Acura RL (1996-2004 year). Manual — part 358

Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Gauge

Gauge Testing

1. Check the No. 20 (20 A) fuse in the under-dash fuse/

relay box before testing.

2. Remove the engine cover (see page

5-3

).

3. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF, then discon-

nect the YEL/GRN wire from the ECT sending unit,

and ground it with a jumper wire.

ECT SENDING
UNIT

YEL/GRN
WIRE

4. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). Check that the

pointer of the ECT gauge starts moving toward the
"H" mark.

CAUTION: Turn the ignition switch OFF before the
pointer reaches "H" on the gauge dial. Failure to do
so may damage the gauge.

If the pointer of the gauge does not move at all,
check for an open in the YEL/GRN wire.
If the wires are OK, replace the ECT gauge.
If the ECT gauge works, test the ECT sending

unit.

ECT Sending Unit Testing

1. Remove the engine cover (see page

5-3

).

2. Disconnect the YEL/GRN wire from the ECT sending

unit.

YEL/GRN WIRE

(Covered with
insulation)

POSITIVE

TERMINAL

ECT SENDING

UNIT

3. Using an ohmmeter, measure the change in resis-

tance between the positive terminal and the engine

(ground) with the engine cold and with the engine
at operating temperature.

Temperature

Resistance ( )

122°F(50°C)

226

239°F(115°C)

26.4

4. If the obtained readings are substantially different

from the specifications above, inspect the coolant

level and the cooling system. If the cooling system
is OK, replace the sending unit.

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Special Tools

Ref. No.

Tool Number

Description

Page Reference

A973X-041 -XXXXX

Vacuum Pump/Gauge, 0-30 in.Hg

07JAZ-001000B
07PAZ-0010100
07SAZ-001000A
07406 - 004000A

Vacuum/Pressure Gauge,

in.Hg

SCS Service Connector

Backprobe Set
Fuel Pressure Gauge

11-137

,

11-139

,

11-155

,

11-158

,

11-159

,

11-162

,

11-163

,

11-168

,

11-169

,

11-182

,

11-184

,

11-185

,

11-187

,

11-189

,

11-190

,

11-193

,

11-194

,

11-195

,

11-197

,

11-198

,

11-199

,

11-200

,

11-203

,

11-204

,

11-205

11-205
11-40
11-45
11-132, 11-135

For additional 2004 information, refer to page

11-2c

.

Main Menu

Table of Contents

Component Locations

Index

'96 - 99 models:

MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE

PRESSURE (MAP)

SENSOR

EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR)

VALVE and LIFT SENSOR

CONTROL BOX

page

11-11

RIGHT PRIMARY HEATED
OXYGEN SENSOR (RIGHT

PRIMARY HO2S)

(BANK 1, SENSOR 1)

SPARK PLUG VOLTAGE SENSOR
(Built into the IGNITION COIL
Assy.)

INTAKE
AIR
BYPASS (IAB)
HIGH
CONTROL
SOLENOID
VALVE
Troubleshooting,
page

11-156

INTAKE

AIR

BYPASS (IAB)

LOW

CONTROL
SOLENOID
VALVE
Troubleshooting,
page

11-158

SPARK PLUG VOLTAGE
DETECTION MODULE

ENGINE
MOUNT
CONTROL SOLENOID
VALVE
Troubleshooting, see

section 5

THROTTLE
POSITION (TP)
SENSOR

VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR

(VSS)

Troubleshooting, see

section 14

IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE

RIGHT KNOCK SENSOR (RIGHT KS) (BANK 1)

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR

CRANKSHAFT POSITION/
CYLINDER POSITION
(CKP/CYP) SENSOR

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION
(EVAP)
PURGE CONTROL
SOLENOID VALVE

LEFT PRIMARY HEATED
OXYGEN SENSOR
(LEFT PRIMARY HO2S)
(BANK 2, SENSOR 1)

POWER
STEERING
PRESSURE
(PSP)
SWITCH
Troubleshooting,
page

11-120

IGNITION
CONTROL
MODULE

(ICM)

Troubleshooting, see

section 4

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION
(EVAP) TWO WAY VALVE

Testing, page

11-205

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION
(EVAP) BYPASS SOLENOID
VALVE
Replacement, page

11-202

FUEL TANK PRESSURE

SENSOR

LEFT KNOCK SENSOR (LEFT KS) (BANK 2)

INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE (IAT) SENSOR

For Troubleshooting of DTC related components, see chart on page

11-53

.

Main Menu

Table of Contents

Component Locations

Index (cont'd)

'00 - 04 models:

MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE

PRESSURE (MAP)

SENSOR

INTAKE MANIFOLD
RUNNER CONTROL

INTAKE MANIFOLD
RUNNER CONTROL
(IMRC)
SOLENOID
VALVE 2
Troubleshooting,
page

11-158

(IMRC)
SOLENOID

VALVE 1
Troubleshooting,

page

11-158

IGNITION
CONTROL
MODULE
(ICM)
Troubleshooting, see

section 4

POWER
STEERING
PRESSURE
(PSP)
SWITCH
Troubleshooting,

page

11-120

ENGINE
MOUNT
CONTROL SOLENOID
VALVE

Troubleshooting, see

section 5

SPARK PLUG VOLTAGE SENSOR

(Built into the IGNITION COIL

Assy.)

LEFT PRIMARY HEATED
OXYGEN SENSOR
(LEFT PRIMARY HO2S)
(BANK 2, SENSOR 1)

THROTTLE
POSITION (TP)
SENSOR

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION
(EVAP)
CANISTER PURGE
VALVE

CRANKSHAFT POSITION/
CYLINDER POSITION
(CKP/CYP) SENSOR

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR

IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE

RIGHT KNOCK SENSOR (BANK 1)

VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR
(VSS)
Troubleshooting, see

section 14

LEFT KNOCK SENSOR (BANK 2)

INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE (IAT) SENSOR

SPARK PLUG VOLTAGE
DETECTION MODULE

RIGHT PRIMARY HEATED
OXYGEN SENSOR (RIGHT
PRIMARY HO2S)
(BANK 1, SENSOR 1)

CONTROL BOX

page

11-11

EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR)
VALVE and POSITION SENSOR

For Troubleshooting of DTC related components, see chart on page

11-53

('00-'03 models)

11-41

('04 model).

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