1996 ACURA RL KA9 lock

Yaw Rate Sensor

The yaw rate sensor (located in the navigation unit) detects the direction change (angular speed) of the vehicle. The sen-

sor is an oscillation gyro built into the navigation unit.

Sensor Element Structure

The sensor element is shaped like a tuning fork, and it consists of the piezoelectric parts, the metal block, and the support

pin. There are four piezoelectric parts: one to drive the oscillators, one to monitor and maintain the oscillation at a regular

frequency, and two to detect angular velocity. The two oscillators, which have a 90-degree twist in the center, are connect-

ed at the bottom by the metal block and supported by the support pin. A detection piezoelectric part is attached to the top

of each oscillator. The driving piezoelectric part is attached to the bottom of one oscillator, and the monitoring piezoelec-

tric part is attached to the bottom of the other oscillator.

Oscillation Gyro Principles

The piezoelectric parts have "electric/mechanical transfer characteristics." They bend vertically when voltage is applied to

both sides of the parts, and voltage is generated between both sides of the piezoelectric parts when they are bent by an

external force. The oscillation gyro functions by utilizing this characteristic of the piezoelectric parts and "Coriolis force."

(Coriolis force deflects moving objects as a result of the earth's rotation.) In the oscillation gyro, this force moves the sen-

sor element when angular velocity is applied.

Operation

1. The driving piezoelectric part oscillates the oscillator by repeatedly bending and returning when an AC voltage of 6 kHz

is applied to the part, The monitoring-side oscillator resonates because it is connected to the driving-side oscillator by

the metal block.

2. The monitoring piezoelectric part bends in proportion to the oscillation and outputs voltage (the monitor signal). The

navigation unit control circuit controls the drive signal to stabilize the monitor signal.

3. When the vehicle is stopped, the detecting piezoelectric parts oscillate right and left with the oscillators, but no signal is

output because the parts are not bent (no angular force).

4. When the vehicle turns to the right, the sensor element moves in a circular motion with the right oscillator bending for-

ward and the left oscillator bending rearward. The amount of forward/rearward bend varies according to the angular

velocity of the vehicle.

5. The detecting piezoelectric parts output voltage (the yaw rate signal) according to the amount of bend. The amount of

vehicle direction change is determined by measuring this voltage.ProCarManuals.com

Navigation Syste m
System Descriptio n (cont'd )
Item
MW
Nav i
Off Rout e
Outlyin g Area s
PC Car d Slo t
PCM
PCMCI A
PIN
PO I
Polygo n
QWERT Y
SCS connecto r
Security Cod e
Touc h Switche s o r Touc h
Senso r
Tuning
Unverifie d Street s
On-Sta r
Satellite Radi o (X M Radio )
Definitio n
Maneuve r Window . Whil e on-rout e to a destination , thi s windo w display s informatio n
about th e nex t maneuver .
Abbreviatio n fo r th e Navigatio n Syste m
This occur s whe n th e use r leave s mappe d roads . Of f roa d trackin g dot s ("breadcrumbs" )
are displaye d if th e optio n is enable d in Setup . Th e use r ca n us e the m to retur n t o a
mappe d road . Th e botto m o f th e navigatio n scree n wil l sa y "No t o n a digitize d road "
These ar e rura l area s tha t typicall y hav e onl y their main road s mapped . Al l othe r road s
are show n in ligh t brow n fo r referenc e only , sinc e the y hav e no t bee n verified .
The P C Car d (PCMCIA , typ e II ) slo t i s fo r factor y us e only . Mak e sur e tha t th e slidin g doo r
is close d a t al l items , i f opened , a n erro r messag e is displaye d o n th e screen .
Powertrai n Contro l Module . Thi s uni t supplie s th e navigatio n syste m spee d signal .
An compute r industr y define d ter m referrin g t o th e P C Car d slo t standard .
Personal Identificatio n Number , a rando m 4 digi t numbe r create d b y th e custome r t o pro -
tect persona l informatio n
Point O f Interest . Thes e ar e th e businesses , school s etc . foun d unde r th e "places " optio n
on th e mai n men u
Colore d area s o n th e ma p scree n denotin g parks , school s etc . Se e th e Navigatio n
Owner's Manua l "Travelin g t o You r Destination " fo r a lis t o f th e assigne d colors .
Keyboar d layou t resemblin g th e typewrite r keys . Th e keyboar d layou t ca n b e change d t o
a n alphabetica l layou t i n th e Setu p mode .
The 2-pi n connecto r use d t o pu t th e navigatio n syste m int o th e diagnosti c mod e
Code neede d to activat e th e navigatio n system . Th e securit y cod e ca n b e obtaine d fro m
the "IN " b y enterin g th e navigatio n syste m contro l seria l number . Th e seria l numbe r ca n
be foun d fro m th e diagnosti c screen s (Uni t Check , Nav i ECU) , o r fro m th e unde r sid e o f
the contro l unit .
The side s o f th e navigatio n scree n hav e 9 vertica l an d 2 0 horizonta l infrare d beam s tha t
are interrupte d b y th e user' s finge r t o selec t th e desire d function .
A continua l updat e o f interna l navigatio n syste m scalin g factors . Se e th e individua l sen -
sor tunin g discussion s unde r eithe r "Syste m Description" , o r "Syste m Diagnosi s Mode "
(see pag e 23-40 ) i n thi s manual .
These street s hav e no t bee n verifie d fo r tur n restrictions , one-way , etc . The y ar e show n i n
ligh t brow n o n th e map . Yo u ca n ente r addres s destination s i n thes e areas , bu t voic e
guidanc e end s a t th e las t verifie d stree t closes t t o you r destination .
This uni t provide s emergency , an d othe r specialt y service s ove r a cellula r link . Ther e is a
monthl y charg e associate d wit h thi s feature . Th e uni t ha s it' s ow n GP S antenna , an d cel -
lula r phon e antenna . Whe n in use , th e navigatio n guidanc e is muted , an d voic e contro l
system is disabled .
XM Radi o fo r thi s model . Thi s provide s additiona l channel s o f audi o entertainmen t fo r a
fee . Th e X M radi o receive r i s locate d in th e trunk , an d ha s it s ow n independen t satellite ,
and terrestria l antenna s (fo r receivin g th e broadcast s whe n satellit e signal s ar e temporari -
ly blocked) .
ProCarManuals.com

Navigation Syste m
Sympto m Troubleshootin g (cont'd )
GPS ico n is whit e
Diagnosti c Test : Navigatio n Syste m Lin k
NOTE :
• Mak e sur e th e vehicl e i s parke d outsid e an d awa y
from buildings .
• Refe r t o GP S informatio n (se e pag e 23-46 ) fo r real -
tim e satellit e receptio n display .
Befor e assumin g tha t a GP S antenn a receptio n com -
plain t i s hardwar e related , b e awar e o f th e following :
• Th e GP S signa l i s extremel y wea k (abou t on e bil -
liont h th e strengt h o f a radi o broadcas t signa l
receive d b y a radi o antenna )
• I f th e rea r windo w ha s bee n tinte d wit h metalli c
tint, thi s ca n seriousl y degrad e o r bloc k GP S
reception .
• Loos e item s o n th e rea r shel f ca n bloc k satellit e
antenn a reception .
• Aftermarke t device s lik e Lo-Jack , remot e starter s
o r othe r electroni c device s locate d nea r th e navi -
gation uni t o r GP S antenn a ca n potentiall y inter -
fere wit h th e operatio n o f th e navigatio n an d On -
Star systems .
1 . Chec k fo r electroni c aftermarke t accessorie s (possibl y
hidden ) mounte d nea r th e GP S antenn a o r th e navi -
gation unit .
Are there any electronic accessories?
YES—Disabl e th e accessorie s an d recheck ,
NO—G o t o ste p 2 .
2. G o int o th e Diagnosti c mod e an d us e th e "Nav i
Syste m Link " diagnosti c (se e pag e 23-40 ) t o chec k
th e GP S antenna .
Is "GPS Ant" icon red?
YES—Us e th e "Nav i ECU " diagnosti c unde r Uni t
Chec k (se e pag e 23-43 ) t o chec k fo r a kinked , crushed ,
o r disconnecte d GP S antenn a wire . I f ico n i s stil l red ,
replac e th e GP S antenna .
NO—Chec k tha t nothin g is blockin g th e GP S antenn a
locate d unde r th e rea r shel f an d recheck . Substitut e
a known-goo d navigatio n unit , an d recheck .
ProCarManuals.com

Display day/nigh t mod e doe s no t wor k
Diagnosti c Test : Ca r Statu s
NOTE :
• Alway s chec k th e connector s fo r poo r connection s o r
loos e terminals .
• Befor e troubleshooting , ge t th e navigatio n syste m
anti-thef t codes .
• Afte r troubleshooting , ente r th e navigatio n syste m
anti-thef t codes .
1 . Chang e th e day/nigh t mod e t o "AUTO " unde r Set-up ,
an d recheck .
Doe s the display change to day and night modes?
YES—Th e syste m is O K a t thi s time .
NO—G o to ste p 2 .
2 . G o int o th e Diagnosti c Mod e an d us e diagnosti c th e
"Ca r Status " fo r a n IL L signa l (se e pag e 23-45 ) t o
check .
Is the "ILL" signal OK?
YES—Th e syste m is OK .
NO—Chec k th e IL L + circui t betwee n th e navigatio n
uni t an d tailligh t relay .
System lock s u p constantl y
Diagnostic Test : Uni t Chec k
1. Star t th e engin e an d tur n th e ignitio n switc h OFF ,
the n tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) .
Doe s the system reboot?
YES—Th e syste m is O K a t thi s time .
NO—Chec k th e DV D fo r scratche s o r damag e an d th e
navigatio n uni t fo r wate r damage . I f OK , perfor m al l
o f th e "Uni t check " check s unde r Syste m Diagnosi s
Test (se e pag e 23-43 ).
ProCarManuals.com

Navigation System

System Diagnosis Mode (cont'd)

Black Raster

The entire display must be shown in black.

Test Pattern

The chart below; shows the colors being used for the

map and menu screens. This is for factory use only. To

check the color signal use the "RGB Color" diagnostic

found under the Monitor Check menu item.

Monitor Adjustment

This allows the navigation display to be centered. Use

the joystick to move the picture up/down or left/right. It

is unlikely that you will ever need to adjust the monitor

position. The "Default" button will reset the display

position to factory specifications.
Touch Panel

The panel touch sensing system consists of 9 horizontal

and 20 vertical infrared beams. Touching the screen

blocks both a horizontal and a vertical beam. Every pos-

sible touch position is shown on this diagnostic screen.

Touching one of these areas should cause its color to

reverse, and sound a "beep". If any areas of the screen

either don't respond, or respond at some other location

when touched, then replace the display unit. The

"Display" diagnostic listed in Unit Check provides an

additional method to determine if one of the infrared

sources or detectors is bad.

NOTE: Direct sunlight can affect this test by falsely trig-

gering the infrared detectors, so perform this diagnostic

inside or in a shaded area.ProCarManuals.com

Unit Check

Touch the item you want to check and the check starts.
Display

This diagnostic performs additional checks on the com-

munication bus between the control unit and the dis-

play. In addition, the internal electronics and touch

screen functionality are confirmed.

• When the connection is NG, first check for loose ter-

minals at the navigation unit and the display unit

connections. Next check for an open or short in the

communication line between the navigation unit and

the display unit. If the line is found to have an open

or short, replace the affected shielded harness.

• If the ROM or RAM is NG, replace the display unit.

• If the touch sensor is NG, then check for zeros in the

"X", or "Y" values below.

• The version represents the software version in the

display.

• The "1" following the X, indicate the 20 working ver-

tical infrared beams/receptors (from left to right).

The "Is" following the Y, indicate the 9 working hori-

zontal beams (from top to bottom). If any one of the

"1s" is a zero, this indicates that these is a problem

with one of the beams or receptors. Check all around

the inside rim of the navigation screen for dirt or any-

thing that may be blocking a beam. If nothing is

found, replace the display unit. See the display unit

diagram in the "System Description" showing the

infrared beam layout. Individual touch positions can

be verified by running the "Touch Panel" diagnostic

under the Monitor Check menu choice.

NOTE: When selecting this diagnostic from "Unit

Check," quickly remove your fingers from the touch-

screen to avoid a false detection of the infrared sen-

sors.ProCarManuals.com

Navigation Syste m
System Diagnosi s Mod e (cont'd )
GPS Informatio n
This scree n show s th e curren t statu s o f GP S reception .
Th e circula r diagra m show s th e curren t locatio n o f th e
GP S satellite s (yello w numbers ) a s the y woul d appea r i n
th e sky . Th e oute r circl e represent s th e horizo n ( 0 degree s
elevation) . Th e middl e an d inne r circle s represent s 3 0
an d 6 0 degree s respectively . Th e ver y cente r o f th e dia -
gra m (9 0 degree s elevation ) i s directl y overhead .
Naturally, nearb y obstructions , lik e tal l building s wil l
bloc k satellite s i n tha t direction . Tha t i s wh y i t i s neces -
sar y t o b e i n a n ope n are a t o effectivel y troubleshoo t
GP S receptio n issues .
The satellit e number s show n o n th e diagra m corre -
spond t o th e "PRN " numbe r i n th e "GP S Details "
screen . Ther e ar e alway s 2 4 "active " GP S satellite s in
orbit . Becaus e satellite s fail , an d hav e t o b e remove d
fro m service , spare s ar e alway s parke d in orbit , read y t o
b e activated . Thi s is wh y th e PR N (satellit e ID number )
can be greate r tha n 24 .
NOTE : T o us e thi s scree n fo r troubleshooting , th e vehi -
cl e shoul d b e ou t sid e awa y fro m buildings , tal l trees ,
an d high-tensio n wire s fo r a t leas t 1 0 minute s wit h th e
engin e running . Also , mak e sur e th e rea r shel f i s fre e o f
loos e item s tha t ca n bloc k receptio n an d tha t th e trun k
li d is closed .
• Th e "Numbe r o f Satellites " bo x show s th e numbe r o f
acquire d satellite s (maximu m o f 12) . I t shoul d contai n
3 o r mor e icons . I f no t troubleshoo t fo r "GP S ico n i s
white " (se e pag e 23-32 ).
• Th e "Curren t Position " show s latitude , longitude , an d
elevatio n (i n meters) . I f ther e ar e les s tha n 3 satel -
lites , th e elevatio n ca n b e grossl y inaccurate .
• Th e Date/Tim e fiel d show s th e curren t date , an d als o
a tim e tha t include s dayligh t saving s an d othe r off -
set s entere d b y th e custome r i n Setu p scree n 2
"Adjus t Tim e Zone/Clock" .
GPS Detai l
By pressin g an d holdin g th e MEN U butto n fo r 1 0 sec -
onds , a GP S Detai l scree n is displayed . Thi s scree n dis -
play s rea l tim e incomin g satellit e positiona l data . Mos t
o f th e informatio n show n o n thi s scree n i s fo r factor y
use , howeve r som e o f th e dat a ca n indicat e partia l GP S
signa l interference .
• Th e bo x TS/A S an d HDop/VDo p is fo r factor y use .
• Th e Spee d an d Directio n informatio n i s update d i n
rea l tim e whe n driving , an d ca n b e use d t o detec t
intermitten t spee d senso r problems .
• Th e Date/Tim e Informatio n i s th e sam e a s i n Setu p
scree n 2 "Adjus t Tim e Zone/Clock" .
• I f th e "3D " ico n i s show n abov e th e yello w dots , thi s
implie s tha t a t leas t 4 satellite s ar e availabl e fo r ma p
positioning , an d th e "GPS " indicator on th e ma p
scree n wil l b e green . Se e th e "Globa l Positionin g
System " detaile d explanatio n i n th e "Syste m
Description" .
• I f th e ro w o f dat a i n th e tabl e belo w begin s wit h a
"yello w dot" , th e AZ I an d E L field s ca n b e use d t o
locat e eac h satellit e o n th e circula r GP S diagra m (se e
prio r screen) .
NOTE : Th e dat a belo w is a n exampl e only .
Th e tabl e o f value s show n o n th e scree n belo w ha s th e
followin g columns :
If "3D " i s missing , fol -
lo w troubleshootin g
(see pag e 23-32 ).
If al l 0 , then , follo w
troubleshootin g (se e
page 23-32 ).
ProCarManuals.com

Navigation System

System Diagnosis Mode (cont'd)

GPS Offset Time

This screen is for factory use only. It allows adjustment

of the GPS time. This display updates in real time.

• "GPS Time" is the time as received from the GPS

satellites. It is in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

• "System Time" is the internal time used by the navi-

gation unit to calculate your position on the map.

It is also in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

• "Display Time" is the time shown on Setup screen 2

"Adjust Time Zone/Clock", and reflects any changes

due to daylight savings time or time adjustments

entered by the customer.

• Date, Hour, Minute, and "Set" buttons should not be

used.
Mic Level

This diagnostic allows you to independently test the

microphone and the TALK and BACK buttons on the

steering wheel (voice control switch). The microphone

and voice control switch are used to activate the voice

control system. The microphone is located near the map

light in the ceiling. It is directional, and works best if the

voice is coming from the drivers seat.

• Press the TALK button on the steering wheel, and in a

normal voice say "testing". The TALK indicator on

the screen should momentarily become green, and

the text "Now Recording..." should appear in yellow.

In addition, the Mic Level indicator should move at

least to the 6th bar. If the Talk indicator on the screen

does not briefly become green, then check the wiring

from the steering wheel talk button to the navigation

unit. If there is no "Mic Level" movement when you

speak, then you should check the wire running from

the microphone to the control unit.

• Press the BACK button on the steering wheel. This

should cause the Cancel indicator on the screen to

momentarily become green. If it does not briefly

change to green, then check the wiring from the

steering wheel BACK button to the navigation unit.ProCarManuals.com