Acura RL. Manual - part 390

Fig. 2: Charging System Circuit Diagram 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING 

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). 

Does the charging system indicator come on?  

YES -Go to step 2. 

NO -Go to step 11. 

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 ELECTRICAL Charging System - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:41:57 PM

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© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

2. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 2,000 RPM for 1 minute. 

Does the charging system indicator go off?  

YES -Charging system indicator circuit is OK. Go to the ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR 
CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING . 

NO -Go to step 3. 

3. Do the gauge control module self-diagnostic function procedure (see SELF-DIAGNOSTIC 

FUNCTION ). 

Does the charging system indicator flash?  

YES -Go to step 4. 

NO -Replace the gauge control module (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ). 

4. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

5. Disconnect the alternator 4P connector.  

6. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). 

Does the charging system indicator go off?  

YES -Replace the alternator (see ALTERNATOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), or repair 
the alternator (see ALTERNATOR OVERHAUL ). 

NO -Go to step 7. 

7. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

8. Connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC). Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and jump the 

SCS line with the HDS, then turn the ignition switch OFF. 

9. Disconnect PCM connector A (31P).  

10. Check for continuity between PCM connector terminal A11 and body ground. 

NOTE:

This step must be done to protect the powertrain control module (PCM) 
from damage.

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 ELECTRICAL Charging System - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:41:57 PM

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© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

Fig. 3: Checking Continuity Between PCM Connector Terminal A11 And Body Ground 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Is there continuity?  

YES -Repair short in the wire between the alternator and the PCM. 

NO -Update the PCM if it does not have the latest software (see UPDATING THE PCM ), or 
substitute a known-good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ), then recheck. If the 
symptom/indication goes away with a known-good PCM, replace the original PCM (see 
SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ). 

11. Do the gauge control module self-diagnostic function procedure (see SELF-DIAGNOSTIC 

FUNCTION ). 

Does the charging system indicator flash?  

YES -Go to step 12. 

NO -Replace the gauge control module (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ). 

12. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

13. Disconnect the alternator 4P connector.  

14. Connect alternator 4P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground with a jumper wire. 

Fig. 4: Connecting Alternator 4P Connector Terminal No 3 And Body Ground With Jumper 
Wire 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 ELECTRICAL Charging System - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:41:57 PM

Page 5 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

15. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). 

Does the charging system indicator come on?  

YES -Replace the alternator (see ALTERNATOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), or repair 
the alternator (see ALTERNATOR OVERHAUL ). 

NO -Go to step 16. 

16. Connect the HDS to the DLC. Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and jump the SCS line with the HDS, 

then turn the ignition switch OFF. 

17. Disconnect PCM connector A (31P).  

18. Check for continuity between PCM connector terminal A11 and alternator 4P connector terminal No. 

3. 

Fig. 5: Checking Continuity Between PCM Connector Terminal A11 And Alternator 4P 
Connector Terminal 3 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Is there continuity?  

YES -Update the PCM if it does not have the latest software (see UPDATING THE PCM ), or 
substitute a known-good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ), then recheck. If the 
symptom/indication goes away with a known-good PCM, replace the original PCM (see PCM 
REPLACEMENT ). 

NO -Repair open in the wire between the alternator and the PCM. 

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING 

1. Make sure the battery connections are good and the battery is fully charged (see BATTERY TEST ). 

2. Remove the engine cover (see step 4 under REMOVAL ).  

3. Connect a VAT-40 (or equivalent tester), and turn the selector switch to position 1 (starting). 

NOTE:

This step must be done to protect the PCM from damage.

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 ELECTRICAL Charging System - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:41:57 PM

Page 6 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.