Cornflake

OK Guys, let's get a list of the most common problems that people have been having with their TL's. Prefer to specify 3.2 or 2.5 as some may be vehicle specific. Mine are the slow/scratched drivers window, the driver's door lock solenoid going south on me and making crazy noise every time I unlock the door electrically, somewhat hard shifts sometimes and the starter dying on me. I've been having problems lately with the heater not blowing hot air even after the car has warmed up unless it's over 2500 rpm's. Let's get a list of the FEW problems that these cars have so we can share any easy fixes and know what to expect to pay if they should happen.

Mikes96TL03CLS

Slow windows
D4 light burnt out
windows kinda loud rollin up and down
door handels feel weak

BlueC

Slow windows and high pitched noise when you close the back ones, hard shift from 1st-2nd, marks on the window from opening and closing them. Thats all from me, everything else works great.

TLBaller

1. scratched tint
2. rattling windows
3. wind noises coming from windows/rubber seals
4. check engine light
5. bad door handles (spring popped out of place)
6. starting prob during cold weather
7. D4 light burning out
8. slow windows
9. crazy locking system that locks itself after you lock it
10. finally..the last prob 1st gen has is the lack of aftermarket parts! if COMPTECH gave up on us, who else can we turn to?!

BlueC

I was thinking about, tint, but knowing how it scratches the windows, I might avoid it. As to #10, rely on yourself, sometimes a custom job is better and cheaper than buying the actual product.

ferron

1. slow/scratched drivers window
2. D4 light burning out
3. Wind noises coming from windows/rubber seals
4. Starting trouble occasionaly
5. Had to repair the original radio 4 times: 3 times on the warranty and just one f... time I had to pay!! Then I stopped and bought a fitting kit with an ordinary radio JVC.

That's it!! 1996 2.5 TL

1stGen2.5

D4 light is burnt out also
Rubber seal around passenger door is letting in gusts of air when Im on the freeway.
Slow windows like everyone else

Anybody have any ideas on the rubber seals because I do not see where it is letting in the air...it almost seems as though the window maybe doesnt go up ALL the way

WBroylesH

For me it's the following:

1.)D4 light going out
2.)Check engine light coming on twice, both times warranted a new 02 sensor
3.)Slow/scratch windows.

Ken1997TL

1: Slow passenger window
2: Burnt out D4 light
3: Wind noise about 60 mph in the drivers door.
4: Starter occasionally goofs up.


1997 3.2 Premium

Slagboy

'97 3.2 TL

1) starter problems (replaced starter fixed)
2) D4 light went out (replaced bulb fixed)
3) weird shifting (tranny flush fixed)
3) slow windows (dealing with it)
4) check engine light (working on it)
5) cigarette lighter socket out (working on it)

Lates,
Slagboy

98tlracer

98' 3.2 TL

1) slow windows
2) squeeks when opening/closing windows
3) windows rattle when I have it half way
4) d4 light went out
5) just recently my stock radio is having trouble playing cd's

ShopLifter

'96 3.2 TL

#1 - BAD A/C SMELL. (smells like mold or nasty ass feet)
#2 - Stock radio wouldn't play any CDs (fixed - new HU)
#3 - Not enough power (need faster acceleration)

Corby

1. scratched front windows
2. shifts hard and there might be a prob with the tranny
3. did have problems with the HU but I was bored one night, ripped it out and dissasembled it carefully and cleaned the lens, that helped a bit. now it only has problems with 1 brand of burnt discs.

note. I wouldnt recommend taking apart the HU unless you are handy with electronics, and have done this sorta stuff before.

next year Im going to have to replace the upper strut mounts but thats just standard maintanence.

Cornflake

I forgot that...my D4 is burnt out too..Was burnt out within 2 years of having the car from brand new! (I bought it from my dad, who bought it brand new). As for the tints, I am still getting them, cause the scratches on my window are on the outside, so I'm HOPING the tint won't rip off.

smooth96

1996 3.2 TL

1)D4 Light Burned
2)Window problem(repaired) but still slow
3)Check Engine Light (EGR Valve insufficient flow)
4)Door locks crazy noise
5)Clicking noise while turning

spidyos

1997 3.2 TL
Starter (Replaced after only owning the car for a month)
Slow Windows (I think this a Honda proble...the same prob on my Civic)
Windows squeaking
MPG (getting between 17-18 mpg)

Ken1997TL

Damn I get 26 mpg with my leadfoot in my '97 3.2.

Stock wheels and Dunlop tires at 36 psi front 34 rear.

5w-20 Mobil One oil every 4,000 miles.

WBroylesH

Yeah, 17-18 isn't so good.

mctwist159

all of the above

vas25tl

I got a 96 2.5TL
1. SLOW WINDOWS! pass lets in air when driving too
2. check engine light-EGR valve (warranty)
3. shifts wierd when cold into second gear
4. rear struts definetely need to be replaced, getting tokico
5. I wish it would have better gas milege, i get about 20mpg

dd1818

1.d4 light out
2.cd player skipping crazy
3.slow windows

but after all, it is indeed a great car.

BlueC

hey with the CEL, what color is it soposed to glow? Mine always seems like its on, but only when my lights are on, maybe its just a reflection, but id hate to ingnore a problem...

Ken1997TL

Yellowish/orange.

BlueC

Damn, maybe mine really is on. But its not very bright.

oulaw29

3.2 TL w/75,000 miles

D4 light
Heater takes 4ever to blow hot air
slow windows
passenger side door handle spring

96_2.5TL

d4 light went out on me, scratched tint, slow windows, oil light is always one no matter ho much oil it has in it, and the most annoying i dont know if ne of u others expieriance it but my trunk rattels liek a ***** with my simple 600 watt system and its really annoying cnat hear it inside but outside it soulnds horrible

chinspot

Newb here ..

what is the D4 light ? the headlight ?

LDH

1. D4 light turns on and off whenever it wants
2. Slow windows (used silicon spray helps a little)
3. Starter died
4. Window seals for the front windshield loose


The D4 light is the light on the gauge cluster that lights up when your car is in gear

AC_DADDY

i hate my steering wheel
looks all worn out and where i put my hands its thinner in diameter because its so worn out
i am almost down to the rubber/plastic underneath and i only have 55k

chinspot

Oh, is there an easy way to fix the D4 light ... my acura is still works, but the civic D4 is not light up ....

NY_2.5TL

What's the D4 light???

1. Steering wheel is wearing off.
2. Definitely slow windows on passenger side. When it rains, it squeaks in the back windows.
3. I have a 97 2.5 and when i lock my doors and drive, my lock on the door handles always sound like they open and close.
4. Clicking noises in the engine.

morningla

D4 is your driving light on the dash, mine was out, siwtch bulb with D1 light.
windows - slow/scratch/noise
rear right bumper alignment popping out, seen on 2 1st gen TL
stock cd player fails to play CD sometimes.
auto shifting - might just need tranny flush
cigarette lighter out - no solution.
loud stock intake

LdyTL

97 3.2TL Silver 109,000
- D4 light burned out about 2 years ago... [dealer wanted too much to fix it, but I like morningla's idea about switching bulb from D1, can I do that myself???]
- wind noise driver side window at high speeds... [from the very beginning, dealer tried several iterations to repair then gave up in '97]
- brake residue on fron wheels
- nicks and dings from overabuse [my fault and others]
- Sound system fading out
- no heated seats, I use a seat cover in the winter months... looks tacky, but my butt won't freeze
- headliner smudges
- drinking gas.. I only get about 280 miles per tank ~20mpg

* good thing: changed the timing belt and H20 pump 2 months ago, runs much faster now... like new

I love driving it, but I want something newer and slicker with bells and whistles (navigation, heated seats, cd changer, etc, etc); but the good thing is it's mine and all paid for........ :-)

hondo_san

96 TL 3.2
Bought w/ 82508 mi
Currently 87500 mi

1) D4 light out
2) Check engine was on when I bought it - dealer fixed EGR under warranty
3) Radio illumination lights out
4) Plays only about 60% of new CD's and no burnt CD's (stock HU)
5) Pass. side wind noise over 65mph
6) Rear defroster never worked - might have been prev. owner removing tint, though
7) Trans fluid had fair amount of shavings when changed at 85k mi (would that be normal if it were first change?)
8) Taillight moisture

So, nothing major so far, knock on wood, and I love the car.

BTW, has anyone actually lost a timing belt? Any before the recommended 90k?

govarian

On my 96 2.5 TL:
1. D4 light burned out (dealer fixed it free)
2. Now that you mention it, my windows are kinda slow...doesn't bother me though.
3. Original battery wore out. Got a replacement official Honda battery at the dealer. About eight months later, one night when I got in & started my car, the battery EXPLODED! Scared the crap outta me. Dealer wouldn't do anything either..."normal wear item" you know. When I look back on it, I really should have called the corporate office on that one.
4. Once when having scheduled maintenance, probably around 45K, the dealer told me my intake manifold was cracked, replaced it under emissions warranty. I never knew anything was wrong.

govarian

Forgot these other problems - One of the electric cooling fans started to squeal, fortunately I got in just under the wire to have it fixed on my 100K extended warranty. Also I think my master cylinder is starting to go - car creeps forward at stoplights, but only when it's hot outside. I have 137K on the car.

Aegeanblue96tl

I love my car but i got the same problems
scratched/slow windows
D4 light out
headlights burnout frequently
low gas mileage
radio didnt play cds so i changed it
and a weird noise from the engine once and a while like a loud vibrating sound any one know what im talkin bout


Blue paint job
ground control coilovers
clear bumper lights
inspire tails
rims
and an aight system

TLmistress

1996 TL 3.2 117k miles- purchased at 116k
- slow passenger window
- scratched driver window
- windows rattle
- burnt d4 light
- continuous engine light issues
- air bag light just came on last week, was told air bag needs replaced, about $5-600, no warranty.
- problems starting car sometimes (not often)
- keyless entry did not work when I purchased car
- locks seem to do as they want
- tailight moisture
- stock CD player SUCKED big time - replaced w/ sony cd receiver.

mt25

Did you know you can turn on/off the radio illumination from the Treble/Bass knob? I was suprised to find out when reading the manual, but can't really find a real-world use out of it.

mt25

96 TL 2.5 104k miles

Men, lots of these problems also happens to me, anyone knows how to fix these? Where to find the solutions?

1. Locks locking repeatedly, after I locked the doors from inside switch or with key on driver's door.
2. Very slow front two windows with scratches on driver's side. The scratches are outside, so won't interfere with the tint.
3. Rear windows squeak when rolling up sometimes.
4. Windows rattles when not fully up and closing doors, it feels really really cheap. When windows are up, normal.
5. Driver door's outside handle spring poped out, makeing it felt loose.
6. Tranny shifts rough as far back as I remember, will try a flush.