Hello all,

My 2001 Acura CL recently died. Couldn't get it to start, so called AAA and had to get it towed to an auto shop. The people at the auto shop couldn't get it to start either. They told me the problem was that the fuel filter needs to be replaced.

The auto shop told me that "both fuel filters" need to be replaced, at $300 each!

However, do the 2001 Acura CL's even have fuel filters? If so, are they part of the fuel pump, and are there even two?

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

the only thing I know thats replacable is on top of the fuel filter is a mesh screen/filter type of thing that can only be replaced by replacing the filter.
it rarely needs to get replaced.

Im thinking it might be something else. Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to the "ON" position? it might be the fuel pump relay. that tends to go bad more then the fuel pump clogging.

Another member has a similar problem and the shop replaced the fuel filter and that did not fix the problem. the member ended up having to pay for the cost of the repair still.

 

i had the same problem. does your immobilizer flash (green key light). And also like what aznboi2424 said you can hear the pump whine when you turn the car to the on position if it doesnt whine check the relay its cheaper then a pump.. What happened to me was i had to replace an ecu because the old owner had pre ran the wires for my system and tapped the remote wire right into the fan switch. It then short circuited back to the ecu.

 

Two fuel filters?

Heres how you fix it:

1) Get a tow truck
2) Bring your car somewhere else

I wouldn't trust that shop.

 

Thanks for the reply so far.

Right now the car is still in the shop, so I haven't checked if the fuel pump primes/whines when I turn it to the "on" position.

Taking it to another auto shop seems like a better option, given the diagnosis the current shop is giving me.

A couple of other questions: is it even possible that my car can die because of the fuel pump/filter? What are some other common factors that can lead to the car not being able to start, other than a dead battery?

Thanks for your help everyone.

 

Fuel pump - yes

Fuel filter - unlikely. That would be a slower decline, and you would notice it.

Were you driving when it died or was it sitting for awhile and you tried to start it?

 

Car's fixed. Turned out to be the relay needing to be replaced. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

no problem.
another one solved by

 

funny!!! I'm looking at the same problem. I'm believing you guys about the fuel pump relay. Do you know where it goes? Save me some searching online.

 

Its located under the dash. Get it from AutoZone or some place like that. Dont get raped at the dealer.

 

I just changed mine out, and my car still isn't starting. It just keeps clicking. Hate this!!

And to those of you wondering about installation, it's pretty easy, no bolts or anything needed, just look under the dash in the foot well and look for the relay with a brown connector. Slide the relay up, then unhook the connector and swap. Slide the new relay back down and you're done.

 

Clicking? So you turn the key and you get clicking? So the engine is not evn turning over? If so that sounds like a solenoid, not a fuel pump relay.


Elaborate a little on the problem and I'm sure people here can give you some better advice.

 

If its clicking, check your battery. Then test the starter.

 

Anyone - I've just signed up hoping to get some feedback. Last week at a stop light the car died. All lights went off except the radio. I was able to start it again and make it home. I thought it was just a one-time happening. Then yesterday I got on the freeway and it quit again - same thing. I coasted off the freeway and was able to start it again and took it right home. I'm afraid to drive it again for fear of it NOT starting again. I'll take it to the shop but wanted some feedback before I do so. The check engine light has come on. Anyone out there with some advice?

 

Oh, my car is a 1997 Acura CL 3.0.

 

Try the first gen section?

 

Hey Azine peops. I have a 2001 Cl. Every once or twice a week for the last month, my car stals with the gas pedal down especially after just taking off, even when the car is warm. A few seconds later the engine comes back up full throttle. Any ideas what could be causing that? Fuel pump relay too? Thanks

 

Mine did that today for the first time coming home from work. I was doing about 25 mph and it just died. As it was coasting, I threw it in neutral and turned the key off then turned it to start and it started right up. Fuel pump relay?

Would the fuel pump relay be intermittent like mphomm's?

 

I can only say that when mine went (CLS6) my car was parked in the garage, turned the key and did not hear the usual FP sound before the start. I kept cranking with no result. Turned the key off/on, no FP sound, cranked again, no result.
Ordered the fuel pump relay and installed it. The FP sound returned when the ignition was turned on, car started up with no problem then and to this day. The fuel pump relay was a bit of a pain to install though; but, still a DIY.

 

where is the relay located on a 2001 arcura

 

We just now changed the fuel pump but there is no fuel pumping thru it. the car will turn over but won't start.

 

So how much does it usually cost to replace a fuel pump relay? 1996 3.2TL

 

I had a similar problem. I was worried it was the fuel pump, but I was able to occasionally start it using starter fluid, so I figured the pump itself was working. Brought it to a garage and they said the relay for the fuel pump is intermittent. Could that be your problem?

 

Fuel pump relay is under the drivers side dash. Just left IIRC of the center colum. Fuel pump relay is ussually a intermittent problem. Most often on hotter days. I would have to open windows and let thr interior cool off before it would start.

Swapping it out was pretty easy. Maybe 30 min.

To the guy who replaced the fuel pump and still not getting fuel, I would change that relay asap.

 

did this ever get fixed? My CL S 01 just started doing something similar, doesn't stall, but loses power and stumbles , then full throttle, for a minute, then it runs fine until I shut it off for a while? Driving me crazy! Joe

 

I have the 2003 CLS6 and it died on me today. After letting it sit for around 10 minutes I tried cranking it up again and it started right up. I started driving and 5 mins later it just cut off. Luckily I got it to a parking lot and based on the info I found from you guys and Acura, it might be my main fuel relay. So im either gonna try to drive the car to the acura dealership 25mins away or just get a tow truck.

 

a friend has a 2001 3.2CL and has the intermittent engine quitting problem, city streets, freeway, it just quits randomly. THen it starts up again after a short breather. Sounds like a Fuel Pump Relay after reading all the posts on different threads on this site.

 

^ check fuel pressure regulator...

 

Typically the fuel relay problem a lot of people have experienced starts happening on hot days. And mostly only when starting the car.

However, when my relay started having problems (the second time), the car would die randomly while driving. Really scary to lose power steering, brakes, and power while you're doing 70 on the freeway. Once I was parked for a few minutes, the car would start up fine. Then finally after the 4th or 5th time it happened, the car wouldn't start at all and had to get towed back. Relay was the first thing I replaced and haven't had a problem since. Consider doing this before you end up getting stuck somewhere and have to pay $150 for a tow. Good luck!

 

First thing to do is rule out the Main Relay by re-flowing its solder joints.

Everything there is to know about your Honda/Acura main relay:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainr....html#blueline
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainr...mainrelay.html

 

That's a good read. Lots of good info!

 

My CL was also stalling while driving. The last time it happened, the car would not restart and I had it towed home. When I looked at the schematics, I suspected the Main relay. When I read this thread I was almost certain this was the problem. I tried starting the car but still no start. I tapped the relay twice and voila, it started! After I read your post Tosh, I followed your links, pulled the relay, disassembled it, and found a bad solder joint. The relay is back in and I saved around $70. Thanks!!

 

Glad to help!