cnst

Hello all,
After reading many posts on why my 06 TL auto w/navi would not start, I was able to confirm it was indeed a bad starter. First, let me define not "not start" since some expect others to know what they mean when they use terms like "crank" and "turnover". "Not start" for this instance means no activity from the starter.
With that said, I only had a single click when turning the key to start, which is different than multiple clicks like a clatter (clatter being an indication of a dead battery). Also, the headlights did not dim at all. From there, I was in disbelief that a Honda product could have a starter go out after 5 years/70k so I pursued the switches and the fuses in the circuit thinking that was more likely to be the culprit. No joy.
It had to be the starter. (BTW, I used justanswer.com to talk to an Acura mechanic. Well worth the $15 to confirm before diving into a job like taking out the starter) Removing and replacing the starter was about an hour job. Toughest part was taking out the battery tray but that was relatively easy. Between the grill and the battery tray you'll see a triangular plastic piece covering a tube that goes down to the grill. Pop out the the plastic piece and then remove the upper section of that tube by just pulling while wiggling it. It gives you a little more room to work on removing the tray. To remove the bolts on the starter, make sure you use a long breaker bar with a lot of leverage because those bolts are ON there. (they go back on with 47 ft-lbs.) Put it back together in reverse.
Cost? $120 from Autozone with a lifetime warranty. I lot better than $900 I've seen quoted around here.
With all the help I've had from this site, I hope helps some of you.

pohljm

good goin on the fix! thanks for sharing.

rkan121

where was the starter located??? was it behind the intake manifold or somewhere else??

cnst

It's located between the battery and the front of the engine. Right next to the transmission (auto) dipstick. Round like a small coffee can.

Jesstzn

Awesome .. and TY for coming back and posting the outcome.

Hate the posts where a question is asked and then the OP never does come back and say what resolved it.

James63410

Sometimes, when a starter goes out, you can tap on it with something and it'll start for you. If it starts, thats probably the last start you'll get out of it. Just an FYI in case anyone gets stranded, and if it starts, don't cut it off until you get home or to a shop.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Removing the starter was very easy.

Accessing the bolts that held the battery tray was a pain in the ass.

After half an hour of trying, we realized you can take out the plastic tubing to access the bolts under the tray haha.

After that, removing the starter took 1 minute =P

cmoy1122

Did that solve your problem by replacing the starter? I recently had a similar issue But it wasnt my starter. I put the car in neutral and turned the key and it solve my issue. I then tested it again and realized the the shifter wasnt completely in park. It was in P but i had to push the shifter harder to the top position each time and not i dont have this issue anymore.