I recently purchased an '05 RL and I've noticed that, when it is approximately 10 degrees or colder, when I start the car, both my AWD and VSA indicators come on in the dash. I've definitively noted it happens ONLY when it's this cold or colder. I've taken it to an auto shop, and he said the diagnostic is saying the problem is within the AWD computer (forgive me but I don't have the specific code). He cleared the computer codes, and I monitored it and as soon as it got below 10 degrees, the same behavior happened. My mechanic verified the same code is being thrown. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have an estimate on the cost to replace the AWD computer?

Thank you

 

check battery before you replace the computer

 

Really? Never thought to check that, but I will. I'm guessing your thought is that during those more frigid temperatures, there is an issue with the battery? I will get the battery checked out. But, I just thought it may be worth it to check the AcuraLink messages to see if there is anything there about the AWD listed there too.

 

Your battery is dying. Don't spend more than $120 on this.

 

These threads are why we log in every day... :welcome: OP

 

Oh my Lord...

Replacing computer?

God bless Acurazine...

 

 

What are the codes that keep resetting? A battery may or may not fix it. An SH-AWD or VSA code could be set by many things...a specific code gives you a place to start.

 

While it is true that it could be a real issue, 19/20 times we see VSA errors here it is battery. SH-AWD follows shortly after on the syndrome list.

 

C'mon sOLLEx....

 

Dealer techs...

 

Worse than trying to joke with an engineer.

 

Holy hell. I had a similar issue recently, this makes so much sense now. Awesome.

 

You take that back!

 

hahahahahha!! thought you'd like that.

 

Common occurrence on my 05 in very cold weather . It clears up when you restart the car after driving for a while.

 

I've noticed this as well. Is there anyway to prevent this? Is it just a battery change?

 

It's likely a combination of an older battery and cold weather. The battery may have reasonable life left (6 mo, 12 mo, or more) but just can't perform to the standards of a new battery. If it's an Acura battery, the CCAs are on the low end to begin with.

 

I do not believe this is a battery problem. I replaced my battery about a week ago. Yet I had the same VSA and SH-AWD warnings come up yesterday. It came on at first but when I restarted the car it went away. Pretty sure this is just some kind of defect when it gets really cold.

 

Trust the people that have been on this forum for years. The vast majority of the time when the SH-AWD/VSA error message pops up, it's due to a weak/failing battery. The RL does weird things as the battery approaches EOL.

 

A new battery does not equate to a good battery. Batteries have defects too.

 

The battery is an optima red top, I see no reason why it should be defective. Again, maybe some people do have older batteries and these warnings come up as a result, but in my case this is not due to the battery but something else. Not a big deal though since once I restart the car (or it warms up) they go away.

 

Mexico Red Tops die too... I think someone else on this board had a sensor issue with similar symptoms.

 

Just for shits and giggles, everyone take your brand new batteries and let them trickle charge for 2 days and report back with what happens. Cold weather alone does not cause a car to set codes, period. Since the 05 is the bastard year, we know the range switch, driver fuse box, brake switch, vsa modulator, and pcm software in general is known to have issues. So.......go get yourself a $25 Schumacher 1.5A Speed Charge at Walmart, and let the battery charge until the little green light comes on and then go see what the car does.

 

I've had my RL for 8yrs, almost 220k KM and on my 3rd battery. The only time I see the VSA/AWD error is when it is bitterly cold.

 

 

Wait, so don't take out my battery? lol

 

You can chase codes all you want, but the reality here is that if you search this board (and others) then you will see time and time again batteries test "good" and still cause issues in the car.

A service tech is trained to follow the codes and trouble shoot, that's why the codes exists... the consumer has many options and one is to use forums like these that are fueled by historical knowledge and the mistakes of others.

You, as the owner, get your choice.

Now on to the common sense...

YES, we all know that the cold weather slows electrons and exasperates issues in weak batteries. So that being said, you either ditch the battery, or deal with it until it leaves you stranded. Keeping in mind that a weak battery causes strain on the alternator and electrical components.

This isnt your cousins z-28 that will start and give no issues with a 8year old no name battery.

ALSO, Optimas are garbage... they are made in mexico and people buy them because of the name, if you want to spend top dollar on a battery get yourself a Braille.

 

False.



I think sOLLEx was agreeing. He was saying that to prove it is the battery (even a new one), trickle charge it and the symptoms will go away. IOW, even a new battery can be weak enough in the cold to cause the issue. It's not the car.

 

That was just a rant, not directed at anyone...

And Mah bad...

 

Optima Red Tops are not what they used to be. My car ate one when the alternator went out. It was about a year old. Got it replaced under warranty. Brand new one had a dead cell in it, (tested by both Acura dealer and Advance Auto Parts who sold me the battery). Got my money back and installed an Acura battery. No troubles since.

I ran a Red Top in my Prelude for 5 years with no issues whatsoever. Put one in our TL and it has been okay. After 3 years, it's definitely not cranking the way it used to, especially in the cold.

 

I was a huge optima fan in the early years when I had big stereos and isolators.

Lately, in the past 5 years, they have just been terrible.

But I call them Mexico batteries because they changed their assembly locations around the same time the suck started.

 

Also false.

 

hahaha...

 

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I replaced the battery and today, in approximately 7 degree weather, I get the same behavior. I'm convinced it's either truly broken or the cold is a bigger culprit than I expected.

 

What a shocker. Well at least now you have a good battery to test with!

 

I have just come to accept it as a quirk of my 05.