Anyone have any idea as to what sort of problems would cause the check engine light to come on in a brand new 2004 Acura TSX? The car has about 2K miles on it. It already was in the shop for a week to repair the rattling windshield issue (Loose moldings). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Which indicator are you referring to? There is no "check engine" light per se, but there are three engine-related warning lights:
1. Low Oil Pressure (oil can shape)
2. Charging System (battery shape)
3. Malfunction Indicator Light (design of an engine block with a fan blade on the left side, also known in some older posts here as the "Fishocopter"!)

Since 1 and 2 are probably obvious, my guess is you're concerned about light 3. Turns out a common issue with light #3 is that the gas cap must be turned at least three clicks, and if it's not the emissions control system will turn this light on. These lights are well documented in the owner's manual.

See the owner's manual page 319: Remove the cap and retighten at least three clicks. "Tightening the cap will not make the indicator turn off immediately; it takes at least three days of normal driving." If this doesn't fix the light, have the car checked by the dealer. Crazy to have to wait three days, but that's the design.

Hope that's your car's issue ... easy to miss this one, but at least this cause is not a big problem. I saw it on this site before getting my TSX, and I recall my salesperson told me about it as well when I got the delivery tour of controls.

 

Check your gas cap. Tighten it three, four times, then give it a couple days and the light should go off.

 

yup...do this. its the most common reason for a check engine light inthe tsx.

 

Yeah, I was wondering if that was what he meant.....

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...&threadid=3325

 

I may be wrong but also fueling up while the engine is running can cause this as well.

 

and by tighten 3 or 4 times... we mean clicks... not full rotations.

 

Will it even run when the gas cap is off? I tried fueling up a rented Corolla and the engine just died when I took the gas cap off.

 

Why are you guys filling up your car while the engine is running?

 

THE REAL TEST....... Unplug one of the terminal of your battery, so it will reset the ECU (computer) of your car. If the engine light is on again, then bring it to the dealership.

 

After AAA successfully jump started my car, everything was fine except my "check engine" light was on. I looked in the owners manual and it said to make sure the gas cap was on securely, which I did. I called my Acura dealership service department and quickly got someone on the phone. He said that the emisissions control computer just needed to reset itself and that it would do it in about an hour's worth of driving. He told me that if it didn't reset itself in two days, to bring it in and he could reset it in about twenty minutes.


Well, he was right! After about an hour of driving, the light went out and now everything is back to normal! Acura of Mobile (Alabama) rocks!

 

My service engine light being on was caused by a defective O2 sensor. Everything is fine since being replaced.

 

i refuel my car with the engine running all the time. in fact i have been doing that for as long as i can remember.
never seen any light or had the car die on me yet.

 

WHY?

Didn't you see the signs saying not to?

 

That's cool.

 

i dont know.. either im lazy or just like to intentionally break the rules now and then. also i like to watch the needle move to full while filling i guess.
also i like to listen to the radio while filling up and i guess because from my earlier days my aftermarket alarms were always programmed to set and lock the doors 30 secs after i get out of the car. i always feared getting locked out. i also leave it running while washing at the carwash. however i never never leave it running if i plan to walk away from it.

 

Bass Mechanic, you may want to reconsider this habit. I imagine that there is a safety reason for not doing it your way.

If you want to listen to the radio, you can leave the key in and keep it turned to the ACC position. It will still allow the radio without the engine being on. Also, if you're afraid of getting locked out, just keep your door open. I never close my door when I'm just filling up at the pump. You might also remember that while the key is in the ignition slot, the driver door cannot be locked so I don't think you really have to worry.

 

quote:
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Originally posted by Bass Mechanic:
i always feared getting locked out.
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Ever heard of rolling down the windows.

As for the check engine light... I agree with mostly everyone that it's a gas cap cause that's the most likely problem. I don't agree on disconnecting the battery post. Yes it will reset the ECU and clear the MIL. However, resetting also requires you to still tighten your gas cap to make sure that it still goes away. Including that you have to let your car run for at least 15 minutes at idle so it can do idle learn or else there's a slight chance you'll get erratic rpm surges. If i were you i just tighten the cap and wait a couple of days before you panic.

Ben
Technician
2004 Carbon Gray/quartz gray/6 speed/navi
all season floor mats
20% black tint
comptech short shifter

 

What does it mean when the MIL is blinking? It just started this morning and the engine is running very rough. No VSA light - only the orange "fishcopter." Also checked the gas cap but still the same - HELP!