Service Bulletin 03-015

Applies To: 1999–03 3.2TL – ALL August 11, 2003

2001–03 3.2CL – ALL
2001–02 MDX – ALL
2003 MDX – From VIN 2HNYD18..3H500001 thru 2HNYD18..3H543590

Remote Audio Controls Do Not Work Properly

(Supersedes 03-015, 2001–03 MDX: Remote Audio Controls Do Not Work Properly, dated March 31, 2003)

SYMPTOM 3. Remove the access panel from under the steering

When you turn the steering wheel, the remote audio wheel.
controls do not work properly. 4. 2001–02 models: Unplug the cable reel 2P
connector from the driver’s airbag 2P connector.

PROBABLE CAUSE CABLE REEL

The steering shaft resistance varies because the 2P CONNECTOR
ground path does not have full contact through the
bearing.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Dimple the copper shield on the steering column ball
bearing in eight places.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

In warranty: The normal warranty applies. ACCESS
DRIVER'S AIRBAG PANEL
Operation Number: 510020 2P CONNECTOR
Flat Rate Time: 1.5 hours
2003 models: Unplug the cable reel 4P connector
Failed Part: P/N 53200-S3V-A02
from the driver’s airbag 4P connector.
Defect Code: 066
Contention Code: B02
CABLE REEL
Template ID: 03-015A 4P CONNECTOR
Skill Level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty: Any repair performed after warranty
expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by
the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone
Office. You must request consideration, and get a ACCESS
decision, before starting work. PANEL

REPAIR PROCEDURE A - MDX DRIVERS AIRBAG

4P CONNECTOR
NOTE: Before doing any repairs or services, review the
SRS components in this area (see page 23-15 of the NOTE: When unplugged, the driver’s airbag
2001–02 and 2003 MDX Service Manuals) and the connector is automatically shorted.
precautions and procedures (see page 23-16).
1. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the
radio and the navigation system (if equipped). Write
down your customer’s radio station presets.
2. Disconnect the battery negative cable. Wait at least
3 minutes before continuing.

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved BTB 25088-25675 (0308) 1 of 9
CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,
and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Acura automobile dealer.
5. Remove the two steering wheel covers. Use a Torx 8. 2001–02 models: Remove the steering wheel nut.
T30 bit to remove the two Torx bolts. Unplug the Make an alignment mark on the steering wheel
horn wire, and remove the driver’s airbag. shaft with a paint stripe.
2003 models: Remove the steering wheel bolt.
Make an alignment mark on the steering wheel
DRIVER'S
AIRBAG
shaft with a paint stripe.
9. Using a commercially available steering wheel
puller, release the steering wheel from the steering
shaft. While pulling the steering wheel, note these
items:
• Do not tap on the steering wheel or the steering
STEERING column shaft when removing the steering wheel.
WHEEL
STEERING
WHEEL
COVER • If you thread the puller bolts into the wheel hub
COVER more than five threads, the bolts will hit the cable
reel and damage it. To prevent this, install a pair
of jam nuts five threads up on each puller bolt.
PULLER
STEERING BOLTS STEERING
WHEEL WHEEL PULLER
TORX
BOLTS

6. 2001–02 models: Unplug the connectors from the

remote audio and cruise control switches.
REMOTE CRUISE
AUDIO CONTROL

PRESSURE
BOLT

JAM NUTS

10. Remove the steering wheel puller, and then

remove the steering wheel from the steering
column.
11. Remove the dashboard lower cover.

2003 models: Unplug the connectors from the horn,

remote audio, and cruise control switches.
HORN REMOTE AUDIO

CRUISE CONTROL

7. Make sure the front wheels are aligned straight

ahead.

2 of 9 03-015
12. Remove the upper and lower steering column 2003 models: Unplug the SRS main harness 4P
covers. connector and the dashboard wire harness 5P
UPPER
connector from the cable reel 4P and 5P
COLUMN connectors. Release the tab, and then remove the
COVER cable reel from the column.
TAB

LOWER
COLUMN
COVER

5P
CONNECTOR

CABLE
REEL

COLUMN COVER
SCREWS 4P CONNECTOR

13. 2001–02 models: Unplug the SRS main harness 14. 2001–02 models: Unplug the headlights switch 14P
2P connector, and then detach the dashboard wire connector and the wiper/washer 8P connector.
harness 4P connector from the cable reel. Remove Remove the three screws from the combination
the screws from the cable reel, and then remove switch assembly, and then remove the combination
the cable reel from the column. switch from the steering column.
CABLE REEL SCREWS 2003 models: Unplug the headlights switch 14P
connector, the steering angle sensor 5P connector,
and the wiper/washer 8P connector. Remove the
three screws from the combination switch
assembly, and then remove the combination switch
from the steering column.
REAR WIPER/WASHER
8P CONNECTOR
SRS MAIN WIPER/WASHER
HARNESS HEADLIGHTS 8P CONNECTOR
2P CONNECTOR SWITCH
14P CONNECTOR STEERING ANGLE SENSOR
5P CONNECTOR
STEERING ('03 model only)
COLUMN
COMBINATION
SWITCH
ASSEMBLY
CABLE REEL
4P CONNECTOR

STEERING
COLUMN
BALL COPPER
SHIELD SCREWS
BEARINGS

03-015 3 of 9
15. Use a small, flat-tipped screwdriver to lightly dimple 18. Carefully reinstall the cable reel with the original
the shield in eight places as shown. screws.

19. 2001–02 models: Reconnect the SRS main

NOTICE harness 2P connector and the cable reel 2P
Do not press too hard with the screwdriver when connector, and then plug the dashboard wire
dimpling the shield. The dimples should be deep harness 4P connector and cable reel 4P connector
enough to catch your fingernail on. If the dimples together.
are too deep, the steering effort will be too high, 2003 models: Reconnect the SRS main harness 4P
and the steering column will have to be replaced. and dashboard wire harness 5P connectors to the
COPPER SHIELD
cable reel 4P and 5P connectors.
(Lightly dimple in
eight places, 20. Reinstall the upper and lower steering column
evenly spaced.) covers with the original screws.

21. If needed, center the cable reel by first rotating the

reel clockwise until it stops and then rotating it
counterclockwise (approximately two and a half
turns) until the arrow mark on the reel label points
straight up.

22. 2001–02 models: Line up the paint marks, and

reinstall the steering wheel. Torque the nut to
49 N·m (36 lb-ft).
2003 models: Line up the paint marks, and reinstall
the steering wheel. Torque the bolt to
36 N·m (28 lb-ft).

23. 2001–02 models: Plug in the connectors for the

remote audio and cruise control switches.
16. 2001–02 models: Reinstall the combination switch
assembly, and secure it with the three original 2003 models: Plug in the connectors for the horn,
screws. Reconnect the light switch 14P connector remote audio, and cruise control switches.
and both wiper/washer 8P connectors.
24. Reconnect the horn wire, and reinstall the driver’s
2003 models: Reinstall the combination switch airbag. Torque the bolts to 9.8 N·m (7.2 lb-ft).
assembly, and secure it with the three original Reinstall the steering wheel covers.
screws. Reconnect the light switch 14P connector,
the steering angle sensor 5P connector, and both 25. Reinstall the lower dashboard cover.
wiper/washer 8P connectors.
26. 2001–02: Reconnect the 2P cable reel connector to
17. Position the cancel sleeve on the combination the driver’s airbag 2P connector.
switch assembly so that the projections on the
2003 models: Reconnect the 4P cable reel
sleeve are aligned vertically.
connector to the driver’s airbag 4P connector.
VERTICAL
27. Reinstall the upper and lower steering column
CANCEL
covers.
SLEEVE
28. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

29. Do the idle learn procedure:

• Make sure all electrical items are turned off, then
start the engine.
PROJECTIONS
• Let the engine reach its normal operating
temperature (the cooling fan cycles twice).
• Let the engine idle (throttle fully closed and with
all electrical items off) for 10 minutes.

4 of 9 03-015
30. When you start the engine, check that the SRS REPAIR PROCEDURE B - 3.2CL/3.2TL
system indicator comes on and then goes off after
NOTE: Before doing any repairs or services, review the
a few seconds.
SRS components in this area and the precautions and
31. Check the operation of the horn, the turn signals, procedures in the appropriate service manual.
the remote audio buttons, and the cruise control 1. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the
switches. radio and the navigation system (if equipped). Write
down your customer’s radio station presets.
32. 2003 models only: Initialize the driver’s window
auto-up feature: 2. Disconnect the battery negative cable. Wait at least
• Turn the ignition switch to ON (II). 3 minutes before continuing.
• Make sure the driver’s window is fully closed.
3. Remove the access panel from under the steering
• Push down and hold the window switch. Make wheel.
sure the window goes all the way down.
• Pull back and hold the window switch. Make sure 4. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models:
the window goes all the way up, then hold the Unplug the cable reel 2P connector from the
switch for at least 2 more seconds. driver’s airbag 2P connector.

33. Enter the anti-theft codes for the radio and the
navigation system (if equipped), and then enter
your customer’s radio station presets.

34. Set the clock.

CABLE REEL
2P CONNECTOR

DRIVER'S AIRBAG ACCESS

2P CONNECTOR PANEL

2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL: Unplug the cable

reel 4P connector from the driver’s airbag 4P
connector.

CABLE REEL
4P CONNECTOR

ACCESS
PANEL

DRIVERS AIRBAG
4P CONNECTOR

NOTE: When unplugged, the driver’s airbag

connector is automatically shorted.

03-015 5 of 9
5. Remove the two steering wheel covers. Use a Torx 2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models: Unplug
T30 bit to remove the two Torx bolts. Unplug the the connectors from the remote audio and cruise
horn wire, and remove the driver’s airbag. control switches.
CRUISE CONTROL
DRIVER'S REMOTE AUDIO
AIRBAG

STEERING
STEERING WHEEL COVER
WHEEL COVER (1999-01
(1999-01 MODELS)
MODELS)

HORN

7. Make sure the front wheels are aligned straight

ahead.
8. Remove the steering wheel nut/bolt. Make an
TORX BOLTS alignment mark on the steering wheel shaft with a
paint stripe.
6. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models: 9. Using a commercially available steering wheel
Unplug the connectors from the remote audio and puller, release the steering wheel from the steering
cruise control switches. shaft. While pulling the steering wheel, note these
CRUISE CONTROL
items:
REMOTE AUDIO • Do not tap on the steering wheel or the steering
column shaft when removing the steering wheel.
• If you thread the puller bolts into the wheel hub
more than five threads, the bolts will hit the cable
reel and damage it. To prevent this, install a pair
of jam nuts five threads up on each puller bolt.
PULLER
STEERING BOLTS STEERING
WHEEL WHEEL PULLER

HORN

PRESSURE
BOLT

JAM NUTS

10. Remove the steering wheel puller, and then

remove the steering wheel from the steering
column.
11. Remove the dashboard lower cover.

6 of 9 03-015
12. Remove the upper and lower steering column 2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models: Unplug
covers. the SRS main harness 4P connector and the
dashboard wire harness 4P connector from the
UPPER
COLUMN cable reel 4P connectors. Release the tab, and
COVER then remove the cable reel from the column.
TAB

LOWER
COLUMN
COVER

4P
CONNECTOR

CABLE
REEL

COLUMN COVER
SCREWS 4P CONNECTOR

13. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models: 14. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models:
Unplug the SRS main harness 2P connector, and Unplug the headlights switch 14P connector, the
then detach the dashboard wire harness 4P steering angle sensor 5P connector (on Type-S
connector from the cable reel. Remove the screws models), and both wiper/washer switch 8P
from the cable reel, and then remove the cable reel connector. Remove the three screws from the
from the column. combination switch assembly, and then remove the
CABLE REEL
combination switch from the steering column.
SCREWS
2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models: Unplug
the headlights switch 14P connector, the steering
angle sensor 5P connector (on Type-S models),
and the wiper/washer switch 8P connector.
Remove the three screws from the combination
switch assembly, and then remove the combination
switch from the steering column.

SRS MAIN STEERING ANGLE SENSOR COMBINATION

HARNESS 5P CONNECTOR SWITCH
4P CONNECTOR (Type S model only.) ASSEMBLY
WIPER/WASHER
STEERING 8P CONNECTOR
COLUMN

CABLE REEL
2P CONNECTOR

SCREWS

COPPER HEADLIGHTS SWITCH

STEERING SHIELD 14P CONNECTOR
COLUMN
BALL BEARINGS

03-015 7 of 9
15. Use a small, flat-tipped screwdriver to lightly dimple 18. Carefully reinstall the cable reel with the original
the shield in eight places as shown. screws.

NOTICE 19. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models:

Reconnect the SRS main harness 2P connector
Do not press too hard with the screwdriver when and the cable reel 2P connector, and then plug the
dimpling the shield. The dimples should be deep dashboard wire harness 4P connector and cable
enough to catch your fingernail on. If the dimples reel 4P connector together.
are too deep, the steering effort will be too high,
and the steering column will have to be replaced. 2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models:
Reconnect the SRS main harness 4P and
COPPER SHIELD dashboard wire harness 4P connectors to the cable
(Lightly dimple in reel 4P connectors.
eight places,
evenly spaced.) 20. Reinstall the upper and lower steering column
covers with the original screws.
21. If needed, center the cable reel by first rotating the
reel clockwise until it stops and then rotating it
counterclockwise (approximately two and a half
turns) until the arrow mark on the reel label points
straight up.
22. Line up the paint marks, and reinstall the steering
wheel. Torque the bolt to 38 N·m (28 lb-ft).
23. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models: Plug
in the connectors for the remote audio and cruise
control switches.
2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models: Plug in the
connectors for the remote audio and cruise control
switches.
16. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models: 24. Reconnect the horn wire, and reinstall the driver’s
Reinstall the combination switch assembly, and airbag. Torque the bolts to 9.8 N·m (7.2 lb-ft).
secure it with the three original screws. Reconnect Reinstall the steering wheel covers.
the light switch 14P connector, the steering angle
sensor 5P connector (on Type-S models), and both 25. Reinstall the upper and lower steering column
wiper/washer switch 8P connectors. covers.
2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models: Reinstall 26. 1999–01 3.2TL and 2001–02 3.2CL models:
the combination switch assembly, and secure it Reconnect the 2P cable reel connector to the
with the three original screws. Reconnect the light driver’s airbag 2P connector.
switch 14P connector, the steering angle sensor 5P 2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models:
connector (on Type-S models), and both wiper/ Reconnect the 4P cable reel connector to the
washer switch 8P connectors. driver’s airbag 4P connector.
17. Position the cancel sleeve on the combination 27. Reinstall the lower dashboard cover.
switch assembly so that the projections on the
sleeve are aligned vertically. 28. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

VERTICAL
29. Do the idle learn procedure:
• Make sure all electrical items are turned off, then
CANCEL
start the engine.
SLEEVE • Let the engine reach its normal operating
temperature (the cooling fan cycles twice).
• Let the engine idle (throttle fully closed and with
all electrical items off) for 10 minutes.
30. When you start the engine, check that the SRS
PROJECTIONS
system indicator comes on and then goes off after
a few seconds.

8 of 9 03-015
31. Check the operation of the horn, the turn signals,
the remote audio buttons, and the cruise control
switches.
32. 2002–03 3.2TL and 2003 3.2CL models: Initialize
the driver’s window auto-up feature:
• Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
• Make sure the driver’s window is fully closed.
• Push down and hold the window switch. Make
sure the window goes all the way down.
• Pull back and hold the window switch. Make sure
the window goes all the way up, then hold the
switch for at least 2 more seconds.
33. Enter the anti-theft codes for the radio and the
navigation system (if equipped), and then enter
your customer’s radio station presets.
34. Set the clock.

03-015 9 of 9