Acura RL (1996-2004 year). Manual — part 721

SRS Unit

Replacement

CAUTION:

• Before disconnecting any part of the SRS wire har-

ness, disconnect the airbag connectors, seat belt ten-
sioner connectors and side airbag connectors.

• During installation or replacement, do not bump

(impact wrench, hammer etc.) the area near the SRS
unit.

• Do not damage the SRS unit terminals or connec-

tors.

• Do not disassemble the SRS unit; it has no service-

able parts.

• Store the SRS unit in a clean, dry area.
• Do not use any SRS unit which has been subjected

to water damage or shows signs of being dropped or

improperly handled, such as dents, cracks or defor-
mation.

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio,

then write down the frequencies for the radio's pre-
set buttons.

2. Disconnect the battery negative cable, then discon-

nect the positive cable from the battery, and wait at
least 3 minutes.

3. Disconnect the airbag connectors, seat belt tensioner

connectors and side airbag connectors.

Driver's Airbag:
• Remove the access panel from the steering wheel,

then disconnect the 2P connector between the driver's
airbag and cable reel (see page

24-33

).

NOTE: When the disconnected, the airbag connector
is automatically shorted.

Front Passenger's Airbag:
• Remove the glove box (see

section 20

).

• Disconnect the 2P ('96 - 98 Models) or 4P ('99 - 01

Models) connector between the front passenger's

airbag and SRS main harness (see page

24-33

).

NOTE: When disconnected, the airbag connector is
automatically shorted.

Side Airbag ('99 - 01 Models):

• Disconnect the 2P connectors between the side airbag

and the SRS floor harness (see page

24-33

).

NOTE: When disconnected, the side airbag connector
is automatically shorted.

Seat Belt Tensioner:

• Remove the left and right B-pillar trim panels (see

section 20

).

• Disconnect the seat belt tensioner 2P connectors

from the left side wire harness (driver's side) and the

right side wire harness (front passenger's side) (see
page

24-33

).

NOTE: When disconnected, the tensioner connector
is automatically shorted.

'99 - 01 Models

4. Remove the radio panel assembly (see

section 20

),

then remove the bracket.

5. '96 - 98 Models: Disconnect the SRS main harness

18P connector from the SRS unit.

'99 - 01 Models: Disconnect the SRS main harness

18P connector and SRS floor harness 18P connector

from the SRS unit.

6. Remove the three Torx bolts from the SRS unit,

then pull out the SRS unit.

'96 - 98 Models

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Replacement (cont'd)

CAUTION:
• Be sure to install the SRS wiring so that it is not

pinched or interfering with other vehicle parts.

• When tightening the Torx bolts to the specified

torque after replacement, be careful to turn them in
so that their heads rest squarely on the brackets.

7. Install the new SRS unit.

'96 - 98 Models

SRS Unit

8. '96 - 98 Models: Connect the SRS main harness 18P

connector to the SRS unit, then push it into position
until it clicks.
'99 - 01 Models: Connect the SRS main harness 18P
connector and SRS floor harness 18P connector to

the SRS unit, then push it into position until it clicks.

9. Reconnect the driver's airbag 2P connector to the

cable reel 2P connector, and reinstall the access
panel on the steering wheel.

10. Reconnect the front passenger's airbag 2P ('96 - 98

Models) or 4P ('99 - 01 Models) connector to the SRS
main harness 2P ('96 - 98 Models) or 4P ('99 - 01
Models) connector, then install the glove box.

11. '99-01 Models: Reconnect the side airbag 2P con-

nectors to the SRS floor harness 2P connectors.

12. Reconnect the left side wire harness 2P connector

to the driver's seat belt tensioner and the right side
wire harness 2P connector to the front passenger's
seat belt tensioner. Reinstall the B-pillar trim panels.

13. Reconnect the battery positive cable, then the nega-

tive cable.

14. After installing the SRS unit, confirm proper system

operation: Turn the ignition switch ON (II); the SRS
indicator light should come on for about 6 seconds
and then go off.

15. Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, then enter the

customer's radio station presets.

'99 - 01 Models

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6. Disconnect the side impact sensor 4P connector

from the SRS floor harness 4P connector.

Replacement

After a collision in which a side airbag was deployed,
the side airbag, the corresponding side impact sensor

and seat-back cover, and the SRS unit must be replaced.

CAUTION:
• Before disconnecting the side impact sensor 4P con-

nector(s), disconnect the side airbag 2P connector(s).

• Be careful not to bump or impact the SRS unit and

side impact sensor whenever the ignition switch is
ON (II), or wait at least for 3 minutes after the igni-
tion switch is turned OFF.

• During installation or replacement, be careful not to

bump (by impact wrench, hammer, etc.) the area
around the SRS unit and side impact sensor. The
airbags and side airbags could accidentally deploy
and cause damage or injury.

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the

radio, then write down the frequencies for the
radio's preset buttons.

2. Disconnect the battery negative cable, then discon-

nect the positive cable from the battery, and wait at
leasts minutes.

3. Disconnect the side airbag 2P connector.
4. Remove (see

section 20

):

• Seat assembly
• Front side trim
• Center pillar trim
• Lower anchor bolt

5. Pull back the carpet, remove the two Torx bolts

using a Torx T30 bit, then remove side impact sen-

sor assembly.

Side Impact Sensor

CAUTION: Be sure to install the harness wires so
that they are not pinched or interfering with other
parts.

7. Reconnect the side impact sensor 4P connector to

the SRS floor harness 4P connector.

8. Install the new side impact sensor.

9. Reconnect the side airbag 2P connector.

10. Reconnect the battery positive cable, then the nega-

tive cable.

11. After installing the side impact sensor, confirm

proper system operation: Turn the ignition switch
ON (II); the SRS indicator light should come on for
about 6 seconds and then go off.

12. Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, then enter the

customer's radio station presets.

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SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM

The Acura 3.5RL SRS includes a driver’s airbag located in the steering wheel hub, a passenger’s airbag located in the dashboard above
the glove box, seat belt tensioneres in the seat belt retractors, and side airbags (’99-01 models) in front seatbacks.
Information necessary to safely service the SRS is included in this Service Manual. Items marked with an asterisk (*) on the contents page
include, or are located near, SRS components. Servicing, disassembling or replacing these items will require special precautions and tools,
and should therefore be done by an authorized Honda dealer.

WARNING

To avoid rendering the SRS inoperative, which could lead to personal injury or death in the event of a severe frontal
collision, all SRS service work must be performed by an authorized Honda dealer.

Improper service procedures, including incorrect removal and installation of the SRS, could lead to personal injury
caused by unintentional activation of the front airbags, seat belt tensioners, and side airbags (’99-01 models).

Do not bump the SRS unit. Otherwise, the system may fail in a collision, or the front airbags or the side airbags
(’99-01 models) may deploy when the ignition switch in ON (II).

All SRS electrical wiring harnesses are indicated by yellow color coding. Related components are located in the steering
column, front console, dashboard, dashboard lower panel, in the dashboard above the glove box, in the front seats
(’99-01 models) and around the floor (’99-01 models). Do not use electrical test equipment on these circuits.

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