Acura TSX / Honda Accord CL. Manual - part 698

Retrieving DTC Using Hds Tester 

Ensure ignition is off. Connect HDS tester to 16-pin Data Link Connector (DLC), located under left side of 
instrument panel. Turn ignition on. Following manufacturers instructions, check DTCs. Turn ignition off and 
wait at least 10 seconds. Disconnect HDS tester from DLC. Perform appropriate diagnostic test. See 
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) CHART table. 

Retrieving DTC Using AIR Bag Warning Light 

1. Turn ignition off. Connect HDS tester to 16-pin data link connector, located under left side of instrument 

panel. Follow tester prompts in SCS menu.  

2. Turn ignition on. AIR BAG warning light will come on for about 6 seconds and go off. DTC will be 

indicated next. DTC consists of a main code and a sub-code. Including most recent malfunction, up to 3 
different malfunctions can be indicated. If AIR BAG warning light does not come on, check for short to 
ground or open in SCS circuit before troubleshooting SRS system.  

3. In case of a continuous failure, DTC will be indicated repeatedly. In case of an intermittent failure, AIR 

BAG warning light will indicate DTC once, then will stay on. If both a continuous and an intermittent 
failure occur, both DTC's will be shown as continuous failure. If AIR BAG warning light comes on 
continuously and no DTC is detected, SRS system malfunction may be present.  

4. Retrieve DTC. If DTCs are retrieved, go to DTC chart to continue diagnostics. See DIAGNOSTIC 

TROUBLE CODE (DTC) CHART table. Turn ignition switch to OFF position and wait 10 seconds. 
Disconnect HDS tester from data link connector.  

ERASING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MEMORY 

Erase Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) memory with HDS tester connected to data link 16-pin connector, or by 
connecting an SCS Service Connector (07PAZ-0010100) to Memory Erase Signal (MES) connector. 

Erasing DTC Memory Using Hds Tester 

Connect HDS tester to 16-pin Data Link Connector (DLC). Turn ignition switch to ON position. Select DTC 
CLEAR in TEST MODE MENU on HDS tester. Turn ignition switch to OFF position and wait at least 10 
seconds. Disconnect HDS tester from DLC. 

Erasing DTC Memory Using SCS Service Connector 

1. Turn ignition off. Connect SCS Service Connector (07PAZ-0010100) to Memory Erase Signal (MES) 

connector. See Fig. 30 .  

2. Turn ignition on. AIR BAG warning light will come on for about 6 seconds then go off.  

3. Disconnect SCS service connector from MES connector within 4 seconds after AIR BAG warning light 

goes off. AIR BAG warning light will come on again.  

4. Reconnect SCS service connector to MES connector within 4 seconds after AIR BAG warning light 

comes on. AIR BAG warning light will go off. 

NOTE:

Do not use a jumper wire in place of SCS service connector. Jumper wire may 
be difficult to connect and disconnect quickly enough.

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

  

 

5. Disconnect SCS service connector from MES connector within 4 seconds. AIR BAG warning light will 

indicate that memory is erased by blinking 2 times. Turn ignition off and wait 10 seconds. DTCs are 
erased if AIR BAG warning light comes on for 6 seconds and then goes out.  

Fig. 30: Locating Memory Erase Signal (MES) Connector 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

TROUBLESHOOTING INTERMITTENT FAILURES 

1. Retrieve DTCs. Erase DTC memory. With vehicle in Neutral, start engine and let idle. AIR BAG warning 

light will come on for about 6 seconds and then go off. Shake wire harness and connector. Test drive 
vehicle (quick acceleration, quick braking, cornering), and turn steering wheel fully left and right, holding 
5-10 seconds to determine cause of intermittent failure.  

2. If problem recurs, AIR BAG warning light will stay on. If intermittent failure is not duplicated, system is 

okay at this time.  

INTERMITTENT DTC 11-1 TO 11-9, 11-A & 11-B 

NOTE:

If malfunction occurs, but does not recur, it will be stored in DTC memory as an 
intermittent failure, and AIR BAG warning light will come on.

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

  

 

Check vehicle's service history. If any repair has been done requiring removal of sub-frame, steering wheel or 
steering rack, cable reel may have been incorrectly installed or damaged. 

INITIALIZING OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM (OPDS) UNIT 

1. Using HDS tester, erase DTCs. See ERASING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MEMORY . 

Ensure passenger's front seat is dry. Set seat back in normal position and ensure nothing is on seat. Ensure 
MES connector is not shorted.  

2. With HDS tester connected to DLC, turn ignition on. From HDS tester menu, select SRS, then MISC 

TEST, then ADJUSTMENTS. Select OPDS INIT in ADJUSTMENTS menu. Follow screen prompts to 
initialize OPDS. Turn ignition off and disconnect HDS.  

3. If OPDS system fails to initialize several times, replace OPDS sensor and retry. If OPDS system 

continues to fail to initialize, replace OPDS unit.  

DEFEATING SHORT CONNECTOR 

When SRS unit connector is disconnected, a short circuit is created in the connector to prevent air bag 
deployment. In certain diagnostic test situations, the circuit will be required to be open. When SRS Short 
Canceler (070AZ-SAA0100) is installed in specified connector cavities, short connector is defeated. See Fig. 
31 . Observe the following precautions, when using SRS short canceler: 

z

To prevent damage of the connector cavity, insert the SRS short canceler straight into the cavity, from the 
terminal side of connector.  

z

Before installing SRS short canceler, wash tool with neutral detergent, then blow-dry tool with air.  

z

DO NOT use SRS short canceler, if it is damaged.  

z

Ensure SRS short canceler is removed prior to reconnecting connector. 

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems

  

 

Fig. 31: Installing SRS Short Canceler 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) CHART 

DTC

(1)

Possible Cause

11-1

Open or increased resistance in driver-side air bag first inflator

11-3

Short to another wire or decreased resistance in driver-side air bag first inflator

11-4

Open or increased resistance in driver-side air bag second inflator

11-6

Short to another wire or decreased resistance in driver-side air bag second inflator

11-8

Short to power in driver-side air bag first inflator

11-9

Short to ground in driver-side air bag inflator

11-A

Short to power in driver-side air bag second inflator

11-B

Short to ground in driver-side air bag inflator

12-1

Open or increased resistance in passenger-side air bag first inflator

12-3

Short to another wire or decreased resistance in passenger-side air bag first inflator

12-4

Open or increased resistance in passenger-side air bag first inflator

12-6

Short to another wire or decreased resistance in passenger-side air bag second inflator

12-8

Short to power in passenger-side air bag first inflator

12-9

Short to ground in passenger-side air bag first inflator

12-A

Short to power in passenger-side air bag second inflator

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Acura - Air Bag Restraint Systems