2005 Acura MDX Service & Repair Manual

2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems DESCRIPTION & OPERATION Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), also known as air bag system, is designed to protect driver and front passenger by activating when vehicle receives a sufficient front-end impact. System includes driver-side air bag, passenger-side air bag, driver and front passenger side-impact air bags, side-impact sensors, SRS unit (with internal safing and impact sensors) and cable reel. See Fig. 1 . The main circuit in SRS unit senses and judges force of impact and, if necessary, ignites inflator charges in air bag assemblies, causing air bags to inflate. If battery voltage is too low or power is disconnected due to impact, voltage regulator and back-up power circuit keeps voltage at a constant level. Side-impact air bags are located in each front seat back. Side-impact air bags are designed to deploy when a moderate to severe side-impact occurs. Passenger side-impact air bag also includes an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS). This system contains sensors and a control unit, located in passenger's setback, to determine passenger seat's occupant height and position. If OPDS control unit determines passenger seat's occupant head is in deployment path of side-impact air bag, side-impact air bag will be disabled. If passenger side-impact air bag is disabled, side-impact indicator light will come on. If passenger setback is replaced, OPDS control unit must be initialized. See INITIALIZING OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM (OPDS) UNIT under DIAGNOSTICS. COMPONENT LOCATIONS Refer to illustration for component locations. See Fig. 1 . WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS before working on air bag system or related components. 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Fig. 1: Locating Restraint System Components Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK When ignition is turned on, SRS indicator light should come on for about 6 seconds, and then go off. Make sure both horn buttons work. Take a test drive and make sure cruise control switches work. While vehicle is driven, 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

SRS indicator light should not come on or flash. If SRS indicator light does not operate as specified, system must be inspected-repaired as soon as possible. See DIAGNOSTICS . AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Observe these precautions when working with air bag system:  Carefully inspect any SRS part before installing. DO NOT install any part that shows signs of being dropped or improperly handled, such as dents, cracks or deformation.  Use only a digital multimeter to check system. Ensure multimeter output is 10 milliamp (0.01-amp) or less when switched to lowest value in ohmmeter range. A tester with higher output could damage air bag circuit or cause accidental deployment and possible injury.  DO NOT install used SRS parts from another vehicle. When making SRS repairs, use only new parts.  Except when indicated, always disconnect negative battery cable, and wait at least 3 minutes before making SRS repairs.  Whenever ignition is on, or has been turned off for less than 3 minutes, be careful not to bump SRS unit. Air bags could accidentally deploy and cause damage or injury.  Radio contains an anti-theft protection circuit. Be sure to get anti-theft code number before disconnecting battery cables.  DO NOT try to disassemble air bags or SRS unit. There are no serviceable parts. Once an air bag has been deployed, it cannot be repaired or reused.  Store removed air bags with pad surface up. If air bags are improperly stored face down, accidental deployment could propel unit with enough force to cause serious injury.  Store removed air bags on secure flat surface away from any high heat source and free of any oil, grease, detergent or water.  Store SRS unit in cool and dry place. DO NOT spill water or oil on SRS unit, and keep away from dust.  Disconnect air bag connectors before disconnecting SRS harness connectors.  Ensure SRS unit is installed securely. ADJUSTMENTS CABLE REEL CENTERING With cable reel installed, rotate cable reel fully clockwise. Rotate cable reel counterclockwise about 2 1-2 turns until arrow mark on cable reel label points straight up. See Fig. 2 . NOTE: New replacement cable reels are pre-centered. 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Fig. 2: Centering Cable Reel Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

SPRING-LOADED LOCK CONNECTORS To disconnect, pull spring-loaded sleeve toward stop while holding opposite half of connector. Then pull connector halves apart. Be sure to pull on sleeve and not on connector itself. See Fig. 3 . To connect, hold pawl-side connector half, and press on back of sleeve-side connector half in direction shown. As connector halves are pressed together, sleeve is pushed back by pawl. DO NOT touch sleeve. When connector halves are completely connected, pawl is released, and spring-loaded sleeve locks connector. When backprobing spring-loaded lock connectors, remove retainer before inserting test probes from wire side. Carefully pry out retainer with flat-tip screwdriver. Retainer may be discarded after removal. NOTE: Radio contains an anti-theft protection circuit. Be sure to obtain anti-theft code number before disconnecting battery cables. 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Fig. 3: Identifying Spring - loaded Lock Connectors Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. DISABLING SYSTEM To disable air bag system, disconnect negative battery cable and wait 3 minutes before working on air bag system or related components. ACTIVATING SYSTEM To activate air bag system, reconnect negative battery cable. Perform SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

DISPOSAL PROCEDURES Before scrapping any air bags or seat belt tensioners, including those installed in a vehicle to be scrapped, they must be deployed. Treat undeployed air bags and seat belt tensioners with extreme care. Wear safety glasses and gloves when handling deployed them. Wash hands and rinse well with water after handling deployed air bag assemblies and seat belt tensioners. If vehicle is still within warranty period, contact manufacturer for disposal instructions before deploying air bags. AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT On-vehicle 1. Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disconnect negative battery cable. Ensure proper operation of Deployment Tool (07HAZ-SG00500) by connecting a 12-volt battery per instructions supplied with tool. 2. To deploy driver-side air bag, remove access panel from bottom of steering wheel and disconnect driver- side air bag 2-pin connector from cable reel connector. To deploy passenger-side air bag, remove glove box and disconnect passenger-side air bag 4-pin connector from SRS main harness. 3. To deploy side-impact air bag, disconnect side-impact air bag 2-pin connector from SRS floor harness. To deploy seat belt tensioner, remove B-pillar trim panel and disconnect seat belt tensioner connector. Pull seat belt webbing out all the way and cut it off. 4. To deploy air bags and seat belt tensioners, cut off air bag connector and strip back 1" of insulation from wire ends. On passenger-side air bag, twist each pair of like colored wires together and connect one alligator clip to each pair. Connect Yellow alligator clips of deployment tool to uninsulated wire ends. Place deployment tool at least 30' (10 m) feet away from air bag. 5. Connect a 12-volt battery to deployment tool. If Red light on deployment tool comes on, go to next step. If Green light on deployment tool comes on, ignitor circuit is faulty. See DAMAGED AIR BAG SPECIAL PROCEDURE . 6. Stand at least 30' (10 m) away from air bag. Push deployment switch, being prepared for rapid inflation of air bag and loud noise. If air bag and seat belt tensioner deploys, wait 30 minutes to allow air bag to cool before removing and disposing of complete air bag assembly. Place in a sturdy plastic bag and seal securely. 7. If air bag or seat belt tensioner does not deploy, ignitor circuit is faulty. See DAMAGED AIR BAG SPECIAL PROCEDURE . WARNING: Air bag assemblies become very hot when deployed. Personal injury may result. Wait at least 30 minutes before handling deployed air bag assemblies. Flying debris is possible. Personal injury may result. Ensure air bag assemblies are securely mounted to vehicle. NOTE: If vehicle is to be scrapped, perform on-vehicle air bag deployment procedure. 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Off-vehicle 1. Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Ensure proper operation of Deployment Tool (07HAZ-SG00500) by connecting a 12-volt battery per instructions supplied with tool. 2. Position air bag assembly deployment side up, outdoors on flat ground and at least 30' (10 m) from people or obstacles. Cut off air bag connector, and strip back 1" of insulation from wire ends. Connect Yellow alligator clips of deployment tool to uninsulated wire ends. See Fig. 5 . Place tool at least 30' (10 m) away from air bag. 3. Connect a 12-volt battery to deployment tool. If Red light on deployment tool comes on, go to next step. If Green light on deployment tool comes on, air bag ignitor circuit is faulty. See DAMAGED AIR BAG SPECIAL PROCEDURE . 4. Push deployment switch, being prepared for rapid inflation of air bag and loud noise. If air bag deploys, wait 30 minutes to allow air bag to cool before removing and disposing of complete air bag assembly. Place in a sturdy plastic bag and seal securely. 5. If air bag does not deploy, ignitor circuit is faulty. See DAMAGED AIR BAG SPECIAL PROCEDURE . 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Fig. 4: Deploying Installed Air Bag Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Fig. 5: Deploying Removed Air Bag Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. DAMAGED AIR BAG SPECIAL PROCEDURE 1. If air bag or pretensioner is installed in vehicle, follow appropriate removal procedure. See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION . Remove connector and short together inflator by twisting wires together. 2. Package air bag in exactly same packaging that replacement part came in. Mark outside of box "DAMAGED AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYED" so it is not confused in parts stock. Contact manufacturer for instructions on returning air bag for disposal. POST-COLLISION INSPECTION WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. An undeployed air bag should be considered a potentially explosive device that can cause serious injury. 2001 Acura MDX 2001 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

2005 Acura MDX Service & Repair Manual

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