1996 ACURA RL KA9 cooling

General Info
Specifications
Maintenance
*Engine Electrical
Engine
Cooling
Fuel and Emissions
*TransaxleSteering
Suspension
*Brakes (Including ABS,
TCS and VSA)
*Body
*Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
*Body Electrical
*Restraints
1996±0 4 3.5RL Main Menu
As sections w/ * include SRS components,
special precautions are required when servicing.
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Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor

The HDS or the scan tool indicates Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0116: A range/performance problem in the

Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor.

The ECT Sensor is a temperature dependent resistor (thermistor). The resistance of the thermistor decreases as the engine

coolant temperature increases as shown below.

NOTE: If DTC P0117 and/or P0118 are stored at the same time as DTC P0116 and/or P0125, troubleshoot those DTCs first,

then troubleshoot DTC P0116 and/or P0125.

Possible Cause

• ECT sensor deterioration

• Malfunction in the thermostat and the cooling system

Troubleshooting Flowchart

— The MIL has been reported on.

— DTC P0116 is stored.

Problem verification:

1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.

2. Check the ETC output tempera-

ture or voltage with the HDS or

the scan tool.

Is about 176°F (80°C) or high-

er, or 0.86 V or less indicated?

YES

Problem verification:

1. Note current coolant

temperature.

2. Turn the ignition switch OFF.

3. Cool the engine for 1 hour.

4. Check the ETC output temper-

ature or voltage with the HDS

or the scan tool.

Does the ECT change 3.6°F

(2°C) or more?

NO

Replace the ECT sensor.
NO

YES
Problem verification:

1. Note current coolant

temperature.

2. Start the engine. Hold the

engine speed at 3,000 rpm

with no load (in Park or neu-

tral)
until
the
radiator
fan

comes on, then let it idle.

3. Check the ETC output temper-

ature or voltage with the HDS

or the scan tool.

Does the ECT change 3.6°F

(2°C) or more?
NO

YES

Intermittent failure, system is OK

at this time. Check the thermo-

stat and the cooling system.

Intermittent failure, system is OK

at this time. Check the thermo-

stat and the cooling system.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.com

PGM-FI System

Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor (cont'd)

The HDS or the scan tool indicates Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0125: Engine Coolant Temperature

(ECT) sensor malfunction/slow response.

Is about 86°F (30°C) or less, or

2.61 V or higher indicated?
Intermittent failure, system is OK

at this time.

Check the thermostat and the

cooling system.

YES

Problem verification:

1. Let it idle for 6 minutes.

2. Check the ETC output temper-

ature or voltage with the HDS

or the scan tool.

Is about 86°F (30°C) or less, or

2.61 V or higher indicated?
Intermittent failure, system is OK

at this time.

Check the thermostat and the

cooling system.

YES

Replace the ECT sensor.

11-50
Problem verification:

1. Start the engine, and let it idle.

2. Check the ETC output temper-

ature or voltage with the HDS

or the scan tool.
— The MIL has been reported on

— DTC P0125 is stored.ProCarManuals.com

Thermostat

The HDS or the scan tool indicates Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1486: Range/Performance Problem in

Thermostat.

NOTE: If the DTCs listed below are stored at the same time as DTC P1486, troubleshoot those DTCs first, then recheck for

P1486.

P0107, P0108, P1128, P1129: MAP Sensor

P2227, P2228, P2229: Barometric Pressure Circuit

P1259, P1279: VTEC system

P0401: EGR Flow Insufficient

P0404: EGR Valve Lift Insufficient

P0406: EGR Valve Position Sensor High Voltage

P0125, P0116, P0117, P0118: Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit

P0112, P0113: Intake Air Temperature Circuit

P0345, P0349, P1336, P1337: CKP Sensor 1/2

P0300: Random Misfire

P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306: Cylinder 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 Misfire detected.

P0506, P0507: Idle Control System Malfunction

P0511: Idle Air Control Valve

DTC P1486 can set occasionally when the hood is opened.

Troubleshooting

— The MIL has been reported on.

— DTC P1486 is stored.

1. Turn the ignition Switch OFF.

2. Check the engine coolant

level.

Is the engine coolant level low?

Does the radiator fan keep

running?

YES

Check the radiator fan circuit,

radiator fan switch circuit and

the radiator fan switch.

It they are OK, substitute the

PCM and recheck.

If the symptom/indication goes

away, replace the original PCM.
Refill the engine coolant. If neces-

sary, check the cooling system.

Test the thermostat.
Check for the radiator for circuit:

1. Turn the ignition switch ON

(II).

2. Check the radiator fan.ProCarManuals.com

Stall Speed

Test

CAUTION:

• To prevent transmission damage, do not test stall speed for more than 10 seconds at a time.

• Do not shift the lever while raising the engine speed.

• Be sure to remove the pressure gauge before testing stall speed.

1. Engage the parking brake, and block the front wheels.

2. Connect a tachometer to the engine, and start the engine.

3. Make sure the A/C switch is OFF.

4. After the engine has warmed up to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on), shift into position.

5. Fully press the brake pedal and accelerator for 6 to 8 seconds, and note engine speed.

6. Allow two minutes for cooling, then repeat the test in and positions.

NOTE:

• Stall speed tests should be used for diagnostic purposes only.

• Stall speed should be the same in and positions.

Stall Speed RPM:

Specification: 2,250 rpm

Service Limit: 2,100 - 2,400 rpmProCarManuals.com

Troubleshooting
Symptom Char t
For electrica l malfunction s whic h ar e indicate d b y th e self-diagnosti c system , refe r t o self-diagnosi s functio n (se e nex t
page) .
NOTE :
Check th e engin e coolan t level , an d allo w th e engin e t o war m u p befor e troubleshooting .
An y abnormalit y mus t b e correcte d befor e continuin g th e test .
Becaus e o f th e precis e measurement s needed , us e a multimete r whe n testing .
Befor e performin g an y troubleshootin g procedure s check :
— Fuse s No . 3 7 (4 0 A) , No . 4 7 (2 0 A) , No . 5 0 (2 0 A) , No . 5 6 (7. 5 A ) i n th e under-hoo d fuse/rela y box , an d No . 3 (7. 5 A) , No .
5 (2 0 A ) i n th e under-das h fuse/rela y bo x
— Ground s No . G201 , G301 , G302 , G401 , G402 , G40 4
— Cleanlines s an d tightnes s o f al l connector s
Symptom
Recirculatio n contro l door s d o no t chang e betwee n FRES H an d RECIRCULATE .
Th e blowe r moto r doe s no t ru n immediatel y eve n thoug h th e engin e i s full y warme d
up . (NOTE : Th e temperatur e contro l dia l mus t b e se t betwee n 6 1 °F [18°C ] an d 89° F
[32°C]. )
No heate r an d A/ C in eithe r manua l o r AUT O modes .
Bot h fan s d o no t ru n fo r engin e coolin g (bu t the y bot h ru n wit h th e A/ C on) .
Both fan s alway s ru n a t hig h spee d fo r engin e cooling .
Both fan s alway s ru n a t hig h spee d wit h th e A/ C on .
Radiato r fa n doe s no t ru n a t hig h spee d (bu t condense r fa n run s a t hig h speed , an d
bot h fan s ru n a t lo w speed) .
Condense r fa n doe s no t ru n a t hig h spee d (bu t radiato r fa n run s a t hig h speed , an d
bot h fan s ru n a t lo w speed) .
Bot h fan s d o no t ru n a t lo w speed , an d radiato r fa n doe s no t ru n a t hig h spee d (bu t
condense r fa n run s a t hig h speed) .
Bot h fan s d o no t ru n a t low speed , an d condense r fa n doe s no t ru n a t hig h spee d
(bu t radiato r fa n run s a t hig h speed) .
Bot h fan s d o no t ru n a t lo w spee d (bu t bot h fan s ru n a t hig h speed) .
Bot h fan s d o no t ru n a t hig h spee d (bu t bot h fan s ru n a t lo w speed) .
Compresso r clutc h doe s no t engage .
Bot h fan s an d compresso r d o no t wor k a t all . Se
e pag e
22-3 4
22-3 6
22-3 7
22-3 8
22-39
22-4 0
22-41
22-42
22-4 3
22-4 4
22-47
22-48
22-4 9
22-53
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Radiator Fa n Contro l Senso r Circui t Shor t
NOTE : I t i s norma l fo r bot h fan s t o ru n a t hig h spee d whe n th e syste m pressur e i s
abov e 1,52 0 kP a (15. 5 kgf/cm2, 22 0 psi) , o r whe n th e engin e coolan t temperatur e i s
abov e 194° F (90°C) .
RADIATOR FA N CONTRO L SENSO R 2P CONNECTO R
I s ther e continuity ? Repai
r shor t i n th e wir e betwee n
th e radiato r fa n contro l senso r
an d th e fa n contro l unit . Wir
e sid e o f femal e terminal s
Tes t th e radiato r fa n contro l senso r
(se e Fa n Control s in sectio n 10 ).
I s th e senso r OK ? Replac
e th e radiato r fa n contro l
sensor.
Check fo r loos e wire s o r poo r con -
nection s a t th e fa n contro l uni t
12 P connector . I f th e connection s
ar e good , substitut e a known -
goo d fa n contro l unit , an d
recheck . I f th e symptom/indica -
tio n goe s away , replac e origina l
fa n contro l unit .
Chec
k fo r a n shor t i n th e wire :
1 . Disconnec t th e radiato r fa n
contro l senso r 2 P connecto r
and th e fa n contro l uni t 12 Pconnector .
2 . Chec k fo r continuit y betwee n
th e No . 2 termina l o f th e radi -
ato r fa n contro l senso r 2 P
connecto r an d bod y ground .
Bot
h fan s alway s ru n a t hig h
spee d fo r engin e cooling .
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