2004 Acura RSX check engine

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator. Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise without pushing
down to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine, and set the
temperature control lever to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
7.
8.9.
6. 5.
10.
11.
215
215
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
203
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
).
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
3. 4.
125 164 215
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency T owing
204
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.

If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
or replace it. Tightening the cap will
not make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
days of normal driving.
If the indicator remains on, or the
f uel cap was not loose or missing,
have your vehicle checked by the
dealer as soon as possible.
If the indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emission control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance,
continued operation may cause
serious damage.
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed206
NOTICE: If you keep driving with the
Malf unction Indicator Lamp on, you
can damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and the engine. Those repairs
may not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or 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 vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes several
days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), without
starting the engine. The Malf unction
Indicator Lamp will come on f or 20
seconds.If itthengoesoff,the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks
f ive times, the readiness codes are
not set. If possible, do not take your
vehicle f or a state emissions test
until the readiness codes are set. See
State Emissions Testing on pages
and .229
228
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Readiness Code
207

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#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
237
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
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below for a quotation.
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These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .127
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .66
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 85
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 165
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 22
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
................
Air Conditioning System . 88
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .184
......................................
Antif reeze .168
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .51, 147
...................................
Operation .147
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .65 ..................................
Audio System .92
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 115
..............
Automatic Transmission . 139
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .220
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 169
.......................................
Shif ting .139
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 139
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 139
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 144
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .51, 205
............................
Jump Starting .200
..............................
Maintenance .188
............................
Specif ications .221
..............................
Bef ore Driving .119
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders .85
..................................
Booster Seats .42
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 147
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 121....................
Bulb Replacement .174
...........................................
Fluid .171
.................
System Indicator . 51,208
........................
Wear Indicators .146
.............................
Braking System .146
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 121
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 61
........................
Brights, Headlights .60
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .178
..............................
Brake Lights .178
................
Front Parking Lights . 177
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 176
.................................
Headlights .174
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 178
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 178
............................
Specif ications .221
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .174
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 169
..................................
Engine Oil .125
..........................
Directional Signals .60
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 146
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .167
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 67
......................
Power Door Locks .67
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 222
Downshif ting, 5-speed and6-speed
.............
Manual Transmissions . 136
.....................................
Drive Belts .172
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .133
....................................
Economy .126 .....................................
Fan, Interior .90
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .87
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 122
Filters ...............................................
Oil .165
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 61
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 193
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 169
..........................................
Brake .171
.........................................
Clutch .172
..............
Manual Transmission . 170
..........................
Power Steering .173
..................
Windshield Washer . 167
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .93
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .74
..........................
Four-way Flashers .61
..............................
Economy, Fuel .126
Emergencies ............................
Jump Starting .200
.......................................
Towing .215
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 61
............
Emergencies on the Road . 191
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 200 ...........
Brake System Indicator . 208
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 193
.....
Charging System Indicator . 205
..................
Checking the Fuses . 211
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 204
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 206
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 209
..................
Overheated Engine . 202
......................
Emergency Flashers .61
......................
Emergency Towing .215
.......................
Emissions Controls .225
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 228
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 57
.................................
Drive Belts .172
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 137,143
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .51, 206
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 51,204
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 164
...............................
Overheating .202
............................
Specif ications .220
.......................................
Starting .135
...................
Engine, .135
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 225
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .45 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
F
E
III

............................
Front Airbags .10, 22
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .72
.........................................
Heaters .75
...................................
Airbags .10, 22
.................................................
Fuel .121
......................
Fill Door and Cap .122
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Reserve Indicator .52
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .211
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 126
.........................................
Gasoline .121
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 52
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
................
Gas Station Procedures . 122
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 57
...............................................
Fuel .57 Gearshif t Lever Positions
..........
Automatic Transmission . 139
5-speed and 6-speed Manual
.......................
Transmissions .136
........................................
Glove Box .71
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 174
................................................
Hatch .68
.................................
Opening the .68
............................
Open Indicator .52
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 61
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .174
............
Daytime Running Lights . 60
..................
High Beam Indicator . 52
........................
Reminder Beeper .60
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 174
...................................
Turning on .60
.....................................
Heater, Seat .75
.......................
Heating and Cooling .88
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 135
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 60
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 178
....................................
Hood Latch .173 .......................
Hood, Opening the .123
..................................................
Horn .58
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .172
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 218
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .63
...........................................
Switch .65
............
Timing Control System . 226
........................
Immobilizer System .64
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators ...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 51
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .51
................
Charging System . 51,205
.............................
Cruise Control .52
....................................
Door-open .52
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .53
...................................
High Beam .52
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 53
......................................
Low Fuel .52
................
Low Oil Pressure . 51,204
Index
G H
I
IV