2001 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN ignition

If Your Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting
The Starter Operates Normally In this case, the starter motor's
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper startingprocedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 193 .Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you werenot reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 315).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergency
Towing on page 320 . Jump Starting
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine
by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start a Honda with an automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 260). In very cold
weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: climate control, stereo
system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
A battery can explode if you do

not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTICE

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 182). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 234). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergency
Towing on page 320.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Charging System Indicator

This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
conies on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated controls such as the power windows.Keep the engine running and takeextra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP

(For
L4-
LEV)

This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine's emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may feel no difference in your car's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your car to put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage.
(For V6 and L4- ULEV)

This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. If it comes on

at any other time, it indicates one of

the engine's emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even

though you may feel no difference in

your car's performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
your car to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may

cause serious damage.

If you have recently refueled your

car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or

missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several

times. Replace the fuel fill cap if it is

missing. Tightening the cap will not

make the indicator turn off

immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips. If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the fuel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and driving at high speed.
You should also have the dealer inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving.

If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car's emissions controls and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car's warranties.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

Readiness Codes
Your car has certain "readiness codes" that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not set, the test cannot be completed.
If your car's battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes severaldays of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
If possible, do not take your car for a
state emissions test until the
readiness codes are set. See State
Emissions Testing on page 336.
(For V6 and L4-ULEV)
To check if they are set, turn the ignition ON (II), but do not start
the engine. The Malfunction
Indicator Lamp will come on for
20 seconds. If it then goes off,
the readiness codes are set. If it blinks 5 times, the readiness
codes are not set. See State
Emissions Testing on pages 301 and
302.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Brake System Indicator

BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
The Brake System Indicator normally comes on when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
fully release the parking brake. If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car's
brake system. In most cases, the problem is a low fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 251). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake

pads.

However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will feel the brake pedalgo down much farther before the car
begins to slow down, and you will have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be much longer. Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. Youshould have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See Emergency
Towing on page 320 .)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, driveslowly and cautiously.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

*U.S. indicator shown

Fuses

Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your carstops working, the first thing you
should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages 318 and 319, or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses control that component. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is not the cause. Replace any blown
fuses and check the component's
operation.

1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box. 3. Check each of the large fuses in
the under-hood fuse box by
looking through the top at the wireinside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head screw-
driver.
FUSE PULLER

4. Check the smaller fuses in the under-hood fuse box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse boxes by pulling out each fuse with the fuse

puller provided in the under-hood
fuse box.

Taking Care of the Unexpected BLOWN

Emergency Towing

If you decide to tow your car with all
four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I) so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
freely before you begin towing.
Trying to lift or tow your car by the

bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to

support the car's weight.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE
NOTICE