Ken1997TL

Not all 4 cylinders are inline. What do you call the Subaru engines?

They're horizontally opposed, 'flat' or 'boxer' engines.

Cornflake

I see a note in there about Boxer engines.... You don't ???

spidyos

I've had mine for over a year so far these are the problems I've had or noticed:
STARTER (replaced)
driver side window squeaks (remedied by waxing both sides)
fan stays on (I guess this is normal for the 1st Gen TL)
AC smells (This is a problem for all Honda cars)
Limited Aftermarket parts

spooky3ce

A lot of 1st Gen TL's have the starter problem... what is the first symptom of a starter problem...??? because my starter might be going out... sometimes it locks up and won't let me turn the car on w/o moving the shifter a bit sometimes... or the key, i'll leave it a bit out so it can turn the starter... if i put the key all the way in... she won't start... Just a quick question...

Ken1997TL

I was responding to wolfpack Bill

Ken1997TL

Hmmm sounds strange. More likely a bad ignition switch if it involves the key or shifter. It thinks the car is in something besides neutral or park.

The bad starter is when it makes a loud "click" and then absolutely nothing. Basically, the starter contacts have lost their copper and are hammering away uselessly.

WolfpackBill

Hmm...true. Never thought of that. But Suburus are never in my mind. I only like Hondas, Nissans and Ford trucks. LOL...

Cornflake

Fair enough.

spidyos

I had the same problem. The starter just won't turn. I would make several attempts before the engine would finally turn. After a couple of months, it got worst so I finally gave in and had the starter replaced.

zimzamman

My car alarm is acting up also...once this month, twice last month, while at work....I don't lock my car at work; but the alarm went off maybe 5 or 10 minutes after I walked away; I thought it would go off by itself after 30 seconds, but it didn't. I used the remote to shut it of (unlock / lock), and put the key in the driver's door another time...luckily it doesn't appear to randomly go off when the car is locked....

Otherwise, the normal D4 light (replaced with D1; as mentioned, this should be fixed because it is used as a transmisson warning light);
I have 112,000 on the original timing belt, getting ready to replace the belt / water pump (I had 134,000 on the 94 Legend 3.2 before changing the belt, just for info);
Window wind noise, fan remains on when warm after turning off the car (I guess others see the same thing);
Transmission is smooth, 20-22 mpg all times (80 mph tirps with ac, city driving, etc)
CD player is POS (bought 3 units from e-bay to get one that works reasonably well, just to keep original look, but ready to switch to after market unit)


1997 3.2 premium, green, 112,000

SurfingScotty

If you want to keep the stock look, but want a better CD player, look on ebay for a '00-'03 stereo. They fit just the same, but read CDs better than ours. I had the same issue, wanted to stay stock, but gave the head unit to my brother-in-law (for his '89 Legend) and bought a tight Eclipse deck. Obvioulsy not stock, but looks smooth none the less...Doesn't look all retro teenagerish.

I don't know about the new '04 TL's or any other model for that matter. Haven't been over to the local dealer to stroke them yet.

Colt45

here we go heh

d4 light burnt out
struts blown
chrome peeling off door lock
spring in both passanger side door handles
cd player just ejects cd as soon as you put it in
starter went out
transmission went out
exhaust rusted off
windows whistle from air
keyless entry goes off occasionally when you unlock the doors
trunk leaks massively for no reason
windows go out of track when you close doors sometimes
steering wheel leather wore down
o2 sensor went bad
passanger tweeter blown

beater status. hehe

SurfingScotty

damn...how many miles do you have on your ride??? That is a ton of problems. What year/make?

spooky3ce

I'd like to add to my list...

20. C/V Boots... they saw that one of them were blown/torn when installing my new 18x7.5's and there was grease all over my stock rim and the wheel well... so instead of letting it be and have to change the bearings on my "axel"... just re-grease the suckers and get new boots...lol...

21. Broke fuel gauge (note: my fault) lol... bought new one for $89.83... will take pics of install... including glow gauges...

22. Because of problem #21 my speedometer and tach/RPM Gauge aren't working... maybe not making correct contact... temp. gauge is working perfectly...

I'll add more as they come... lol... or until 2.5 TL RIP... ... ***knocks on wood***

nick919

1. slow windows
2.check engine light
3. wont play cds

UnsanePyro

nick, the check engine light is prolly on for a reason, should have the codes pulled somewhere and see what is up.

the windows i hear you can grease the tracks, havn't tried yet, going to this week hopefully

the cds, does it not play them at all, or just picky? I know mine won't play burnt CDs, and on regular CDs it has problems selecting different tracks.

nick919

how do you change your rear oxygen sensor, please help

nick919

do you know how to change the rear oxygen sensor

WolfpackBill

Hmmm...interesting. My stock system seems to take all of my burnt CD's.

esCarbonie

enjoy it while it lasts!!

AApero

D4 light out
Day lights not working
High beam light out

any one else having problems with day lights and high beam

UnsanePyro

What do you mean day lights? The yellow fog lights? They only come on if you turn the button on and your headlights are on.

And the high beam light in the instrument cluster?

WolfpackBill

Day Time Running lights. It is being discussed on another thread.

AApero

Day lights in Canada we have day lights witch means when the car is started they automatically come on and the
high beam light in instrument cluster is not working

PA TL

Well, I finally locate my cruise control kick-out problem. It was in the cruise control module. The dealer said this is the first one that they have seen failed. It was CAD$460 plus labour to replace. Done almost a month ago.
However, just hit a deer last night so the insurance company may write the car off.

PA TL

If the tiny bulb burnt out in the high beam indicator in instrument cluster, that is a pretty easy fix.
However, the high beam bulb may be linked to this indicator on the instrument cluster.
I do not know.

PA TL

Signing off from the 1st Gen forum forever as the insurance company has written off my car (after collision with a deer).

Thank you for everyone's assistance.

However, I will see you in the 3rd Gen forum instead.

Ken1997TL

Enjoy the TL (reborn)

AcuraDrivinJess

My d4 light has never gone out lol, slow driver window and driver seat but thats it

Lillybear

How do i change my oxygen sensor? on 97 3.2 tl?

Ken1997TL

It is covered for FREE by your Acura dealer due to a federally mandated emissions warranty.

delicate483

was it shifting real hard from 1st to 2nd? and the tranny flush definately fixed it?? i just bought mine ('96 3.2) and have had all the same problems...
-starter (replaced the starter silanoid and fixed it)
-wind noise
-D4 lights out
-slow windows
-the latch on the cup holder cover broke
-hard shifting

also, should i be driving in D3 OR D4????

zenyatta1

Slow front windows
Squeel from Driver's window when raised.
Starter replaced
CD Player not working
ECU replaced by Acura under special emissions waranty
I think that I'm going to be replacing the rear struts soon.
Starting to get wind noise from the front windows.

I get about 23-24 mileage with both high speed highway and regular road driving.

UnsanePyro

My tranny was shifting hard, a tranny flush at the dealer fixed it quite well (97 2.5). The D4 light is easy to fix, theres a how too on the site. The slow windows are a quick fix as well. My cupholder broke too, I think I'm getting a new one though . You should drive in D4 so it can get into the highest gear possible. D1 limits the car to 1st, D2 2nd, D3 3rd, and D4 final. You can use D3 in really hilly conditions though, and it will help keep you from having to ride the brakes, but almost always D4 is best.

L8R-TL

My 97 3.2 has most of the same common problems. The newest one is my A/C Control Unit has gone out. A/C & Heat work great, but the display is gone! Dealer wants arm & leg to replace the entire unit! Found a couple locally, but not sure if they work. Anyone else with info on this? Greatly appreciated!

Cornflake

If they are local, just go there and take yours out and swap it there to test it, not a really difficult swap, that way you can find out before you buy!! If they won't let you, don't buy it!

Ken1997TL

Yeah, its an easy swap.

bpjadhav

Bought my 98 2.5TL at 84,000miles (current mileage 98,500)
Problems:
1) D4 light out
2) An A/C relay went out...had it replaced.
3) Trunk leaks
4) Radiator Fan motor went bad....fan was vibrating real bad - got the motor replaced
5) Radiator was leaking from the top...wasn't bad enough to have it replaced...but did so coz the coolant was spraying around at high speeds (Got a pretty good deal from RadiatorBarn).
6) Heater blower/fan takes a few minutes to come on sometimes
7) The emergency brake light tends to stay on even if the brake is not engaged (This typically happens on really cold winter mornings...and goes away once the car warms up).
8) Suspect an exhaust leak...not sure on this (coz it's not loud...just a wee bit loud to get me suspicious)...just hoping it's not a cracked manifold.
9) Get about 21-22mpg (city/hwy)

Maintenance done so far:
Changed the Valve cover gasket, spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter. Had the Transmission fluid changed.

Will have my timing belt, water pump, tensioner and drive belts changed soon.

Does anyone know what is the recommended interval to change the fuel filter?

This is my first Acura...and it's converted me to the Acura camp! TL's are the way to go!
Thanks!!!

Erik B

'96 2.5 tL prem

door lox freeze up
door lox operate independant of human touch(poltergeist?)
slo..oo.ow windows
squeaky windows
D4 light!
1st. to 2nd shift (i'm waiting...)
cd player skips when driving over large bugs in road
need to attend MIT to figure out heater/ac controls(ac, on, off full auto, half manual...wha the ...?)

Erik B

has anyone had a problem with
the harmonic balancer(crankshaft pulley)
mine crapped out and started a screeching
sound and wobbled almost completely off,
taking all accessory belts with it.
watch for it, repair cost can climb into the
the stratosphere.