1996 ACURA RL KA9 traction control

Troubleshooting Precautions

ABS Indicator Light:

The ABS indicator light comes on for 3 seconds and then goes off when the control unit detects no problem during the ini-

tial diagnosis right after the engine starts. However, the ABS indicator light can stay on for up to 40 seconds when the

control unit starts to check for pump overrun, etc. during the initial diagnosis. The ABS indicator light comes on, and the

ABS control unit memorizes the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) under certain conditions.

The parking brake is applied for more than 30 seconds while the vehicle is being driven. (DTC 2-1)

The transmission downshifted excessively. (DTC 4-1, 4-2)

The vehicle loses traction, and the front wheels spin for more than 1 minute when starting from a stuck condition on a

muddy, snowy, or sandy road. (DTC 4-8)

Tire adhesion is lost due to excessive cornering speed. (DTC 5, 5-4, 5-8)

The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road. (DTC 8-1)

The vehicle is interfered by strong radio waves (noise), for example, illegal radio, etc. (DTC 8-2)

NOTE: If there is any trouble in the system, the ABS indicator light comes on during driving.

Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC):

When the control unit detects a problem and the ABS indicator light comes on, the control unit memorizes the DTC.

The control unit has three memory registers. When a problem occurs, the control unit stores the DTC in the first memory

register. If another problem occurs, or the same problem occurs again, the control unit moves the first DTC to the next

memory register, and stores the second DTC in the first register. If there's a third problem occurrence, the two existing

DTCs are moved up one register, and the third DTC is stored in the first register. If problems continue to occur, the oldest

problem is moved out of the last register and lost, and the most recent problem is stored in the first register. When the

same problem occurs three times, the same DTC is stored in all memory registers. (Refer to the Symptom-to-System

Chart for diagnostic period.)

The most recent DTC is indicated first, and the oldest DTC is indicated last.

The DTCs are erased from the control unit when the ABS control unit +B2 power supply or connector is disconnected.

The control unit's memory can be erased by disconnecting the ABS B2 fuse for more than 3 seconds.

Self-diagnosis:

There are three self-diagnoses described below.

Initial diagnosis: Performed right after the engine starts until the ABS indicator light goes off.

Regular diagnosis: Continuously performed (under some conditions) after the ABS indicator light goes off until the

engine stops.

Individual part/system diagnosis: Diagnosis about a specific part/system under its operating conditions.

The CPU (central processing unit) controls the following when it detects a problem during self-diagnosis:

Turns the ABS indicator light ON.

Turns the front and rear fail-safe relays off.

Stops the ABS control.

Stops the ABS pump. (The pump may work under some conditions.)

After the DTC is stored in the control unit, the CPU stops self-diagnosis.ProCarManuals.com

System Description

Outline

Role of System

The traction control is a variable system designed to enhance traction during acceleration and cornering. It does so by

determining the optimum amount of wheel spin for any given driving situation, then suppressing surplus engine power

accordingly.

Construction and Function

The TCS control unit gets signals about the vehicle's speed, direction, and road conditions from sensors at the wheels and

the steering column. Based on these signals, the control unit will determine the optimum amount of wheel spin. Because

the system is variable, the control unit may determine, depending on the driving conditions, that some wheel spin is bene-

ficial (thus enhancing straight-line acceleration), or that no wheel spin is beneficial (thus enhancing cornering). For any

given driving situation, the control unit will determine the amount of wheel spin best suited to the driver's needs and, if

necessary, will then signal the TCS control valve actuator and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to reduce engine power.

The system is automatically "ready" whenever the engine is started, but can be manually canceled with the TCS switch.

However, once activated, the system cannot be canceled until it is once again in the ready state.

Components:

Wheel sensors: The TCS "shares" the wheel sensors with the ABS. The wheel sensors transmit wheel speed signals to

the TCS through the ABS control unit.

Steering angle sensor: The steering angle sensor signals the TCS control unit about the amount of steering angle.

TCS control valve sensor: The TCS control valve sensor signals the TCS control unit about the amount of TCS control

valve angle.

TCS control valve actuator: The actuator gets signals from the TCS control unit and closes the TCS control valve

accordingly.

TCS control unit: The TCS control unit detects the driving condition signals from the sensors and, if necessary, signals

the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).ProCarManuals.com

Construction and Function

TCS Control unit

Driving Control

When the drive wheel speed exceeds the vehicle speed by a given amount, the TCS control unit judges that the drive

wheels are slipping, and it outputs the traction control signal to reduce engine power.

Handling Control

Based on signals about right and left driven wheel rotational speeds, the control unit calculates the vehicle's "yaw" rate

(the turn rate of the vehicle's body). Based on signals from the steering angle sensor, the control unit also calculates the

yaw rate expected by the driver. If the difference between actual and expected yaw rates is substantial — that is, if the

direction of the vehicle's body will exceed the driver's expected line — the control unit signals the TCS control valve actu-

ator and PCM, thus reducing engine power and maintaining the expected line.

Rough Road Control

Based on signals from the wheel sensors, the control unit detects a rough road based on frequency of wheel rotational

vibration. The control unit then signals the TCS control valve actuator and PCM to relax engine power, thus improving

acceleration efficiency.

Grip Control

Based on signals about wheel speed and yaw rate, the control unit determines the efficiency of the grip of the tires on the

road and signals the TCS control valve actuator and PCM to relax engine power if necessary, thus improving grip.

Main Control BlockProCarManuals.com

Engine Output Control

When the TCS is activated, the TCS control unit signals the TCS control valve actuator and PCM. The actuator is linked to

the TCS control valve which is normally returned to the fully open position by the two return springs. Although the throttle

valve is still within the driver's control, the engine output is relaxed by the TCS control valve and PCM to achieve optimum

traction.

TCS CONTROL VALVE SENSOR

TCS CONTROL VALVE
TCS CONTROL VALVE

RETURN SPRINGS

TCS CONTROL VALVE

ACTUATOR (DC MOTOR)

DURING NORMAL DRIVING:
DURING TCS ACTUATION:

TCS CONTROL VALVE

TCS CONTROL VALVE

ACTUATOR (DC MOTOR)
TCS CONTROL VALVE

RETURN SPRINGS

TCS ACTUATION SIGNAL

FROM TCS CONTROL UNITProCarManuals.com

TCS Control Unit Terminal Arrangement

TCS CONTROL UNIT 14P CONNECTOR

Wire side of female terminals

VB: Battery Voltage

Terminal

number

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14
Wire

color

WHT/GRN

BLU/GRY

WHT/RED

BRN/BLK

GRY/BLK

RED

GRY/WHT

LT

GRN/RED

GRY

PNK/BLK

WHT/BLK

BLU/WHT

BRN/YEL

RED/BLK
Terminal sign

(Terminal name)

FRP

(Front right pulse)

WARN1

(Warning 1)

FLP

(Front left pulse)

LG1

(Logic ground 1)

RRP

(Rear right pulse)

TCV

( traction

control valve)

RLP

(Rear left pulse)

TC-INH

(Traction control

inhibit)

STR-B

(Steering B)

TC-STB

(Traction control

standby)

TC-SW

(Traction control

switch)

VREF

(Voltage

reference)

STR-A

(Steering A)

TPS

(Throttle posi-

tion sensor)
Description

Detects right-front

wheel sensor signal

Drives TCS indicator

light (The indicator light

comes on by the

self-bias)

Detects left-front wheel

sensor signal

Ground for the logic

circuit

Detects right-rear wheel

sensor signal

Detects TCS control

valve sensor signal

Detects left-rear wheel

sensor signal

Fl TCS, TCS opera-

tion permission signal

Detects steering angle

sensor signal B

TCS Fl, TCS opera-

tion start signal

Detects TCS switch

signal

Reference voltage for

the sensors of the

PGM-FI system

Detects steering angle

sensor signal A

Detects throttle position

sensor signal
Voltage

Measurement

terminals

1-GND

2-GND

3-GND

4-GND

5-GND

6-GND

7-GND

8-GND

9-GND

10-GND

11-GND

12-GND

13-GND

14-GND
Conditions

(Ignition Switch ON (ID)

Rotate the right-front

wheel.

Indicator light ON

Indicator light OFF

Rotate the left-front

wheel.

Rotate the right-rear

wheel.

TCS control valve is

fully closed.

TCS control valve is

fully open.

Rotate the right-rear

wheel.

Permission (normal)

Inhibition (the coolant

temperature is 0°C or

below)

Failure (TCS and/or

PCM is failure)

Rotate the steering

wheel.

TCS is functioning.

TCS is not functioning.

Push the TCS switch.

Release the TCS switch.

Rotate the steering

wheel.

Throttle valve is fully

closed.

Throttle valve is fully

open.
Output

voltage

About 2.5 V

About 2 V

VB

About 2.5 V

Below 0.3 V

About 2.5 V

About 0.5V

About 4.5 V

About 2.5 V

About 2.5V

(5 V. Duty 50)

About 5 V

About 0 V

5V 0V

0V

About 5 V

VB

0V

About 5 V

5V 0V

About 0.5 V

About 4.5 VProCarManuals.com

TCS CONTROL UNIT 20P CONNECTOR

Wire side of female terminals

VB: Battery Voltage

Terminal

number

1

2

4

5

6

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

20
Wire

color

BLK/YEL

GRN/RED

BLU

PNK/BLU

BLK/WHT

BLK

BRN/WHT

GRN/WHT

BLU

GRN/ORN

BLK/ORN

BRN/BLK

WHT/BLU

BLU/GRY

GRN

BRN
Terminal sign

(Terminal name)

IG1

(Ignition 1)

PARK

(Parking)

SCS

(Service check

signal)

STR-GND

(Steering ground)

AT-SHIFT

(AT shift)

FSR

(Fail-safe relay)

PMG

(Power motor

Ground)

VPM

(Voltage power

motor)

STOP

(Stop)

NEP (Engine

speed pulse)

BARO

(Barometric)

TC-FC

(Traction control

fuel cut)

LG2

(Logic ground 2)

STR-VCC (Steer-

ing power supply)

WARN2

(Warning 2)

SH-MOT

(Shield motor)

MOT +

(Motor +)

MOT-

(Motor -)
Description

Detects ignition switch

IG1 signal

Detects parking brake

switch signal

Detects service check

connector signal

(Diagnostic trouble

code indication)

Ground for the steering

angle sensor

Detects A/T shift posi-

tion signal

Drives fail-safe relay

Power ground for the

TCS control valve

actuator motor

Power source for the

TCS control valve

actuator motor

Detects brake pedal

position switch signal

Detects engine speed

signal

Detects barometric

sensor signal

TCS Fl, Fuel cut

(torque down) signal

Ground for the logic

circuit

Power source for the

steering angle sensor

Drives TCS indicator light

(The indicator light comes

on by the self-bias)

Shield for the TCS con-

trol valve actuator motor

Drives TCS control

valve actuator motor

Drives TCS control

valve actuator motor
Measurement

terminals

1-GND

2

3-GND

4-GND

5-GND

6-GND

9-GND

10-GND

11-GND

12-GND

13-GND

14-GND

15-GND

16-GND

17-GND

19-20

20-19
Voltage

Conditions

(Ignition Switch ON (II))

Depress the parking

brake pedal.

Release the parking

brake pedal.

SCS service connector

connected.

SCS service connector

disconnected.

Shift the transmission

to position, then

start the engine.

Start the engine.

Start the engine.

Brake pedal depressed.

Brake pedal released.

Engine idling

TCS is functioning,

(maximum fuel cut)

TCS is not functioning.

Indicator light ON

Indicator light OFF

TCS is functioning.

TCS is not functioning.

TCS is functioning.

TCS is not functioning.
Output

voltage

VB

Below 0.6 V

VB

0V

5V

Below 0.3V

About 4V

(5V 0V)

VB

1.5V

Below 0.3 V

0V

VB

VB

0V

About 6V

(12V
0V)

About 3 V

About 1.5V

About 4.5 V

(5 V,
PWM)

Below 0.3V

About 5 V

About 2 V

VB

VB

0V

VB

0VProCarManuals.com