I have an '04 Automatic TSX. Recently, I was having trouble starting it in the mornings, especially if the car hadn't been started for a while. I replaced the battery but shortly thereafter the problem returned. I then took it to a shop (Mr. Tire) and they replaced the starter. After putting the starter in, the mechanic drove it around and other than the the Malfunction Indicator Lamp staying on, the car seemed to be working fine. He parked it and showed me, then suddenly everything went crazy. the VSA, Airbag, ABS and Ebrake lights came on. Then all the gauges dropped to nothing, and the power was fluctuating. After a few mechanics looked at it, and they tested it out, the power was gone. They kept the car for a few days, and put in a new alternator. My buddy who works at the shop drove it home and he said, other than it feeling a bit slow and sluggish, he got home fine. The only thing is that the Malfunction Indicator Lamps stayed on. I drove it the very next day and after about 7 minutes (3 miles) of driving all the lights came on, the gauges dropped and I lost power as I drifted into my destination. A few hours later I drove it home, with the radio and A/C off and it worked fine. I just tried starting it, and although it seemed a little difficult to start, it started, but as soon as I turned on the A/C, all the indicator lights came on. As soon as I turned it off, they turned back off. Any ideas? The guys at Mr. Tire aren't quite sure. I'm baffled.

 

Usually when the MIL light turns on a code will be stored on the PCM. Most parts stores will scan the codes as a free service. Get the codes scanned, then post on here. They start with the letter P and have four numbers, like p1234.

 

I would take it to Acura, Yeah you may pay a little more but you will then know whats wrong with it... and you will have someone that is use to working on this car working on it! Good Luck!

 

Thanks guys, I have a local Honda shop picking it up shortly, so hopefully they can help me. Unfortunately there aren't any close by Acura shops, but the Honda guys should be able to figure it out. Hopefully it won't be a terribly expensive repair.

 

The guy from the Honda shop called and said my alternator is dead. That's the third one in the past week that has died, so something must be causing it. He's getting an Acura alternator sent over, which will cost me $588 installed. This sucks. We'll see if they can figure it out after that.

 

I would tell them you want to bring in your own Alt. You can get one from a place like NAPA and save upwards of 150.00 over the Acura one!

 

I should have done that, but it's too late now and everything is costing me $750. Remind me to buy a garage and get back into working on my own car.