I have a 2001 Acura CL 3.2L with about 160,000 miles. I am having an issue that even my mechanic couldn’t figure out. So, I’m hoping the brilliant minds here can help. Please forgive my lack of technical terms.



While driving at slower speeds, around 25-40 MPH, I can feel the engine hesitating as if it’s not getting enough gas. It isn’t making any kind of strange noise. The engine sputters/hesitates and the RPMs become a bit erratic. The RPM’s go up and down marginally – from about 1500-3000. It is not stalling and does not get worse at higher speeds. In fact, the higher speeds resolve the issue. If I accelerate, it stops. It doesn’t seem to do this until it’s warmed up. I added some fuel injector cleaner and it’s still happening.



No codes thrown; spark plugs, gas pump, and fuel intake were said to have no issues by the mechanic. He couldn’t even feel it doing this, although I don’t know how that’s possible. This is a trusted mechanic and highly recommended. He just gave my car an overhaul and couldn’t diagnose.



I have done a ton of research and cannot find anything that addresses this.



I am happy to answer questions or provide more detail, I just don’t know what else is going on. When it does this, my heart stops a little. I’d really like to get it fixed.



Thanks for any help and have a great day.

 

Could it be that the torque converter isn't locking up properly at slower speeds?

 

A problem like that really needs someone behind the wheel on the road to diagnose correctly. Are there any Acura/Honda specific technicians in your area? Not the dealer. There are basic steps that most mechanics use for diagnosis, but not all are as successful at the fixing part. Lot of replacing parts until the fix is done and that can get costly.
Every time I write/type these realities I feel like a debbie downer.

Good luck

 

Investigate the transmission as the source. The autos are notorious for problems and it's hard not to look at the trans as a culprit.

 

@TheWeez & @Acura2g558 – I don’t think it’s the torque converter based on the symptoms I was able to research. I don’t exclude it entirely, I know these have transmission issues – already rebuilt the transmission about 10 years ago.



@Rancho66 – I agree. It’s nearly impossible to diagnose intermittent-type issues. And don’t worry, facts are all you’re stating and those are often negative.



It feels a little like my old '98 Accord when it was stalling for no reason that we could ever figure out. My CL is slightly different tho. It feels a little like it will stall ONLY between 30-40 MPH where there is slower traffic and I’m threading the accelerator ever so slightly. If I accelerate just a little more, it stops. It really feels like a gas line issue of some kind, but since I don’t know ALL the parts in a car related to that, I’m having a hard time describing and diagnosing it. It does NOT do this when stopped (which is what my Accord did). It hasn't stalled out, either.



I can see about a local Honda/Acura mechanic to see if they can help. I’d prefer to not go about replacing random parts until we have a better clue as to what really needs replacing.



Thanks, gang.

 

^
Even though the 'symptoms' don't match what you are experiencing, has the main fuel relay assembly, #13 on the link below, ever been changed?

https://www.acuraoemparts.com/v-2003...rol-unit-cabin

 

It has not been changed. I have noticed an additional symptom, although the mechanic said it's not one. When starting the engine, I turn the key and it takes a second before it starts up. It is taking longer now than it used to. It's SOOO hard to get some mechanics to understand this since I am used to what it's SUPPOSED to sound and feel like, but the mechanics are not.

If it was this item, it looks to be relatively low cost. Is this something that is easily replaced?

 

Review the thread below for it's location and the symptoms:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-p...roblem-495108/

 

Sounds similar as to what was happening to my girl's '98 Volvo S70 T5. That car was misfiring like crazy. Right when we sold it, that's when I discovered it needed a new head gasket.
​​​​​​ Do you not have a check engine light that you could pull codes from?

 

The mechanic said no codes were found and he checked it over, but I'll be bringing it back tomorrow and add the head gasket and the other items listed here to get checked. Now it's REALLY labored at start up, especially when the car is cold.

Appreciate the ideas, gang. Thanks

 

So, today as I went to start the car it had barely enough BATTERY juice to turn over. Made it to the mechanic and it was DEAD. Wouldn’t turn over. The mechanic replaced the battery and with some research, thinks it may solve the other issue.

What say you experts? Would a dying battery cause the acceleration issue? God I hope so!!

 

If you drove an electric car, maybe. I don't think it would, but you won't really know until you keep driving it around.