURA NSX check engine light

Troubleshooting
Self-diagnostic Procedures
I. When the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) has been reported on, do the following: 1. Connect the Service Check Connector terminals with a jumper wire as shown (the Service Check Connector islocated under the dash on the passenger side of the car). Turn the ignition switch ON.
SERVICE CHECK CONNECTOR (2P)

JUMPER
WIRE

2. Note the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): the MIL indicates a code by the length and number of blinks. The MIL
can indicate any number of simultaneous component problems by blinking separate codes, one after another. Codes
1 through 9 are indicated by individual short blinks. Codes 10 through 59 are indicated by a series of long and
short blinks. The number of long blinks equals the first digit, the number of short blinks equals the second digit.
USA:
MALFUNCTION

INDICATOR

LAMP
(MIL) CANADA:

CHECK

ENGINE

LIGHT

See DTC 1

See DTC 3

See DTC 13

See DTC 1 and 3

See DTC 3 and 4

See DTC 3 and 14ProCarManuals.com

3. Fuel Cut-off Control

During deceleration with the throttle valve closed, current to the fuel injectors is cut off to improve fuel economy

at speeds over 1,500 rpm.

Fuel cut-off action also takes place when engine speed exceeds, 8,300 rpm, regardless of the position of the

throttle valve, to protect the engine from over-revving.

4. A/C Compressor Clutch Relay

When the ECM receives a demand for cooling from the air conditioning system, it delays the compressor from being

energized, and enriches the mixture to assure smooth translation to the A/C mode.

5. Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Purge Control Solenoid Valve

When the engine coolant temperature is below 1 58 °F (70°C) the ECM supplies a ground to the EVAP purge control

solenoid valve which cuts vacuum to the EVAP purge control diaphragm valve.

6. Intake Air Bypass (IAB) Control Solenoid Valve

When the engine speed is below 4,800 rpm, the IAB control solenoid valve is activated by a signal from the ECM.

Intake air then flows through the smaller chamber, and hight torque is delivered. To increase air flow at engine speeds

higher than 4,800 rpm, the solenoid valve is deactivated by the ECM, and the intake air flows through the larger

chamber.

7. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Control Solenoid Valve

When the EGR is required for control of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, the ECM supplies ground to the EGR

control solenoid valve which supplies regulated vacuum to the EGR valve.

ECM fail-safe/back-up Functions

1. Fail-Safe Function

When an abnormality occurs in a signal from a sensor, the ECM ignores that signal and assumes a pre-programmed

valve for that sensor that allows the engine to continue to run.

2. Back-up Function

When an abnormality occurs in the ECM itself, the fuel injectors are controlled by a back-up circuit independent of

the system in order to permit minimal driving.

3. Self-diagnosis Function [Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)]

When an abnormality occurs in a signal from a sensor, the ECM lights the MIL and stores the diagnostic trouble code

in erasable memory. When the ignition is initially turned in, the ECM supplies ground for the MIL for two seconds

to check the MIL bulb condition.ProCarManuals.com

Troubleshooting Flowchart

Engine Control Module (ECM)
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
never comes on (even for two se-
conds) after ignition is turned on.
Is the low oil pressure light on?

Turn the ignition switch OFF.

Connect the test harness between
the ECM and connectors (see page 11-37).
Connect A13 terminal to body
ground.

Turn the ignition switch ON.
Is the MIL on?

Measure voltage between body
ground and the following termi-
Is there less than 1.0 V?
Substitute a known-good ECM
and recheck. If symptom/indica-
tion goes away, replace the origi-

nal
ECM. Inspect No. 5 (10 A) fuse in the
under-dash fuse box.
Is the fuse OK?
Repair open in YEL wire between
No. 5 (10 A) fuse and gauge as-

sembly.

Replace the MIL bulb.
Repair open in BLU wire be-
tween ECM (A13) and gauge

assembly.

Repair open in wire between ECM
and G101 (located at right middle of engine) that had more than 1.0

V.
Replace the fuse.
G101
(cont'd)

nals individually:

A23,
A24,

A26,
B2.ProCarManuals.com

(From page 11 -44)
Inspect the IG COIL (30 A) fuse

in the engine compartment

fuse/relay box.
Is the fuse OK?

Turn the ignition switch ON.
Disconnect the 3P connector of
each sensor one at a time: MAP sensor

EGR
valve
lift
sensor
Accelerator pedal angle sensor
Does the MIL remain ON?
Connect the service check con-

nector terminals with a jumper

wire.
Disconnect the 3P connector of

each sensor one at a time:
TP sensor
Ignition timing adjuster

Does the MIL indicate
code 7 or 18?

Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Remove the jumper wire from the
service check connector.
Connect the test harness.

Disconnect the "D" connector

from the ECM only, not the engine

wire harness (see page 11-37).

Check for continuity between

body ground and the following

terminals: D19, D20.

(To page 11-46) Replace the fuse.
Substitute a known-good ECM
and recheck. If symptom/indica-
tion goes away, replace the origi-
nal
ECM.
Replace the sensor that caused
the light to go out upon its discon- nection.
Replace the TP sensor or ignition
timing adjuster. (From page 11-44)

Turn the ignition switch
OFF.

Disconnect "A" con-
nector from the ECM.

Turn the ignition switch

ON.
Is the MIL on?

Repair short to body
ground in BLU wire be-

tween the ECM (A13)
and
MIL.

Continuity?

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.com

Idle Control System
Troubleshooting Flowchart

Alternator (ALT) FR Signal
This signals the ECM when the alternator is charging.
Inspection of ALT FR signal.
Connect the test harness be-
tween the ECM and connector.
Disconnect "D" connector from
the engine wire harness only, not
the ECM (see page 11-37).

Turn the ignition switch ON.

Measure voltage between D9 ( + ) terminal and A26 (-) ter-
minal.
Is there approx. 5 V?
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Reconnect "D" connector to the
engine wire harness.
Warm up engine to normal oper-ating temperature (the cooling
fan comes on).
Measure voltage between D9( + ) terminal and A26 (-) ter-
minal.

Does the voltage decrease when

headlights and rear defogger are

turned on ?

Do the ECM Reset Procedure
(see page 11-35).
ALT FR signal is OK.(To page 11-93) Substitute a known-good ECM

and recheck. If prescribed

voltage is now available, replace
the original ECM.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.ProCarManuals.com

Idle Control System
Troubleshooting Flowchart Automatic Transaxle (A/T) Gear Position
Signal
This signals the ECM when the transmission is in Neutral or Park.
Inspection of A/T gear position

signal.

Turn the ignition switch ON.
Observe the A/T gear position in-
dicator and select each position
separately.

Does the indicator light properly?
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Connect the test harness be-
tween the ECM and connector.
Disconnect "B" connector from

the engine wire harness only, not

the ECM (see page 11-37).

Turn the ignition switch ON.

Measure voltage between B7

( + ) terminal and A26 (-) ter-

minal.
Is there approx. 10V?
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Reconnect "B" connector to the
engine wire harness.
Turn the ignition switch ON.
(To page 11-95) See A/T gear position switch in-
dicator inspection (see section
14).
Substitute a known-good ECM
and recheck. If prescribed voltage is now available, replace
the original ECM.ProCarManuals.com

Idle Control System
Idle Speed Setting
Inspection/Adjustment NOTE: (Canada) Pull the parking brake lever up.
Start the engine, then check that the head lights

are
off.
1. Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature (the cooling fan comes on).
2. Connect a tachometer. Connect a tachometer to loop of ICM second-
ary, or...
TACHOMETER

ICM

Remove the rubber cap from the tachometer
connector and connect a tachometer.
TACHOMETER
TACHOMETER CONNECTOR
RUBBER

CAP
3. Disconnect the 2P connector from the IAC valve.
IAC VALVE
4. Start the engine with the accelerator pedal slightly depressed, then turn the headlights and rear defog-
ger ON. After the MIL comes on, stabilize the

engine speed at 1000 rpm, then slowly release the

pedal until the engine idles.

If the engine stalls, turn the idle adjusting screw
one turn counterclockwise and recheck.
5. Check idling with the headlights and rear defogger
on.

Idle speed should be:
M/T
A/T
550 ± 50 rpm
550 ± 50 rpm (in or range)
Adjust the idle speed, if necessary, by turning
the idle adjusting screw.
If the proper idle speed cannot be achieved,
clean the throttle body port with carburetor
cleaner.

IDLE ADJUSTING

SCREWProCarManuals.com

6. Turn the ignition switch OFF.

7. Reconnect the 2P connector on the IAC valve, then

remove CLOCK fuse in the under-hood fuse/relay

box for 10 seconds to reset ECM.

8. Restart and idle the engine with no-load conditions

in which the headlights, blower fan, rear defogger,

cooling fan, and air conditioner are not operating

for one minute, then check the idle speed.

Idle speed should be:

M/T

A/T
800
50 rpm

750
50 rpm

(in or range)ProCarManuals.com