gwengreniuk

Hi All,

Just experienced the "lights out" problem on the center console with my '04 6MT TSX last night. Thought it might be a fuse or something, but decided to start with a google search and found it here in the forum. Man you guys are a wealth of information!

Unfortunately my TSX is 4 months out of warranty although under the KM warranty (apparently the CDN warranty was only 3yr/60,000KM?, and I bought my TSX in July 2003). Any idea why the warranty would be different between US and Canada? I've read here that most of these are 4yr, so I was a little disappointed...

Anyways, took it back to the dealership today (Southview Acura in Edmonton, AB, Canada -- not Kentucky!) and the service dept told me it was out of warranty, quoted me $950 plus labour to replace. I referenced the TSB posted here and asked about the Acura "Goodwill" option, and he said he'd need to ask Acura. They fed me a few lines trying to get out of doing anything for me, but considering I was armed with all the info from this website and also the fact my wife and I are looking at an MDX in the near future, he said he'd call me back about it.

I haven't seen much about Southview vs. West Side Acura in Edmonton -- any other Canadians on the board have experience with either? This is my 8th Honda vehicle and my first from Southview, but perhaps I went with the wrong dealership?

Can I appeal directly to Acura about this problem, or does the dealership have to do so? I think it's a crock that such a well known and repeated problem wasn't a recall, but at the very least I'm hoping I don't have to foot the bill (I will if I have to, but I'll get the work done at the other dealership if that's the case). Has anybody considered getting enough of us buyers together to get some consideration from Acura to at least acknowledge this problem, and guarantee they will fix it?

Just mainly wondering what the experiences have been in Canada with this problem and the shorter warranty, so any and all suggestions would be appreciated!

Oh, and I'll update once I've heard back from the dealership later today or tomorrow. We all vote with our wallets, so if Southview doesn't want to take care of a loyal Honda buyer, I'll find somebody else who will, and make sure nobody else repeats my mistake!

Thanks guys for your help, and keep up the good work! Wish I would have found this forum sooner -- saw posts about other things (rattling front speakers and noisy windshield) that I would have gotten checked out before my warranty was up if I knew they were known problems!

For the record, I (and my wife) LOOOOOVE our TSX. Best car I've owned, and I'll probably buy another when this one needs replacement. Guess it's just gonna be a question of which dealership gets my money

G

NidalK

hey gwen: while your radio is on, press and hold down the "CD/AUX" button for about 15 seconds, this should resolve your problem.

gwengreniuk

Heh, I wish it was that easy -- I saw that post and tried it, but this is an actual problem with the audio unit that requires the whole thing to be replaced -- reasonably common issue with the '04 it would appear (nearly 50% of people in the poll here on the 'zine have had it happen, fortunately most replaced under warranty since Acura issued a TSB for it).

Much as I love this car, I really question the logic behind having a single set of electronics running the clock, radio, CD changer, heater, AC and defrosters... I can understand a person deciding not to fix the radio (or replacing it) if it goes again, but how practical is it to drive a car in our Canadian winters without being able to reasonably control your heater, defroster, etc....

We've looked into the Extended warranty and apparently Acura Canada will allow the purchase of an extended warranty for add'l 4 years and 100,000km coverage until the end of December for the '04 cars at a cost of around $1700 (same warranty you could buy new with the car)-- But even with that, there's debate over whether this problem would be covered if it occurs again.

Still waiting to hear back from the dealership on a verdict....

G

JdmStyle

I was in the same predicament.. we wrote a letter to Honda Canada.. and the dealership where the car was purchased.. (we bought it second owner).. mind you we have owned.. 12 Hond/Acuras..9 bought brand new (gave us ownership value).. I had over 100K on my car and they replaced the radio NO QUESTIONS asked.. I would suggest writing a letter to Honda Canada and plea your case.. your a loyal honda owner and plan on getting more in the future.. what can you do for me.. etc etc.. BEST of luck.

ponster

Hi GwenGreniuk,

Off topic but I picked up my 06 TSX a week ago from Southview Acura a week ago, I closed the deal almost 3 weeks ago but I was working up in Ft. Mac so I opted for Dec. 1 pick up.

The car ended up having 300kms more before I noticed it as the girlfriend drove home and it is her primary vehicle. The sale rep is new but he did a rushed delivery inspection, spent more time setting up her blue tooth.

Since we picked up the car in the evening, the service area was dark and the salesman was a bit nervous as I did a quick look down the car I couldn't do a thorough inspection. Next morning in the sunlight, I noticed a dent in rear passenger door.

I opted to buy a 6yr extended 130,000 km warranty, when I went to get the the final paperwork, the salesman gave me a 6yr 100,00km warranty instead. I was not happy.

Top it off, the second key was cut bad and you had to push it into the lock at an angle so it had to be recut. Supposedly, the key was on order. The business manager rectified the warranty and gave me the 130,000 km at no charge when I told him I wouldn't be giving them a "5" on the Acura survey.

But I left two messages with the salesman in regards to my key. I stopped into Southview tonite and the salesman brought out two keys. The first one went into the ignition but the car wouldn't turn over. So he had me test my valet key and it turned over. Second key went in but wouldn't turn ignition module. Salesman went back in and then came back out and told me I had to deal with the parts manager during the hours of 7:30 to 5:00 p.m. Now I have to take time off work to get a key recut. TSX has been a great car over the week but hopefully their service is better than their sales and follow up.

KBraggs

I had the same problem with my 04, but it was under warranty. Entire audio unit was replaced by the dealer, so I don't think that this is just a simple fix problem.

gwengreniuk

Figured I'd come in here and post a quick update.

Took my car in last Monday as indicated (Dec 4/06) to the dealership and spoke to Acura Canada the next morning. Acura assured me that they would handle this issue, really didn't ask any questions -- they were just waiting on confirmation of the VIN etc from the dealership.

I waited 3 days for a call from the dealership, really just wanting to see the response. Day 3, I called Acura Canada back because I was a little ticked at the service (lack of, really) and asked if I could opt to have the work done at the other dealership here in Edmonton, or my independent mechanic (a Honda/Acura specialist by the way). Apparently it was possible but would start the process over, so I opted to just see what happens.

Low and behold, I got a call a few minutes later from the dealership (most likely prompted by Acura Canada) saying somebody in the service dept. had forgotten to call me back, and that my part had been ordered, and standard delivery was about a week. They assured me they would call me as soon as the part came in.

It's now a week since that call, and still no part. I'm sure it'll come in eventually and I'll get my car fixed, but I'm also pretty sure the dealership dropped the ball again.

So here's my opinions to this point:

Acura Customer Service: Fantastic. Asked no questions beyond what was needed to confirm the issue, assured me the problem would be rectified, even gave me a few "pointers" in dealing with the issue at the dealership to make sure it was presented properly and accurately. I definitely don't regret my decision to buy an Acura product. And from what I've seen, they warrant things like this long after the "official" warranty

Dealer Customer Service: Still waiting. The dealership has no cost in this thing, and they had the opportunity to look like heroes. Instead, they leave me with a complete lack of confidence in their service. We'll see how things go once the part arrives... The rest of my family are Lexus owners, and I have to say, the contrast in dealer service is appalling for two alleged "luxury" lines.

For the record, I went to visit Westside Acura to investigate purchasing an extended warranty for my car -- they were pleasant and helpful, so I might give them more of a chance on our next vehicle purchase.

Either way, at least I have the confidence in the product I bought and the manufacturer....

I'll update again after the service is done.

G

davidspalding

Um ... why wouldn't this be covered by an extended (comprehensive, no just powertrain) warranty? My extended warranty has a section devoted exclusively to electronics, and computerized components.

LuvMyTSX

You realize this thread is a year old, correct?

davidspalding

Whoops. Nope. I must've clicked here from a "similar threads" hyperlink. Goofy feature.

Also, date fields are light grey over light blue-grey. Time to change forum themes.