Immobilizer System — Acura RSX I (2001-2004)

Scheme 12

Scheme 12: Component Location Index

System Description

The vehicle is equipped with an immobilizer system that will disable the vehicle unless the proper ignition key is used. This system consists of a transponder located in the ignition key, an immobilizer control unit-receiver, an indicator, and the ECM/PCM.

When the key is inserted in the ignition switch and turned to the ON (II) position, the immobilizer control unit-receiver sends power to the transponder in the ignition key. The transponder then sends a coded signal back to the immobilizer control unit-receiver which then sends a coded signal to the ECM/PCM.

Scheme 13

Scheme 13: System Description

If the proper key has been used, the immobilizer indicator will come on for about 2 seconds, then go off.
If the wrong key has been used or the code was not received or recognized by the unit, the indicator will come on for about 2 seconds, then it will blink until the ignition switch is turned OFF.
If the ignition switch is turned OFF, the indicator will blink for about 5 seconds to signal that the unit has reset correctly, then the indicator will go off.
If the customer has lost his key, and cannot start the engine, contact Acura Customer Relations.

IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR BLINKING PATTERN

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Scheme 15: Circuit Diagram

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Scheme 16: Troubleshooting

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Turn the ignition switch ON (II) with a programmed key.
Check to see if the immobilizer indicator comes on. Does the indicator come on? YES - Go to step 3. NO - Go to step 12 .
Check the immobilizer indicator operation. Does the indicator come on for 2 seconds, then go off? YES - Go to step 4. NO - Go to step 6 .
Try to crank the engine. Does the starter motor operate? YES - Go to step 5. NO - Check the starter motor.
Try to start the engine. Does the engine start? YES - If available, check the Status Log in the Immobilizer info with the HDS (see «STATUS LOG»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/door-locks-anti-theft-systems/#immobilizer-system__status-log) ). If the Status Log is not available, the Immobilizer system is OK at this time. NO - Go to step 26
Check to see if the immobilizer indicator comes on and blinks. Does the indicator blink? YES - Go to step 26 NO - Go to step 7.
Disconnect the 7P connector from the immobilizer control unit-receiver.
Check to see if the immobilizer indicator goes off. Does the indicator go off? YES - Substitute a known-good immobilizer control unit-receiver and/or ECM/PCM. NO - Go to step 9.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Remove the gauge assembly and disconnect its 22P (20P*) connector (see «GAUGE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/gauges-instrument-panels/#gauges) ) *: '05-06 models
Check for continuity between the immobilizer control unit-receiver 7P connector No. 5 (IMOARM) terminal and body ground. Is there continuity? YES - Repair a short in the wire. NO - Faulty immobilizer indicator, replace the gauge assembly.
Try to start the engine. Does the engine start? YES - Go to step 13. NO - Go to step 18
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Disconnect the 7P connector from the immobilizer control unit-receiver.
Check for voltage between the immobilizer control unit-receiver 7P connector No. 7 (+B) terminal and body ground. Is there battery voltage? YES - Go to step 16. NO - Faulty No. 9 (7.5 A) fuse in the underhood fuse/relay box. If the fuse is OK, check for an open in the wire between the immobilizer control unit-receiver and underhood fuse/relay box.
Remove the gauge assembly, and disconnect its 22P (20P*) connector (see «GAUGE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/gauges-instrument-panels/#gauges) ). *: '05-06 models
Check for continuity between the immobilizer control unit-receiver 7P connector No. 5 (IMOARM) terminal and gauge assembly 22P (20P*) connector No. 10 (No. 9*) terminal. *: '05-06 models '02-04 models '05-06 models Is there continuity? YES - Faulty immobilizer indicator, replace the gauge assembly. NO - Repair an open in the wire.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Disconnect the 7P connector from the immobilizer control unit-receiver.
Disconnect the ECM/PCM connector E (31P).
Attach the ECM/PCM connector E (31P) No. 7 terminal to body ground with a jumper wire.
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check for voltage between the immobilizer control unit-receiver 7P connector No. 6 (IG1) terminal and body ground. Is there battery voltage? YES - Go to step 24. NO - Check for these problems: Blown No. 6 (15 A) ('02-04 models) or No. 6 (20 A) ('05-06 models) fuse in the underhood fuse/relay box. Blown No. 32 (15 A) fuse in the auxiliary under-dash fuse/relay box ('05-06 models). Faulty PGM-FI main relay 1. An open in the wire between the immobilizer-control unit-receiver and underhood fuse/relay box.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Check for continuity between the immobilizer control unit-receiver 7P connector No. 1 (LG3) terminal and body ground. Is there continuity? YES - Substitute a known-good immobilizer control unit-receiver and/or ECM/PCM. NO - Repair an open in the wire. If the wire is OK, repair G101.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Connect the HDS to the data link connector.
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Look at the System Check in the Immobilizer Info with the HDS (see «SYSTEM CHECK»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/door-locks-anti-theft-systems/#immobilizer-system__system-check) ). Is the immobilizer system normal? YES - Go back to step 1 . NO - Go to step 30.
Verify the System Check display on the HDS for the following information: Harness short from the ECM/PCM to the immobilizer unit. (S-net line short) The communication was not good between the ECM/PCM and the immobilizer unit by battery voltage low. The communication was not good between the immobilizer unit and the ECM/PCM by influence of some noise. Immobilizer unit failure ECM/PCM failure Does the HDS display any of the above information? YES - Go to step 31. NO - Go to step 35 .
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Disconnect the 7P connector from the immobilizer control unit-receiver.
Disconnect the 31P E connector from the ECM/PCM.
Check for continuity between the immobilizer control unit-receiver 7P connector No. 2 (IMOCD) terminal and body ground. Is there continuity? YES - Repair a short in the wire. NO - Substitute a known-good immobilizer control unit-receiver and/or ECM/PCM.
Verify the System Check display on the HDS for the following information: Blown fuse Harness open from the ECM/PCM to the immobilizer unit. The communication was not good between the ECM/PCM and the immobilizer unit by battery voltage low. The communication was not good between the immobilizer unit and the ECM/PCM by influence of some noise. Immobilizer unit failure ECM/PCM failure Does the HDS display any of the above information? YES - Go to step 36. NO - Check the Possible Failures shown on the System Check display (see «SYSTEM CHECK»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/door-locks-anti-theft-systems/#immobilizer-system__system-check) ).
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Disconnect the 7P connector from the immobilizer control unit-receiver.
Disconnect the 31P E connector from the ECM/PCM.
Check for continuity between the immobilizer control unit-receiver 7P connector No. 2 (IMOCD) terminal and ECM/PCM connector E (31P) No. 27 terminal. Is there continuity? YES - Substitute a known-good immobilizer control unit-receiver and/or ECM/PCM. NO - Repair an open in the wire.

System Check

Connect the HDS to the data link connector.
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Monitor the System Check in the Immobilizer Info with the HDS.
If the HDS displays the "Immobilizer system is normal", the immobilizer system is OK. If the HDS displays any other messages, check as follows: POSSIBLE CAUSE Status Log No. System Check Possible Failures A-1 Immobilizer system is not normal This key is not registered in the immobilizer unit. Try to register keys by using "KEYS". The communication was not good between the antenna and the immobilizer key by influence of metal such as key chains. The communication was not good between the antenna and the immobilizer key by battery voltage low. A-2 Immobilizer system is not normal Intermittent interruption between transponder and immobilizer unit. The immobilizer key type is different. It is not for this vehicle but for another one or for other company's one. Key failure (transponder failure) The communication was not good between the antenna and the immobilizer key by influence of metal such as key chains. The communication was not good between the antenna and the immobilizer key by battery voltage low. A-3 Immobilizer system is not normal The ignition switch was turned on with a non-immobilizer key. The immobilizer key type is different. It is not for this vehicle but for another one or for other company's one. Key failure (transponder failure) The communication was not good between the antenna and the immobilizer key by influence of metal such as key chains. The communication was not good between the antenna and the immobilizer key by battery voltage low. Immobilizer unit failure B-1 Immobilizer system is not normal The ECM/PCM was not registered. Try to register the ECM/PCM by using "REPLACE ECM/PCM". The communication was not good between the ECM/PCM and the immobilizer unit by battery voltage low. The communication was not good between the immobilizer unit and the ECM/PCM by influence of some noise. B-2 Immobilizer system is not normal The ECM/PCM was not registered. Try to register the ECM/PCM by using "REPLACE ECM/PCM". The communication was not good between the ECM/PCM and the immobilizer unit by battery voltage low. The communication was not good between the immobilizer unit and the ECM/PCM by influence of some noise. D-1 Immobilizer system is not normal Harness short from the ECM/PCM to the immobilizer unit. (S-net line short) The communication was not good between the ECM/PCM and the immobilizer unit by battery voltage low. The communication was not good between the immobilizer unit and the ECM/PCM by influence of some noise. Immobilizer unit failure ECM/PCM failure D-3 Immobilizer system is not normal Blown fuse Harness open from the ECM/PCM to the immobilizer unit. The communication was not good between the ECM/PCM and the immobilizer unit by battery voltage low. The communication was not good between the immobilizer unit and the ECM/PCM by influence of some noise. Immobilizer unit failure ECM/PCM failure

Status Log

If you suspect there is a immobilizer system problem, check the status log.

Note. Status log may not be available for all models. If you have an updated immobilizer control unit-receiver ('02-04 models) or a '05-06 models, status log should be available.

Connect the HDS to the data link connector.
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
On the HDS screen, select Honda systems, select immobilizer set-up, select immobilizer information, then select status log.
Check the Status log count. Troubleshoot the status with the highest count first. If no counts are listed, the immobilizer system is OK. Continue with normal symptom troubleshooting. POSSIBLE CAUSE Status Log No. Detected Item Probable Cause A-1 KEY CODE MISMATCH (Code format normal, but code data is mismatch) The key was not registered Interference from metal such as key chains Low battery voltage A-2 KEY CODE MISMATCH (Code format failure) Ignition switch was turned on with another type of immobilizer key or aftermarket key Interference from metal such as key chains Low battery voltage A-3 KEY CODE MISMATCH (No key code or non-immobilizer key) Ignition switch was turned on with another type of immobilizer key or aftermarket key Interference from metal such as key chains Low battery voltage Key failure Immobilizer control unit-receiver failure B-1 ECM/PCM CODE MISMATCH (Code format normal, but code data is mismatch) ECM/PCM was not registered correctly Low battery voltage Poor or loose terminal connections at the immobilizer control unit-receiver Communication line electrical noise B-2 ECM/PCM MISMATCH (Code format failure) ECM/PCM was not registered correctly Low battery voltage Poor or loose terminal connections at the immobilizer control unit-receiver Communication line electrical noise D-1 SECURITY-NET LINE PROBLEM (Short to ground) Low battery voltage Poor or loose terminal connections at the immobilizer control unit-receiver and the ECM/PCM Communication line electrical noise D-3 SECURITY-NET LINE PROBLEM (Open line or ECM/PCM failure) Open or short in the harness from the ECM/PCM to the immobilizer control unit-receiver Low battery voltage Poor or loose terminal connections at the immobilizer control unit-receiver and the ECM/PCM Communication line electrical noise

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Scheme 24: Immobilizer Control Unit-Receiver Replacement

Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover (see «DRIVER'S DASHBOARD LOWER COVER REMOVAL/INSTAL»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/exteriorinterior-trim/#dashboard) ).
Remove the steering column covers (see «STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/manual-power-steering/#power-steering-system__steering-column-removal-and-installation) ).
Disconnect the 7P connector (A) from the immobilizer control unit-receiver (B).
Remove the two screws and the immobilizer control unit-receiver from the ignition key cylinder (C).
Install the immobilizer control unit-receiver in the reverse order of removal.
After replacement, rewrite the unit with the HDS, then check the immobilizer system.

Immobilizer System Acura RSX I