Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2003 Acura 3.2TL BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Brake Pedal Position Switch Signal
- Check brakelight operation. If brakelights operate properly, go to step 3 . If brakelights stay on continuously, check for continuity between specified brakelight switch terminals. See Fig 1 and BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TESTING table. Repair or replace switch as necessary. If brakelights do not come on when brake pedal is depressed, check fuse in underhood fuse/relay box. See FUSE IDENTIFICATION table.
- If fuse is okay, repair open in wire between fuse and brakelight switch. See appropriate wiring diagram under ENGINE PERFORMANCE in WIRING DIAGRAMS. If wire is okay, check brakelight switch. If fuse in not okay, repair short in wire between fuse and brakelight switch. Replace fuse.
- Depress brake pedal and measure voltage by backprobing between specified PCM terminals. See BRAKE SIGNAL TESTING table. See Figure , Figure , Figure , Figure or Figure . See appropriate wiring diagram under ENGINE PERFORMANCE in WIRING DIAGRAMS. If battery voltage is present, brake signal is okay. If battery voltage is not present, repair open in wire between PCM harness connector and brake switch harness connector.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TESTING
| Application | Measure Between Brake Switch Terminals (Wire Colors) |
|---|---|
| MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL | (White/Yellow) & (White/Black) |
| RSX | (White/Green) & (White/Black) |
| 3.5RL | (White/Yellow) & (Green/White) |
FUSE IDENTIFICATION
| Application | Fuse Name | Fuse No. (Amps) |
|---|---|---|
| MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL | STOP | 47 (20) |
| RSX | HORN/STOP | 7 (15) |
| 3.5RL | STOP/HORN | 39 (20) |
BRAKE SIGNAL TESTING
| Application | Measure Between PCM Connector Terminals (Wire Colors) |
|---|---|
| MDX | B39(White/Black) & A40 (Brown/Yellow) |
| RSX | A24 (Brown/Yellow) & E22 (White/Black) |
| 3.2CL (A/T) & 3.2TL | A32 (White/Black) & B20 (Brown/Yellow) |
| 3.2CL (M/T) | E9 (White/Black) & A26 (Brown/Yellow) |
| 3.5RL | A26 (Brown/Black) & E2 (Green/White) |
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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