Presto

So tonight I drove to get some food and half way through my drive I get both VSA lights and the check engine light, the only thing that I could tell was wrong was a slight rough idle at 500rpm instead of the usual 750rpm. Went home and turned the car off and now turned it back on, only the check engine light is on now, didn't drive it again, should I just take it straight to Acura or wait? No tranny problems that I can diagnose myself. What is everyone's expert advice? Im a 2001 with 93k so I wouldn't mind getting a tranny fix. Thanks

TCM 01 CL-S

I'd suggest checking for carbon build up in your throttle bodies (TB and VSA TB), and clean out your IACV. Autozone reads the CEL's for free btw.

NightRider

Your tranny's time to go will come soon my son, very soon...yes check mentioned, although be aware I have had trannies and tranny components replaced before without throwing codes.

i420krypt

wtf?!?! This is exactly what happened to me yesterday. I started up my car in the morning and for some reason the engine was idleing at about 2k rpm. I gave a rev and the rpm's start fluctuating up and down from 1k to 2k rpms. I sat there for a few minutes and the rpms went down to about 1k rpm. I needed to leave so i took off and at the first stop sign w/ my foot on the brake pedal, the car was idleing at about 1200 - 1500rpms. I have a 01 cls and it being an auto, the car would try to lunge forward. Not cool...... pulled over killed the engine and when i restarted, 3 lights came on: engine light, vsa, and the vsa active (triangle). I was a block from home so i left it there as i walked home. When I got back to the car, i started it again and the only light that was still on was the "check engine" light. The rough idleing went away however the engine was still idleing a little over 1k. I'm trying to find out more info on what may be the problem or i guess i might go to the autozone store to have them plug in the scanner thingy to see if any error codes come up.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Those are symptoms of bad or dirty sensors.

Presto

where do you reccomend i get that taken care of? im going to autozone in 10 minutes so ill post what they say soon.

fsttyms1

First find out whats wrong. Then we can tell you where or what to take care of.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

thats what happened to my car in the middle of a short drive, then i pulled over and turned it off/on and the same thing that happened to you happened, then the next day my tranny died...go to your acura dealer....

Presto

Ok the guy checked the code and it was just a generic idle code, which he said goes along with the rough idle, he recommended a throttle body cleaner because it would be the cheapest solution, if that wasn't it he said I had to go take it somewhere and get it diagnosed. Im going to try the throttle body cleaner tomorrow and see if that helps.

Presto

You really think I should take it to the dealer? I have to work tonight but I could take it tomorrow, what does everyone think?

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Clean out the TB & the IAC.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

ok, I'm going to tell you straight up. What you described, is EXACTLY what happened to my car before the transmission went out. If i were you, I would be cautious and not go on any crazy road trips or anything, before i got it checked out with the dealership...but its your decision on whether or not you want to try the other suggestions the other members have put forth. One really bad thing that i want to avoid that comes with being on the forums is starting paranoia which often happens in car forums...but IMO you should get it checked out... Good luck man

BaumBizzle

That happened to me the other day as well. I was accelerating like an old man from a stop light and both VSA lights came on as well as the check engine light and low idle (around 5-600rpm) so I went to autozone and the code read O2 heater sensor malfunction. I figured when I get paid next I'll replace the O2 sensor and see what happens from there and if that fixes it right on but if not take it to the dealer. However I'm not too sure what the VSA light has to do w/ the O2 sensor....

i420krypt

update: just got back from the shop and it looks like i'm going to need to replace the iac valve and have the crap fogged out of the throttle body and intake or whatevers

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Try to clean it first.
If you do need to replace the IAC it's really not hard to do with basic hand tools.
Buy the parts from one of the Acura websites listed in the FAQ.


Stuff like this is not Acura specific. It's very common on many cars. The procedure is all the same to fix it.

i420krypt

thanks for the input fuzz.... i appreciate it

fsttyms1

I agree. Clean the TB and the IAC and get rid of any carbon buildup

Presto

So I opened her up and the TB was as clean as an operating room, i would have no problem having dinner of of it, I cleaned it anyways just make sure and it didn't help at all. Same thing, rough idle as low as 250rpm. Im thinking about changing the 02 sensor just for the hell of it, does anyone have a picture handy of where it is located? Also where would be the best place to buy one?

BaumBizzle

Presto-
I went to Autozone and they told me it was $90. I figured I call the dealership to find out where it was they said they weren't sure if it was before the cat or up higher in the engine area. Frickin guy told me it was about $250-300 for them to fix it though so hopefully we can figure this out and save some cash...I'm in the same boat as you. The code that popped for me was "O2 heater sensor malfunction".

Presto

So does anybody have any information for us? I really am looking to change my O2 sensors, but I have no clue how many our car has and how hard it is to change.

[Ch]amsalot

I'm really annoyed... this just happened to me too on my 99' TL.

I'll have to wait until Monday to take it in. I was just sitting at a red light, all was fine one second, the next second my engine goes rough and sputtering and the check engine light blinks on and off.

%*(^*#()*@!!!!

-[Ch]ams

VIPCLS

I just posted a thread on this and I had to get a certified tec to replace my sesnsors and reset the computer.

[Ch]amsalot

Well, mine isn't the sensor-- I'd say something is clogged, the engine is extremely rough at low rpms.

Type S Zero

before replacing parts to solve a problem you don't know about, get the code.

as soon as there's a problem with the powertrain, the check engine AND VSA will light up but it doesn't mean it's the tranny.
it could be any of this, or even more :
- bad fuel
- worn sparks plugs (do you still have the originals ?)
- bad EGR valve
- clogged EGR passage
- bad/dirty IAC
- bad O2 sensor
- bad timing on the timing belt (one tooth off, because of a worn belt or leaking tensionner)
- etc..

we'd like to help you, but we need the check engine code in your PCM. have it checked or buy a reader on ebay for cheap before paying for parts you don't even know if they'll solve your problem.