If anyone can help please let me know. Most of the time when I get in my 01 cls it starts right up but on ocassions it doesn't. When this happens the car just cranks, but after about a 30-45 wait when I come back to try and start it - it starts. The problem doesn't happen often, but when it does happen it always at a bad time. I have taken it to the dealership, but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. So far its happened about 6 times Has this happened to anybody? If so, how'd you get it fixed?

 

I don't know about the CL-S, but my AV6 has hard, long starts sometimes and as I understand it, it's something to do with emissions control. How long do you hold the key and allow the engine to crank?

 

not too long...probably less than 5 seconds. I don't want to burn up my starter. Usually when I start the car it starts right up... no long cranking, no dead battery. Just cranks.

 

try letting it sit in the ON-II position for a couple of seconds before you crank it.... i think it lets the fuel pumps come on which should help it start a little easier

 

does it happen when the einge is hot, cold, after a rain fall, during high humidity, when its cold, when does it happen?

 

I've tried letting it sit on the ON position for as long as the security light goes out (key symbol in the instrument cluster) and it still happens.

 

The problem mostly happens late in in afternoon 3:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m. when I want to leave work...so it usually sits in the parking lot for at least 5 hours. The problem didn't start until 2 months ago...when it started getting hot and humid, but it still starts most days.

 

i would say check the PGM-FI relay when it does not want to start, have someone turn the key to the on posistion for you while you listen for the fuel pump. try taking the gas cap off and listening there you might hear it better. it should come on for a few seconds and then turn off. the relays are known for going bad, especially when its gets really hot they start to fail, then once it cools down they are fine.

 

I'll try that and see what happens. My cousin-in-law said the same thing when I talked to him today. I hope you both are right.

 

Had the same problem with my Maxima. It turned out to be one of the sensors. I think the knock sensor. But the CEL was on, and you would get a noticable smell of gas. How many miles are on your CL? Maybe your fuel injection system needs a cleaning.

 

I didn't smell any gas. I have about 47k on the car.

 

I have the EXACT same problem, only happens after work when its been out in the sun. I don't have any CEL. Is there a way to check the relay? Where is the relay located? (I really need to pick up a haynes manual for my car)

 

I bought the relay from the dealership. It cost around $80. If you can't get one from the Acura dealership, you can get one from the Honda dealer. The relay is located (looking up at the steering column from the floor) on the right hand side. When you unplug it from the harness compare it to you new relay. The new relay will be slightly larger in height but the pins will be the same. The new relay has been on for about 3 weeks now and no problems If you live in VA, it's been pretty hot the past couple of weeks..at least 100 degrees. Oh if this helps the old relay will be black and held in with a 10mm. It'll be easier to remove it so the relay hangs down. The new relay I got from Honda was grey.

 

Provided your fuel pump relay is fine... (you can hear the pump priming with key on)

Has any of you noticed that when you normally crank your engine (3 to 5 sec.) it actually fires when you let go of the key to release the starter?
If you crank longer (5 to 8sec) it will eventually start regardless of the starter sucking the battery and lowering the ignition coils primary voltage.

If you crank longer there is enough unburned gas wetting the plugs to help a weak spark to fire up. If you let go of the key after the starter reaches its average crank speed, then the battery voltage jumps back up to around 12 and gives you a stronger spark.

 

have you though that its a bult in feature so you don't mess up the starter? like a delayed start so that it starts the car when you let go of the key, but if you keep it cranking longer it will start it anyway so you don't flood the engine.