1996 ACURA RL KA9 engine coolant

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

62. Separate the right engine mount bracket from the

right engine mount, then remove the vacuum hose.

RIGHT ENGINE

MOUNT BRACKET

VACUUM

HOSE

RIGHT ENGINE

MOUNT

63. Separate the left engine mount bracket from the left

engine mount, then remove the vacuum hose.

LEFT ENGINE

MOUNT BRACKET

LEFT ENGINE

MOUNT

VACUUM

HOSE
64. Raise the chain hoist to remove all slack from the

chain.

65. Check that the engine/transmission is completely

free of vacuum hoses, fuel and coolant hoses and

electrical wiring.

66. Slowly raise the engine approximately 150 mm (6 in).

Check once again that all hoses and wires are discon-

nected from the engine/transmission.

67. Raise the engine all the way, and remove it from the

vehicle.ProCarManuals.com

Cylinder Heads

Illustrated Index (cont'd)

CAUTION:

To avoid damage, wait until the engine coolant temperature drops below 100°F (38°C) before removing a cylinder

head.

When handling a metal gasket, take care not to fold it or damage the contact surface.

NOTE: Clean the oil control orifice when installing.

CYLINDER HEAD BOLT

11 x 1.5 mm

76 N-m (7.8 kgf-m, 56 Ibf-ft)

Apply engine oil to the

bolt threads.
EXHAUST GAS

RECIRCULATION

(EGR) PASSAGE
8 x
1.25
mm

22 N-m (2.2 kgf-m,

16 Ibf-ft)

OIL CONTROL

ORIFICES

Remove with 6 x 1.0 mm

bolt and clean.

RIGHT CYLINDER

HEAD GASKET

Replace.

OIL CONTROL

ORIFICES

Remove with 6 x 1.0 mm

bolt and clean.

10 x
1.25
mm

44 N-m (4.5 kgf-m,

33 Ibf-ft)
LEFT CYLINDER

HEAD GASKET

Replace.

8 x
1.25
mm

22 N-m (2.2 kgf-m,

16 Ibf-ft)

DOWEL PIN

DOWEL PIN
GASKET

Replace.

CYLINDER

HEAD

O-RINGS

Replace.
CYLINDER

HEADProCarManuals.com

Radiator
Illustrate d Inde x
Syste m is unde r hig h pressur e whe n th e
engin e i s hot . T o avoi d dange r o f releasin g scaldin g
coolant , remov e th e ca p onl y whe n th e engin e is cool .
Tota l Coolin g Syste m Capacit y (Includin g heate r an d
reservoir )
8.6 (9. 1 US qt , 7. 6 Im p qt )
Reservoi r capacity : 0.6 5 (0.6 9 U S qt , 0.5 7 Im p qt ) CAUTION
: Whe n pourin g engin e coolant , b e sur e t o
shu t th e rela y bo x li d an d no t t o spil l coolan t o n th e elec -
trica l part s o r th e painte d portion . I f an y coolan t spills ,
rins e it of f immediately .
NOTE:
Check al l coolin g syste m hose s fo r damage , leak s o r
deterioratio n an d replac e if necessary .
Chec k al l hos e clamp s an d retighte n i f necessary .
Us e ne w O-ring s whe n reassembling .
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIO NFLUID (ATF ) COOLE R HOSE SRefer t o sectio n 1 4 whe ninstalling .
RADIATO R CA PPressur e testing , pag e 10-7
6 x 1. 0 m m9 N- m (0. 9 kgf-m ,7 Ibf-ft )
RADIATO REngine coolan tRefilling an d bleeding , pag e 10-6Lea k test , pag e 10-7Inspec t soldere d joint s an dseam s fo r leaks .Blow ou t dir t fro m betwee ncore fin s wit h compresse d air .If insects , etc. , ar e cloggin gradiator, was h the m of f wit hlow-pressur e water .
CONDENSE RFAN SHROU D
6 x 1. 0 m m7 N- m (0. 7 kgf-m ,5 Ibf-ft )
O-RIN GReplace .
RADIATO R FA NCONTRO L SENSO R27 N- m (2. 8 kgf-m ,20 Ibf-ft )
FAN MOTO RRADIATO R FA NSHROU D
RADIATO RFAN
LOWE R RADIATO RHOSE
SELF-LOCKIN G NU T5.4 N- m (0.5 5 kgf-m , 3. 3 Ibf-ft )
O-RIN GReplace .
DRAINPLUG
UPPE R RADIATO RHOSE
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolan t Refillin g an d Bleedin g
'96 -0 0 models :
CAUTION : Whe n pourin g engin e coolant , b e sur e t o
shu t th e rela y bo x li d an d no t t o le t coolan t spil l o n th e
electrica l part s o r th e paint . I f an y coolan t spills , rins e it
of f immediately .
NOTE:
Perfor m thi s procedur e whe n th e engin e is cool .
Befor e replacin g th e coolant , tur n th e ignitio n O N (II) ,
slowl y tur n th e climat e contro l temperatur e kno b t o
90° , an d tur n of f th e ignition . Thi s wil l allo w th e
coolan t i n th e heate r t o drai n ou t wit h th e res t o f th e
system .
Whe n th e radiato r i s cool , remov e th e radiato r cap .
Loose n th e drai n plug , an d drai n th e coolant .
DRAINPLUG
DRAI N CA P
2. Remov e th e drai n cap from th e coolan t drai n pip e
t o drai n th e block .
3 . Pu t th e drai n ca p bac k i n place , the n reinstal l th e
cli p o n th e drai n ca p securely .
4 . Tighte n th e radiato r drai n plu g securely .
5 . Remove , drai n an d reinstal l th e reservoir . Fil l th e
tan k halfwa y t o th e MA X mar k wit h water , the n u p
t o th e MA X mar k wit h antifreeze . 6
. Mi x th e recommende d antifreez e wit h a n equa l
amoun t o f wate r i n a clea n container .
NOTE:
Alway s us e onl y genuin e Hond a antifreeze /
coolant .
Fo r bes t corrosio n protection , th e coolan t con -
centratio n mus t b e maintaine d year-roun d a t
50 % minimum . Coolan t concentration s les s tha n
50% ma y no t provid e sufficien t protectio n
against corrosio n o r freezing .
Coolan t concentration s greate r tha n 60 % wil l
impai r coolin g efficienc y an d ar e no t recom -
mended .
CAUTION :
Do no t mi x differen t brand s o f antifreeze/coolants .
D o no t us e additiona l rus t inhibitor s o r anti-rus t
products ; the y ma y no t b e compatibl e wit h th e
coolant .
Engine Coolan t Refil l Capacit y [Includin g reservoi r
(0.65 (0.6 9 U S qt , 0.5 7 Im p qt))] :
6.1 (6. 4 US qt , 5. 4 Im p qt )
7. Remov e th e engin e cove r (se e pag e 5-3 ).
8 . Loose n th e ai r blee d bol t i n th e wate r passage , the n
fill th e radiato r to th e botto m of th e fille r nec k with
the coolan t mixture . Tighte n th e blee d bol t a s soo n
a s coolan t start s t o ru n ou t i n a stead y strea m with -
ou t bubbles .
9 . Wit h th e radiato r ca p off , star t th e engin e an d le t i t
ru n unti l i t i s warme d u p (radiato r fa n come s o n a t
leas t twice) . Then , i f necessary , ad d mor e coolan t mi x
t o brin g th e leve l bac k u p t o th e botto m o f th e fille r
neck .
10. Pu t th e radiato r ca p o n tightly , the n ru n th e engin e
agai n an d chec k fo r leaks .
BLEE D BOL T9.8 N- m (1. 0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator
Engine Coolan t Refillin g an d Bleedin g
'01 model :
CAUTION : Whe n pourin g engin e coolant , b e sur e t o
shu t th e rela y bo x li d an d no t t o le t coolan t spil l o n th e
electrica l part s o r th e paint . I f an y coolan t spills , rins e it
of f immediately .
NOTE:
Perfor m thi s procedur e whe n th e engin e is cool .
Befor e replacin g th e coolant , tur n th e ignitio n O N (II) ,
slowl y tur n th e climat e contro l temperatur e kno b t o
90° , an d tur n of f th e ignition . Thi s wil l allo w th e
coolan t i n th e heate r t o drai n ou t wit h th e res t o f th e
system .
Whe n th e radiato r i s cool , remov e th e radiato r cap .
Loose n th e drai n plug , an d drai n th e coolant .
DRAINPLUG
DRAI N CA P
2. Remov e th e drai n ca p fro m th e coolan t drai n pip e
t o drai n th e block .
3 . Pu t th e drai n ca p bac k i n place , the n reinstal l th e
cli p o n th e drai n ca p securely .
4 . Tighte n th e radiato r drai n plu g securely .
5 . Remove , drai n an d reinstal l th e coolan t reservoir .
Fil l th e tan k t o th e MA X mar k wit h Hond a Al l
Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t Typ e 2 .
6 . Remov e th e engine cover (se e pag e 5-3 ). 7
. Loose n th e ai r blee d bol t i n th e thermosta t housing ,
the n pou r Hond a Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t
Typ e 2 int o th e radiato r t o th e botto m o f th e fille r
neck . D o no t le t coolan t spil l o n an y electrica l part s
o r th e paint . I f an y coolan t spills , rins e i t of f immedi -
ately .
NOTE :
Alway s us e Hond a Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t
Typ e 2 . Usin g a non-Hond a coolan t ca n resul t i n
corrosion , causin g th e coolin g syste m to mal -
functio n o r fail .
Hond a Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t Typ e 2 is a
mixtur e o f 50 % antifreez e an d 50 % water . Pre -
mixin g i s no t required .
8 . Tighte n th e blee d bol t a s soo n a s coolan t start s t o
ru n ou t i n a stead y stream .
9 . Wit h th e radiato r cap off, star t th e engin e an d le t i t
ru n unti l warme d u p (radiato r fa n come s o n a t leas t
twice) . Then , i f necessary , ad d mor e genuin e Hond a
Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t Typ e 2 to brin g th e
leve l bac k u p t o th e botto m o f th e fille r neck .
10 . Pu t th e radiato r ca p o n tightly , the n ru n th e engin e
agai n an d chec k fo r leaks .
Engin
e Coolan t Refil l Capacit y [Includin g reservoi r
(0.65 (0.6 9 U S qt , 0.5 7 Im p qt))] :
6.1 (6. 4 US qt , 5. 4 Im p qt )
BLEE D BOL T9.8 N- m (1. 0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )
ProCarManuals.com