1996 ACURA RL KA9 steering wheel

Navigation System

System Description (cont'd)

Overview

The Acura Navigation System is a highly-sophisticated, hybrid locating system that uses satellites and a map database to

show you where you are and to help guide you to a desired destination.

The navigation system receives signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS), a network of 24 satellites in orbit

around the earth. By receiving signals from serveral of these satellites, the navigation system can determine the latitude,

longitude, and elevation of the vehicle. In addition, signals from the system's yaw rate sensor and the PCM (vehicle

speed pulse) enable the system to keep track of the vehicle's direction and speed of travel.

This hybrid system has advantages over a system that is either entirely self-contained or one that relies totally on the

GPS. For example, the self-contained portion of the system can keep track of vehicle position even when satellite signals

cannot be received. When the navigation system is on, the GPS can keep track of the vehicle position even when the vehi-

cle is transported by ferry.

The navigation system applies all this location, direction, and speed information to the maps and calculates a route to the

destination entered. As you drive to that destination, the system provides both visual and audio guidance.

This navigation system also has voice recognition that allows voice control of most of the navigation functions. The TALK

and BACK buttons on the steering wheel activate the voice control.

The illumination signal is used for two purposes. The display unit uses the signal to light up the hard buttons surrounding

the display. In addition the signal is used by the navigation unit to automatically switch from the "Day" to "Night" display

mode when the headlights are on. This automatic switching occurs only if the "Display" setting in setup screen 1 is set to

"AUTO". If the headlights are on and the customer has the dash light brightness control to "full bright," then this overrides

the "Night" mode.

The use of the audio speakers follows a hierarchy. The highest priority is the OnStar voice, followed by the navigation voice,

and finally the radio/CD. The audio unit enforces this hierarchy. The GA-Net bus is used to pass commands to mute the speak-

ers, and to disable the voice control system. Prior systems used dedicated wires to accomplish this function.

• If On-Star is in use, the audio unit passes a command on the GA-Net bus to the navigation unit to disable the voice control

system. The navigation unit then ignores the voice control switch, and temporarily ceases voice route guidance prompts.

• When the navigation system issues route guidance, the navigation unit uses the GA-Net bus to tell the audio unit to mute just

the front speakers. When the voice control system is being used (the TALK/BACK buttons), the navigation unit uses the GA-

Net bus to tell the audio unit to mute all speakers.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

STEERING COLUMN NOTICE

TO PREVENT SRS DAMAGE, REMOVE STEERING WHEEL

BEFORE REMOVING STEERING SHAFT CONNECTING

BOLT.

MONITOR NOTICE

NOTICE

NO SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER TO SERVICE MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUC-

TIONS.

FRONT SEATBELT TENSIONER WARNING

WARNING

EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL INSIDE

YOU CAN BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR BURNED.

DO NOT TAMPER OR DISASSEMBLE.

NO SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER TO SERVICE MANUAL FOR COMPLETE INSTRUC-

TIONS.

FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG CAUTION

'96 - 99 U.S. model

WARNING

CHILDREN CAN BE KILLED OR INJURED BY A PASSENGER

AIRBAG.

THE BACK SEAT IS THE SAFEST PLACE FOR CHILDREN

AGES 12 AND UNDER. MAKE SURE ALL CHILDREN USE

SEAT BELTS OR CHILD SEATS.

FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG CAUTION

'00 - 01 U.S. models

WARNING

CHILDREN CAN BE KILLED OR INJURED BY PASSENGER

AIRBAG.

MAKE SURE ALL CHILDREN USE SEAT BELTS OR CHILD

SEATS.

CABLE REEL

CAUTION
DRIVER MODULE

DANGER ('97, '98 models)

DRIVER MODULE

WARNING

DRIVER MODULE DANGER ('99 - 01 models)

CABLE REEL CAUTION

INSTALLATION OF THE SRS CABLE REEL IS CRITICAL TO

THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE SRS SYSTEM. REFER TO

THE SERVICE MANUAL DETAILED INSTALLATION

INSTRUCTIONS.
DRIVER MODULE DANGER ('97 model)

DANGER

EXPLOSIVE/FLAMMABLE

CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER OR HEAVY METALS SUCH AS

COPPER, LEAD OR MERCURY MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL AND

IRRITATING GASES OR EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS. STORAGE

TEMPERATURES MUST NOT EXCEED 200°F (93°C). FOR

PROPER HANDLING, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL PROCE-

DURES REFER TO SERVICE MANUAL SRS SUPPLEMENT.

POISON, CONTAINS POISONOUS SODIUM AZIDE AND

POTASSIUM NITRATE.

FIRST AID IF CONTENTS ARE SWALLOWED, INDUCE VOMIT-

ING. FOR EYE CONTACT, FLUSH EYES WITH WATER FOR 15

MINUTES. IF GASES (FROM ACID OR WATER CONTACT)

ARE INHALED, SEEK FRESH AIR.

IN EVERY CASE, GET PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

DRIVER MODULE DANGER ('98 model)

DANGER

EXPLOSIVE/FLAMMABLE

STORAGE TEMPERATURES MUST NOT EXCEED 200°F <93°C).

FOR PROPER HANDLING, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL PROCE-

DURES REFER TO SERVICE MANUAL SRS SUPPLEMENT.

FIRST AID IF CONTENTS ARE SWALLOWED, INDUCE VOMIT-

ING. FOR EYE CONTACT, FLUSH EYES WITH WATER FOR 15

MINUTES.

IN EVERY CASE, GET PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

DRIVER MODULE WARNING

WARNING

THE AIRBAG INFLATOR IS EXPLOSIVE AND, IF ACCIDEN-

TALLY DEPLOYED, CAN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILL YOU.

DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL TEST EQUIPMENT OR PROB-

ING DEVICES. THEY CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTAL DEPLOY-

MENT.

NO SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. DO NOT DISASSEM-

BLE.

PLACE AIRBAG UPRIGHT WHEN REMOVED.

FOLLOW SERVICE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

SIDE AIRBAG CAUTION ('99 - 01 models)

SIDE AIRBAG

THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS IN THE

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT.

DO NOT LEAN AGAINST THE DOOR.

SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR MORE INFORMATION.

SRS
NOTICEProCarManuals.com

Lubrication Points

For the details of lubrication points and types of lubricants to be applied, refer to the Illustrated Index and various work

procedures (such as Assembly/Reassembly, Replacement, Overhaul, Installation, etc.) contained in each section.

No.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22
LUBRICATION POINTS

Engine

Transmission

Brake line (Includes ABS line)

Power steering gearbox

Steering boots

Throttle cable end

Steering ball joints

Shift lever (Automatic transmission)

Pedal linkage

Intermediate shaft

Brake master cylinder pushrod

Fuel
fill
lid

Battery terminals

Trunk hinges and latch

Door hinges upper and lower

Door opening detents

Hood hinges and hood latch

Brake line joints (Front and rear wheelhouse)

Caliper Piston boot, caliper

Pins and boots

Power steering system

Differential

A/C compressor

API SERVICE LABEL API CERTIFICATION SEAL
LUBRICANT

API Service Grade: Use SJ "Energy Conserving" grade oil.

The oil container may also display the API Certification

seal shown below. Make sure it says "For Gasoline

Engines."

SAE Viscosity: See chart below.

Honda ATF-Z1 (ATF)*1

Genuine Honda DOT3 brake fluid*2

Steering grease P/N 08733 - B070E

Multi-purpose grease

Honda White Lithium Grease

Rust preventive

Silicone grease

Genuine Honda power steering fluid*3

Hypoid gear Oil API GL4 or GL5

Viscosity:

at above -18°C (0°F): SAE 90

at less than -18°C (0°F): SAE 80W-90

Compressor oil:

DENSO: ND-OIL8 (P/N) 38897 - PR7 - A01 AH or 38899 -

PR7-A01)

(For Refrigerant: HFC-134a (R-134a))

Recommended engine oil

viscosity for ambient

temperature ranges

*1: Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (ATF). Using a non-Honda ATF can affect shift quality.

*2: Always use Genuine Honda DOT3 Brake Fluid. Using a non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and decrease the

life of the system.

*3: Always use Genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid. Using any other type of power steering fluid or automatic transmis-

sion fluid can cause increased wear and poor steering in cold weather.ProCarManuals.com

STEERING WHEE L
Remova l an d Installation , pag e 17-1 8
Disassembly/Reassembly , pag e 17-1 9
DRIVER' S AIRBA G ASSEMBL Y
Removal/Installation , se e sectio n 2 4
Inde x
NOTE :
• I f a n intac t airba g assembl y ha s bee n remove d fro m a scrappe d vehicl e o r ha s bee n foun d defectiv e o r damage d dur -
in g transit , storag e o r service , i t shoul d b e deploye d (se e sectio n 24 ).
• Befor e removin g th e gearbox , remov e th e driver' s airba g assembl y an d steerin g wheel .
• Afte r installin g th e gearbox , chec k th e whee l alignmen t an d adjus t i t i f necessary .
SR S component s ar e locate d in thi s area . Revie w th e SR S componen t locations , precautions , an d procedure s i n th e SR S
( sectio n 24 ) befor e performin g repair s o r service .
Componen t Location s
RESERVOI RFluid Replacement , pag e 17-1 6
Flui d Leakag e Inspection , pag e 17-2 3
POWE R STEERIN G PUM P
Pum p Bel t Inspectio n an d
Adjustment , pag e 17-1 5
Pum p Pressur e Check , pag e 17-1 7
Removal/Installation , pag e 17-2 4
Disassembly , pag e 17-2 5
Inspection , pag e 17-2 6
Reassembly , pag e 17-2 8
POWE R STEERIN G SPEE D SENSO R
Replacement , pag e 17-1 3
STEERIN G GEARBO XRack Guid e Adjustment , pag e 17-1 6
Removal , pag e 17-3 0
Disassembly , pag e 17-3 2
Reassembly , pag e 17-4 0
Installation , pag e 17-5 1
VALV E BOD Y UNI T
Overhaul , pag e 17-3 6 TIE-RO
D EN D BAL L JOIN T
Bal l Join t Boo t Replacement ,
pag e 17-5 3
STEERIN
G COLUM N
Removal/Installation , pag e 17-2 0
Inspection , pag e 17-2 1
Steerin g Loc k Replacement , pag e 17-2 2
Inspectio n fo r Drivin g Positio nMemory Syste m (DPMS), see sectio n 2 3CABL E REE LRemoval/Installation ,
se e sectio n 2 4
IGNITIO N SWITC HInspectio n an d Replacement ,
se e sectio n 2 3
ProCarManuals.com

Inspection an d Adjustmen t
Steering Operatio n
Place th e fron t wheel s i n th e straigh t ahea d position ,
an d measur e th e distanc e th e steerin g whee l ca n b e
turne d withou t movin g th e fron t wheels .
ROTATIONA L PLAY : 0 - 1 0 m m (0 - 0.3 9 in )
If th e pla y exceed s th e servic e limit, perfor m rack guid e
adjustmen t (se e pag e 17-16 ).
I f th e pla y i s stil l excessiv e afte r rac k guid e adjustment ,
inspec t th e steerin g linkag e an d gearbo x (se e pag e
17-14 ).
Powe r Assis t Chec k wit h Vehicl e
Parked
1. Chec k th e powe r steerin g flui d leve l (se e pag e 17-16 )
an d pum p bel t tensio n (se e pag e 17-15 ).
2 . Star t th e engine , allo w it t o idle , an d tur n th e steer -
in g whee l fro m lock-to-loc k severa l time s t o war m
up th e fluid .
3. Attac h a sprin g scal e to th e steerin g wheel . Wit h th e
engin e idlin g an d th e vehicl e o n a clean , dr y floor ,
pul l th e scal e a s shown . Rotat e th e steerin g whee l
mor e tha n 9 0 degre e angl e b y pullin g th e sprin g
scale . Rea d th e figur e o n th e sprin g scal e whil e th e
steerin g whee l i s in motion .
4 . Th e scal e shoul d rea d n o mor e the n 2 5 N (2. 6 kgf ,
5. 7 Ibf) . I f i t read s more , g o o n to ste p 5 .
5 . Sto p th e engine . Disconnec t th e senso r inle t hos e
fro m th e powe r steerin g spee d sensor , an d plu g th e
hos e an d th e senso r fittin g a s shown .
6 . Star t th e engine , an d le t i t idle .
• I f th e readin g i s stil l mor e tha n 2 5 N (2. 6 kgf , 5. 7
Ibf ) th e powe r steerin g spee d senso r i s OK .
Proble m is i n th e pum p o r valv e bod y uni t (se e
Genera l Troubleshooting) .
• I f th e readin g is no w 2 5 N (2. 6 kgf , 5. 7 Ibf ) o r less ,
powe r steerin g spee d senso r leak s internally .
Replac e th e senso r (se e pag e 17-13 ).
ProCarManuals.com

Assist Chec k a t Roa d Spee d
Assist (excessivel y ligh t steering ) a t hig h speed :
1 . Chec k th e powe r steerin g flui d leve l (se e pag e 17-16 ),
an d pum p bel t tensio n (se e pag e 17-15 ).
2 . Star t th e engine , allo w it t o idle , an d tur n th e steerin g
whee l fro m lock-to-loc k severa l time s t o war m u p th e
fluid .
3. Sto p th e engine . T o simulat e speed s abov e 6 2 mp h
(10 0 km/h) , disconnec t th e hose s fro m th e powe r
steerin g spee d sensor , an d connec t the m to th e
bypas s tub e joint . Plu g th e en d o f th e bypas s tub e
joint .
Powe r Steerin g Spee d Senso r
Replacemen t
1. Disconnec t th e VS S connecto r fro m th e powe r steer -
in g spee d sensor .
2 . Remov e th e senso r mountin g bolt , the n remov e th e
powe r steerin g spee d senso r fro m th e differentia l
housing .
3 . Disconnec t th e senso r inle t an d outle t hoses , an d
plu g th e hos e fittings .
4 . Installatio n is th e revers e o f th e remova l procedure .
5 . Afte r installin g a ne w sensor , tur n th e steerin g
whee l lock-to-loc k wit h th e engine idling t o blee d ai r
fro m th e system .
6 . Chec k th e reservoir , an d ad d flui d if necessary .
BYPASS TUB E JOIN T07406-001010 1(Included wit h07406-0010001 )
4. Attac h a sprin g scal e to th e steerin g wheel .
Star t th e engine ; wit h th e engin e idlin g an d th e vehi -
cl e o n a clean , dr y floor , pul l th e scal e a s shown .
Rotat e th e steerin g whee l mor e tha n 9 0 degree s b y
pullin g th e sprin g scale . Rea d th e figur e o n th e
sprin g scal e whil e th e steerin g whee l i s i n motion .
• I f th e scal e read s mor e tha n 2 5 N (2. 6 kgf , 5. 7
Ibf) , th e valv e bod y uni t i s OK .
Th e powe r steerin g spee d senso r abnormal .
Replac e th e sensor , an d chec k b y roadtesting .
• I f th e readin g is no w 2 5 N (2. 6 kgf , 5. 7 Ibf ) o r less ,
proble m is i n th e valv e bod y uni t o r pum p (se e
Genera l Troubleshooting) .
ProCarManuals.com

Wheel Alignment

Caster

NOTE: For proper inspection/adjustment of the wheel

alignment, check and adjust the following before check-

ing the alignment:

Check that the suspension is not modified.

Check the tire size and tire pressure.

Check the runout of the wheels and tires.

Check the suspension ball joints. (Hold a wheel with

your hands, and move it up and down and right and

left to check for wobbling.)

Inspection

NOTE: Use commercially available computerized four

wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment

(caster, camber, toe, and/or turning angle). Follow the

equipment manufacturer's instructions.

1. Check the steering wheel angle; if significantly off

center, it may be necessary to remove the steering

wheel and reposition it on the splines. Turn the

steering wheel to the straight ahead position.

2. Check the caster angle.

Caster angle: 2°50'±1°

3. If out of specification, check for damaged suspen-

sion components.
Camber

Inspection

NOTE: Use commercially-available computerized four

wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel align-

ment (caster, camber, toe, and/or turning angle).

Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

1. Check the camber angle.

Camber angle:

Front: 0°00'±1°

Rear: -0°30'±1°

2. If out of specification, check for bent or damaged sus-

pension components.ProCarManuals.com