I purchased a 2004 Acura TSX (With Navi) and have been looking around checking out some of the features. One thing I realized was that the Factory alarm does not arm, and the (Parking) lights do not flash, and the horn doesn't beep/honk. I decided to do some researcher and found that the problem may be a sensor. All four doors and the trunk register open and shut on the screen in the middle, and lights shut off when I opened a door 1 by 1 and held the sensor down for long enough.
This leads me to think that it is the hood latch sensor, however I cannot find the part online, have never messed with a hood latch before (besides opening and closing) and have no idea where the sensor is located and how I would go about to replacing it.


Here is what happens in my case.
Unlock: Lights flash twice
- Driver's door unlocks after one click
- All doors after 2 clicks
- Cabin lights turn on after the first click
- Window Roll down works while holding the unlock button


Lock: Click once, 3 doors lock
Two clicks
- Dome light off
-Trunk Locked
- All doors locked


Is there any actual posts about changing the sensor besides the ones that just say it could be the hood latch sensor?

 

More Info: I haven't checked to see if alarm sounds by me sitting in the car, double clicking the KEY FOB Lock button then opening a door due to the time of night it currently is in Washington.


However, when I double click the lock button, the security light in the Cluster Gauge does not light at all. No flashing, nothing.

 

If you search for "hood pin switch" you will be able to do some more research, but am reasonably sure (not positive as I don't own a TSX) the hood pin switch is integrated into the hood latch. One thing that caught my eye from your first post is
"Lock: Click once, 3 doors lock." When you click once all 4 doors should lock, so I'm not sure if that was a typo or that you might be having an issue with a door lock actuator.

Typical Acura alarm has eight triggers as follows:

One each for the doors
One for the engine hood
One for the trunk lid
One for the radio
One for the ignition


With regard to your second post - the alarm won't arm if the circuit is open and if it isn't armed you won't be able to set it off. On the plus side some other members with alarm issues, have complained that their alarm randomly goes off and they aren't scoring any points with the neighbors during the night.........

Good luck in diagnosing / fixing and keep us posted

 

Hood latch sensor is located in the hood latch assy. There is a 2-wire connector you release to test the sensor. W/ hood open, check the two pins on sensor side for continuity (should show short). W/ hood lever in closed position, there should be no continuity. It could be either faulty sensor or misalignment somehow.

Only reason for only 3 doors locking w/ one click of transmitter would be faulty door lock actuator. They can be intermittent.

Shop manual has extensive diagnostics for this system.

good luck

 

Took it all off, just to realize my DMM is at my Cousin's house -.-

What outside and inside fuses should I be paying attention to for the alarm?

 

Would it be unwise throw in an aftermarket alarm with a hood pin, if this factory one is not working?

 

Sorry for another reply, but for the sensor test
You said open it should say short
And close it should say no continuity

What does the "short" look like on the screen of a DMM

 

If only 3 of your doors lock you need to replace the lock actuator on the door that doesn't lock. Then you can troubleshoot the rest. Search for my DIY.

 

I was wrong on that part. I meant 4. I forgot to edit it :/

If I get an aftermarket alarm, will they be integrating it for the factory hood latch sensor? Or could they just do an aftermarket DEI Hood pin switch?

 

On most DMM, short is 0.0 ohms resistance and open is 0L (at least on mine). Check your owners manual.

good luck

 

Just did it.
Open reads 00.0ohms
Closed read 0.L

What the heck can be causing the alarm to not arm. What fuses should I be checking?

 

Do you have a message that Hood Latch is open? If yes, then problem is connector, wiring, or faulty controller.

good luck

 

Message? I don't think my icon on my little screen shows when the hood is opened.


Would I be able to just throw in an after market alarm?

 

I've owned two TLs and an MDX and never remember seeing an indication of the engine hood being open, but maybe I've never had that combination of events (hood open and ignition on) -

I'm sure you can throw in an aftermarket alarm, but why not try and get the OEM one sorted out and fixed?

 

well, personally, I am going to be getting the after market alarm with remote start no matter what. I just did not know if that (the factory alarm) has to be in an operating condition.


Locks work, window roll down (Double click and hold unlock) works, trunk pop works, and the hold key in door and turning/holding it in locking position rolls up the windows.


It just seems that this alarm does not want to arm for some odd reason

 

Okay, so after some digging around, my older cousin (who works on cars for fun) pointed out that there is an after market LED in my left vent. I noticed it, but never knew what it was for. we looked around, and it seems one of the 2 previous owners had an after market alarm installed.


So not only am I missing the spare key and key fob... I am missing access to an after market security system...


When I get my after market system installed, will the installers take out the old one?

 

Sounds like maybe you want to go to an aftermarket installer and see what they say and/or go to a Honda/Acura dealer to diagnose your OEM alarm issue. Just know that a remote starter does not require an aftermarket alarm to be installed. Would you be happy with a functioning OEM alarm and a remote starter?
Could be that the new one you want to buy and install may not work properly if there is already one in place. Hell it could be the aftermarket alarm or whatever is tied to the LED light you found is the reason your OEM alarm isn't arming!!
It might be that they have to remove whatever is tied to the LED light or, if you explain the situation, they might be able get it up and working for you. Some further digging on your part or your cousin's part may help determine what brand/manufacturer is already installed. I would then go to an installer who deals with that brand and see what they can do for you.

For me personally, I absolutely would not want to be driving a car with an inoperable OEM alarm, have an unknown LED light potentially tied to an aftermarket alarm and then have a potential 2nd aftermarket alarm and remote starter all in the same vehicle. That just sounds like a recipe for your car to not start at some inopportune time and leave you stranded. Then try and explain to whomever is going to diagnose and fix your non-starting TSX that you potentially have 3 alarm systems and a remote starter all tied into your car's electronics. But hey, that's just me
I'm not trying to be snarky, but I would fix what you have and then add the remote starter and be done.
Please do keep us posted -

 

Got it removed by car toys it was infact an aftermarket clifford alarm.

Going to call acura to see if they can help me with the oem alarm. It still does not arm.

Got a quote from car toys for the clifford 3706x. Apparently that will run me 620 plus $60 warranty and that doent include the tilt sensor or the glass sensor. And for remote start (5706x) they said that it would be another 200 for the system, then 70 for the module.

Asked them why I shouldn't go to Best Buy
"We have a better install."

Best buy has the Viper 5706v for $500 plus tax installed. Idk if they charge for the module for the remote start that is needed to disarm the alarm. Idk.

 

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction or at least the direction I would go. You can add tilt sensor to the OEM after the fact if you want. - https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-alarm-855658/
That is for the 3G TL, so not sure if the wiring harnesses are the same for the TSX.
I had another thought too. Does your alarm sound if you hit the panic button on your key fob?? Just another diagnostic test to see if the alarm will in fact sound after you get the open circuit / arming issue resolved.

 

Called acura. $130 plus taxes for them to diagnose electrical problems... gahhh

 

Pretty typical as that represents an hour of labor at that dealer. I think my dealer is closer to $150. You can try a Honda dealer as they are typically less $$ or if you are in the NJ area - https://acurazine.com/forums/ny-nj-3...rth-nj-883797/

I'm going to try a Honda/Acura Master Mechanic who has posted up on CL locally in the next couple of days for an issue I have with my front suspension. Stealership prices are crazy expensive.

 

[QUOTE=NBP04TL4ME;15475628]Pretty typical as that represents an hour of labor at that dealer. I think my dealer is closer to $150. You can try a Honda dealer as they are typically less $$ or if you are in the NJ area - https://acurazine.com/forums/ny-nj-3...rth-nj-883797/

Not gonna bother with this factory alarm. Going to just get the after market alarm. Car toys is expensive

 

Now it is basically Cartoys or best buy

 

Gahhh

Okay, stopped by another place that does viper alarms

For 1 mile range security plus remote start it is
5706v $820 plus 100 per add on

I can get the same one, but not have them install the remote start part, and have the 1 mile range for $620 plus 100 for each addon/sensor, with option to do the remote start for $200 more in the future whenever I have the money

Or I can get just alarm, 3305v a 1/4 mile range for $400 plus 100 per add on

And when it comes down to it, Seattle buildings and concrete areas and people will kill that 1 mile range in half or less being that the 1 mile range is a straight line no onstructions type of deal.

What to do, what to do

 

What is your end game? Alarm? Remote start or both? How important or needed is a remote starter in Seattle?? Maybe you could reach out to some of your local fellow AZ members for car electronics recommendations - Northwest - AcuraZine Community or find a local Honda/Acura mechanic to look at your OEM alarm - http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ao...636968.html??? Just some thoughts.

 

Well, the remote start os just a luxury and not needed, which is why the 5706v without the remote start yet installed is something I am considering. Having that let's me have the 1 mile range. However, while in college, I will be parking at my uncle's house and 1 mile range will mean nothing. Not to mention in metropolitan areas, the buildings cut that signal by large fractions. The 3305v is a 1/4 mile range however, like I said, the car will not be near me when in college