ACTUP

Hey guys, it is time for me to get a new battery, I think. I really like the factory battery because it is maintenance free. It has an eye that tells you the condition of the battery. I knew it was getting weak because when the fans turn on the headlights would dim. Also when I rolled up more than one window at a time the dash lights would dim. I was cleaning my seat this week and I left the doors open for about and hour ( I didn't turn off the interior lights). When I tried to start the car no luck, but the lights still worked and so did the horn. I was gonna just get a new battery but when I checked the meter it said it was okay. I got a boost and the car ran fine for 2 days until I tried to turn it on this morning and it was dead. I got a boost and the car ran fine. Is it the battery or my alternator? Buy the way I have a 97TL original battery.

unx979

does the car still run? i had the exact same problem at the beginning of the summer where all the lights worked in the car, but the car wouldn't start. problem was a blown fuse. weird how one blown fuse can render a nice car like ours useless. But yeah check your fuses first cause you said your battery is still good. it's normal to have your headlights dim when the AC comes on, happens on mine all the time. as for the windows, i don't notice my dash lights dimming, but my windows do roll up really really freaken slowly. i think it's just part of the window problem with our TL. i don't think our alternators are bad or whatever cause most of the mechanics i've talked to told me that acura engine parts are pretty good, built to last around 10-15 years. so unless your car is that old, which i doubt cause it's only been six or so years, then the alternator might be the problem.

Hmmm solutions? i guess you can get a performance battery or hook up another battery in the trunk for extra juice. first things first though, check your fuse box.

Wampum

Really it does sounds like your battery. I just had basically the same thing happen to me and I have a 98. My factory battery indicator said it was fine too, but it wasn't. How embarrasing is that. I was out with my friends and we were cruising in my ride...then all the sudden it wouldn't start. That sucked!! I replaced the factory battery with an Optima Red top. Now it starts up with a flick of the key.

ACTUP

The car is still running after I got the boost this morning. The confusion is the battery meter says it's fine. I was thinking it's either the battery won't hold the charge or the alternator is malfunctioning whereby the car is periodically running off just the battery. I agree the windows roll up very slowly and my glass is scratched.

unx979

i say go for the new performance battery, i seriously don't think the alternator's messed up, especially not this early in the car's life.

MaxxT

Perhaps a new battery is not a waste of money. Stop by my house, we'll test my battery in your car

ACTUP

:o embarrassed isn't the word. I got a boost from a 88 van. He must have been laughing his ass off . I am definitley going to change the battery. Thanks for the input guys as always much love to my Acura fam....baby baby

unx979

just wondering if anyone knows how to hook up another battery in the trunk.

Wampum

Phoenix Gold, Stinger, and a few other companies out there make battery isolators. If you are thinking about running two batteries so you can run your stereo system this is what you will need to purchase. Either that or a soleniod(sp?) but if you never sit in the parking lot with your engine off and play your stereo, there really is no point. Ther only time your car runs off the battery is when the engine is off and to start it up.

The battery isolator will separate the two batteries. The one you have in the engine compartment will start the car. The one in the rear will power your audio equipment, but will not put any drain on your front battery so you will still be able to start your car. You should also think about going with a deep cycle battery in the rear. Like Optima Yellow top.

25flamingTL

YO ACt I had teh same problem last year, and it lasted for about a week. It was the damn Battery FUSE. Its the second biggest fuse under the hood and has 100amp I beleive. $7 bucks at the dealer on NOstrand Ave.
ONE-

TLBaller

i had the same problem one time. It wouldn't start at all...when i tried starting it, it made that "click click click" noise. i thought it was the starter. i couldn't get it to start so i left it at home for a day or 2 and tried it again...it then started and now it hasn't happened again...well not so far.

Guest

Replace your original 97 battery. My battery would run down when the cooling fan stayed on after shutdown. Replaced with Delco mant. free.

ACTUP

Well I replaced the factory battery with a new Die Hard Gold maintenance free (3 year waranty) and the car runs like new. I even experienced a slight power surge.....[IMG]C:\my documents\my pictures\naughty.gif[/IMG]

MaxxT

what did we say, eh?

ACTUP

You guys were right so here's to ya
[IMG]c:\my documents\my pictures\beerchug.gif[/IMG]

unx979

see why we love this board so much? we learn from other people's experiences. damn i'm addicted to this board. still working on my "insane" status. hehe

unx979

oh wait i'm INSANE!!!!!!!!!!

MaxxT

oh yah.. congrat.. hehehe.. now let go for FREAK

unx979

haha we can have another one of those conversations like last time.

2.5TL96

You can take it down to Sears for a free battery check, they will run a load test on the battery, and a starter draw test.
Another way to test a battery is turn on the head light and crank (start) the car, if headlight dim or turn off, most likely is you battery, or the starter is overdraw, but the latest is rarely happen.
But if the starter just click and don't turn over the engine, and the the lights stay on bright, problem is the starter solenoid. But it happen one time which comes out to be a loose ground connecton from the battery to the engine block.
Hopes the above info help, Mahalo.

ACTUP

I took it to Sears and it was the battery. I bought a new Die Hard Gold. Thanks for the info.