Second Generation Acura Legend FAQ and DIY

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Contents


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Frequently Asked Questions, Common Problems, and Suggested Fixes

This section specifically covers common problems you may encounter with the Legend and suggested solutions. Basically, if you don't know WHY something is happening with your car, look here. Once you have identified the problem, please refer to the DIY section for detailed procedures on how to fix these problems.

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Body/Exterior

For Foglights & Headlights please see the Electrical Section.

  • Clogged windshield wiper nozzle (aka washer fluid squirter)
  • I have water in my trunk or moisture in my tail lights
    • Replace the tail light gasket. Recommendation: Spend 28c vs $15 by cutting your own out of craft foam. It's the same stuff and costs much less! See DIY Repairs Section for Replacement Procedure
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Brakes

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Electrical

  • My Steering wheel mounted controls (horn, cruise control, and/or radio buttons) have stopped working.
  • Why does my car not start or abruptly dies?
    • If you car doesn't start when its hot or has been left alone for a while (overnight) but starts up and runs great the second time without any problems, check your main relay. The main relay controls your fuel pump and the solder joints within the relay wear out over time. This is a common Honda problem.
    • See DIY Repairs Section for Replacement & Reconditioning procedure.
  • Why is my speedometer not working or erratic?
  • Where can I buy Bose Speakers & what part numbers do I need to order?
  • What bulbs are used in my car?
    • This is a list of bulb types used in a 1994 LS model sedan. All G2 sedans should be the same, with only minor differences for a coupe.
    • External:
      • Low-beams: 9006 (HB4), 51W (x2)
      • High-beams: 9005 (HB3), 60W (x2)
      • Front bumper turn signals: 1156, 27W (x2)
      • Rear turn signals: 1156, 27W (x2)
      • Corner parking lights: 168, 5W (x2)
      • Corner turn signals: 168, 5W (x2)
      • High-mount brake light: 1156, 27W (x1)
      • Lower brake lights (dual filament): 1157, 7W/27W (x4)
      • Upper brake lights (single filament): 67, 8W (x2)
      • Rear corner brake lights: 168, 5W (x2)
      • Reverse lights: 1156, 27W (x2)
      • License plate: 168, 8W (x2)
    • Internal:
      • Visor mirror illumination: special size? Acura part #34273-SP0-013 (28mm festoon) (x2)
      • Gear selector (auto transmission): neo-wedge (x1)
      • Radio backlighting: neo-wedge (x?)
      • Climate control backlighting: neo-wedge (x2)
      • Gauge backlighting: 194, 3.4W (x4)
      • Gauge overhead illumination: 74, 1.4W (x2)
      • Trunk: 3021, 3.4W (31mm festoon) (x1)
      • Glove box: 3021, 3W (x1)
      • Front overhead dome and map lights: 168, 5W (x4)
      • Rear overhead dome and reading lights: 3021, 5W (31mm festoon) (x3)
      • Courtesy lights (in door, front+rear): 3021, 3.4W (31mm festoon) (x4)
      • Footwell lights (under dash): 74, 1.4W (x2)
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Engine/Emissions/Exhaust

  • My car idles low or has a problem maintaining idle.
    • Clean your Throttle Body & Intake Air Control Valve (IACV).
    • See DIY Repairs Section for Throttle Body and Intake Air Control Valve Cleaning Procedure
  • Why do I have an fluctuating idle or erratic idle or fluctuating idle when hot
    • Low coolant in radiator (due to leak), air in the cooling system, vacuum leak, or BHG
    • a-l.com thread - includes bleeding procedure
    • a-l.com thread - why a large amount of air causes overheating
    • a-l.com thread - example of bad radiator cap
  • What is the Mystery Plastic Gunk on front of Oil Pan underneath the timing belt cover?
    • The Crank Angle Sensor "Potting" (sealing) material is melting off. This doesn't affect the performance of the vehicle so you can safely ignore it.
    • a-l.com thread
    • See DIY Repairs Section for a refitting/repotting procedure if you insist on rebuilding it.
  • What engine swaps are possible?
    • JDM Engine Swap
    • JDM MOTORS
    • 3.5L from 1st Gen RL
    • TL/CL Engines WHY IT CAN/CAN'T BE DONE
    • In theory, if you have the time (and money), just about any engine swap is possible, just most will require extensive bodywork, engine bay work, pain, and suffering, so again unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket, most swaps with other Honda/Acura engines should not be attempted. On the other hand, there are a few exceptions to what can be swapped and what cannot be installed.
    • Remember, the Legend's engine is a 6 cylinder, and these heavy bodies need hp and torque...not really much point in trying to throw in a 4 banger from an Integra or Civic...unless your heart is really set on it and your pockets are burning your thighs. Finally, just about anything CAN be accomplished if you have the money, boredom, and time.
    • All Possible
      • [USDM Type I -> USDM Type II]: Can be swapped easily with no custom mounts or anything...just drops right in (works with Type I ECU, but works noticibly better with Type II ECU swapped also){also works vice versa}
      • [USDM Type I -> JDM Type I/II]: Same as above, just drops right in, nothing custom about it. {also works vice versa}
      • [USDM Type I -> EDM Type I/II]: Same as above, still nothing fancy. {also works vice versa}
      • [Type I heads -> Type II heads/intake manifold]: Possible with a few modifications, this would turn your Type I into a Type II...its just alot easier to do a complete swap than to modify all this.
      • [Legend Type I -> 96-98 TL/Inspire]: Totally possible, since the TLs from these years shared the same C32A Type I that the Legend used from 91-95.
      • [Legend -> 96-03 3.5 RL/Legend]: Done by several members (search G2 Performance forum), requires fabbing a custom mount and some wiring work. Can use Type I, II, or RL Intake Manifold.
    • NOT Possible without serious money/time
      • [Legend C32 -> NSX C32]: Requires SERIOUS money, since this C32 engine is wider than the Legends C32, and would require the rest of the car to be completely modified to accomodate this engine. The intake manifold isnt swappable from the NSX either.
      • [Legend -> 99-04 TL/Inspire]: Completely different engines...Legend uses the C block which is laterally mounted, TL/Inspire's use the J block which is completely sideways (transversely mounted).
      • [Legend -> 96-03 CL]: Same as above, the CL uses the J block also.
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Engine Cooling & Climate Control

  • Coolant Smell in Cabin. Where's it coming from?
  • Intermittent A/C Operation (sometimes blows cold air)?
    • Replace the Fan Control Unit (FCU). This box decides when to engage your A/C compressor and your radiator fans.
    • a-l.com thread
  • Noisy Climate Control Temperature Sensor Fan (for cars with Automatic Climate Control only)
  • Do I need a single or dual outlet water pump?
    • It appears that a dual outlet water pump is only required if you car has an oil cooler
    • a-l.com thread
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Interior

  • Sagging Sun Visors
    • Possible Solution: two different possible causes - one includes pics
    • a-l.com thread
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Steering/Transmission/Transaxle/Differential

  • My AT automatic transmission shifter is stuck!
  • Can I convert my AT transmission to a manual?
    • Yes, but it's gonna cost money. You are more than likely better off selling your AT Legend and purchasing a 5-speed or 6-speed. If you insist on throwing money away, see the DIY Modifications and Upgrades Section for the Install Procedure.
  • Are there any differences between the auto and manual differential?
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Suspension & Tires

  • What offset do I need to avoid rubbing with aftermarket wheels?
    • The Offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. The offset can be one of three types:
      • Zero Offset: The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.
      • Positive Offset: The hub mounting surface is toward the front or wheel side of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front wheel drive cars and newer rear drive cars.
      • Negative Offset: The hub mounting surface is toward the back or brake side of the wheels centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are typically a negative offset.
    • If the offset of the wheel is not correct for the car, the handling can be adversely affected. When the width of the wheel changes, the offset also changes numerically. If the offset were to stay the same while you added width, the additional width would be split evenly between the inside and outside.
    • Offset Required for the Legend: To avoid rubbing, you need to make sure the wheels you get are the following: MINIMUM of +42 offset. +45 and above is better (this is on a 7.5" wide wheel.) If you go wider than that, you need the offset to be closer to +51, like Fut (18 x 8, +51 offset). Stock offset for the Legend is +65. Most aftermarket wheels are in the low 40's to high 30's. Note: Sedans have smaller wheel wells than coupes, so stick with a 215/40 to 225/40 size tire.
  • Where can I find a shop to have my wheels/rims bored out?
    • Instead of finding a machine shop, try contacting one of the larger wheel & tire shops in your

area to see if they have an in-house lathe. The W&T shops with in-house lathes are likely willing to do the job for cheaper.

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Performance/Misc Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is premium gasoline necessary?
    • No, but your gas mileage (MPG) will suffer so cost per mile-wise, it will be a wash.
    • a-l.com thread
  • Can I fit an NSX Engine in my Legend? The engine code is similar.
    • No, the NSX engine is completely different and only shares the oil filter. It's physically wider and won't fit without cutting into the frame rails. It may be possible with $15K-20K but why bother. Please stop asking.
  • Can I make my Legend RWD?
    • No. You might as well put an NSX engine into this car.
  • What's the difference between the redline and my rev limit?
  • What body kits are available for the Legend?
  • What options were available from the factory for the Legend?
  • Is it possible to convert a Type 1 Legend into a Type 2 Legend?
    • Yes but it may not be cost effective to do a complete conversion (Calipers, ECU, engine, fuel pressure regulator). The most cost effective conversion would be to just replace the Type-I intake manifold with a Type 2 intake manifold, re-use the Type-2's FPR, and then re-flashing your ECU. If you insist on spending more cash, you would get more "bang for the buck" by undergoing a 3.2L to 3.5L engine swap. Please refer to theEngine Section of the FAQ for more details.
  • How are the fueling systems (ECU/FPR) different between a Type 1 and a Type 2 engine?
    • The fuel maps in the ECU are leaner for the Type 2 (vs the Type 1) because a Type 2 uses a higher pressure fuel pressure regulator. This may account for the sluggish performance some users have found when using a Type 2 engine with a Type 1 ECU.
    • a-l thread
  • What engines can I swap into my Legend?
    • See the engine section above for details.
  • What aftermarket ECU chips are available for my Legend?
    • For years, Bayou and Dinan (relabeled Bayou) were the only aftermarket ECUs available. In the past year though, ECU homebrew development has come to the Legend thanks to users like "Beav". If you are interested in upgrading your ECU, you can now choose between obtaining one of the default "mild" tunes made available by other enthusiasts or downloading the toolchain required to do a full custom tune specific to your vehicle. Since the toolchain is designed to operate similarly to the map editors available for other Honda engines, any competent shop with can tune your vehicle with an hour or so of dyno time.
    • Note: One should realistically expect no more than a 10% HP gain from an aftermarket ECU chip with a naturally aspirated engine.
    • ECU Chip Upgrade Information (Multiple Threads, DIYs, etc)
    • Telion ECU tune (Not an endorsement but an example of a tune available off-the-shelf)
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Do it Yourself Repairs

This section contains all the links to relevant sections of Acura-Legend.com which contain REPAIR procedures for your Legend. Basically, if you know what you want to fix yet don't know how to do it yet, look here. Eventually (hopefully), folks will port that information back INTO the Wiki directly. Please put all the retrofit and modification links in the other DIY section.

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Body/Exterior

For Foglights & Headlights please see the Electrical Section.

  • Rust Removal DIY - cb7tuner.com thread for 90-92 Accord but same procedure applies
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Brakes

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Electrical

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Engine/Emissions/Exhaust

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Engine Cooling & Climate Control

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Interior

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Steering/Transmission/Transaxle/Differential

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Suspension & Tires

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Do it Yourself Modifications and Upgrades

This section contains all the links to relevant sections of Acura-Legend.com which contain performance upgrade procedures for your Legend. Eventually (hopefully), folks will port that information back INTO the Wiki directly. All the JDM retrofit crap belongs here.

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Body/Exterior

  • For Headlights and Foglights, see Electrical Section.
  • Sunroof Tilt Modification / Moonroof Tilt Modification
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Brakes

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Electrical

  • 9006 Base Conversion to fit H4H Housing
    • This conversion is used to fit more common 9006 bulbs (HID or otherwise) into JDM headlight housings.
    • a-l.com
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Engine/Emissions/Exhaust

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Engine Cooling & Climate Control

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Electrical

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Interior

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Steering/Transmission/Transaxle/Differential

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Suspension & Tires

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External Links

Retrieved from "http://www.acura-legend.com/wiki/index.php/Second_Generation_Acura_Legend_FAQ_and_DIY"
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