rlerman

I've tried to help people here so am hoping someone can help me. My 05 (104k miles) very infrequently, maybe once every few weeks, won't start the first time I try to start it. It cranks and the lights on the dash are on, but it keeps cranking. I turn the ignition back to off and try again, at which time it ALWAYS starts. It doesn't matter if the car has been sitting or it I just drove it. The battery tests good and the alternator is charging so I do t think they are the culprits. I also don't think it's the starter, mainly because over time it should get worse and it's not, it's almost like every 30 days. Key battery is new, no other electrical gremlins.

Any thoughts? I've read on older RLs and civics issues with the immobilizer, but no idea what how to test this.

Thanks for the help.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

it might be the starter.

rlerman

What makes you think so? Can it be tested? What I don't want to do is throw money at the issue, and I'm also afraid of having to go to a dealer to diagnose. I can fix things, but identifying the problem is much harder.

Anyone ever replace theirs? I have the shop manual, seems somewhat accessible.

oo7spy

Legend #1 was doing this when I sold it. From what I read, it was probably the fuel pump relay. You said that it does indeed crank?

rlerman

Yep, it cranks. Relay is in the fuse box? It does feel like it's not getting fuel. Cheap fix if that's it.

rlerman

I wasn't aware of this...

Acura TL Recall 07V097000: Apr 2, 2007

Called dealer and my VIN not included

oo7spy

I don't know where the relay is or if it's even the same system two generations later. Just thought it might be worth investigating.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Bet its the relay, it was a common and simple fix.

http://www.justanswer.com/acura/7o61...html#re.v/142/

rlerman

Thanks, looks like there are two, one in the fuse box as I thought and one in the driver footwell. I feel this is the problem, but we'll. thanks for the input.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Just remember all relays are not created equal, get a quality part.

rlerman

Right, what is the best brand for these?

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Standard makes a good part, they have two part numbers for solenoids and relays and you do not want the one that ends in a "T"

Standard® RY-1184 - Secondary Air Injection Relay

rlerman

There are two relays, one for fuel, one for starter. Any idea which one is more likely the culprit?

Standard Motor Products Relay
Sale Price:
$27.63
Quantity:

(5) In Stock
Part Number: 18273-07178338
Notes: Fuel Injection Relay -- Genuine Intermotor Qualit

Standard Motor Products Relay
Sale Price:
$6.98
Quantity:

(>35) In Stock
Part Number: 18273-05184999
Notes: Starter Relay -- Genuine Intermotor Quality

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

I would roll the dice on the fuel.

oo7spy

since you say the starter is cranking.

rlerman

There are two fuel relays, one for pump, one for injection. I assume its the pump relay I want. Is that under the hood or under the dash? Hoping hood. I can check later.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

I would do both.

oo7spy

Save yourself a trip back.

rlerman

Fwiw, the relays are located in the driver footwell, just to the left of your left foot. You have to remove the plastic housing that surrounds the fuses and you'll see the relays. Didn't pull the plastic off yet, but ordered the two relays...standard as heavy suggested.

oo7spy

rlerman

Replaced the fuel pump and injection relays today, time will tell. Usually has an issue once every few weeks, hopefully this takes care of it.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

I'm confident its fixed, especially since you didnt go cheap on the relays

rlerman

Happened again last night. Car had been sitting at the train station all day, got in, turned the key and it cranked, but wouldn't start. Turn it off, try again and it starts. Same exact pattern literally every few weeks. No change in the frequency it happens. Car shows no other symptoms of trouble, runs great. Plugs are new, battery a few months old (did same thing with previous battery). Baffling. I guess starter is next, maybe ignition coil?

oo7spy

I don't know how the starter connects to the battery, but maybe there is some corrosion on the terminals causing intermittent contact?

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

Check your grounds.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

damn it... sorry mang.

rlerman

Might be a dumb question, but how many ground points are there in the starting process? Is it just from the starter to the battery?

oo7spy

Service manual says there is only one ground for the starter. It probably goes to the chassis. However, it does mention ground wires for the engine can be the problem too. I suggest grabbing the STARTING SYSTEM.PDF from the service manual and going from there.

rlerman

I have that pdf...will take a look. Thx

rlerman

Cleaned the ground yesterday, it's down by the starter, have to pull battery to get down there, pretty tight, need king extension. Wasn't corroded or anything, but had some mild green corrosion around it. Battery cable windings also had some green corrosion on it. Cleaned it all up and we'll see what happens in a few weeks.

tyrenith548

Hope that's the fix good luck

shahram72

Mine has also done this a couple times, but not since the last battery replacement. Just before the last battery failed I also experienced a no crank which seemed like a bad starter, but then it was fine. Of course I have lots of stored codes for starting system failures, but then the battery failed completely and I replaced it and it's been fine since. A weakened battery causes all kind of weird and sometime seemingly unrelated problems on this car. I have seen it twice. Only had the car a few years and already killed 2 batteries. Have an Interstate in it now. Will see how long that lasts. How old is your battery? over 2 years? It's possible.

rlerman

Battery was replaced last November. Cleaning ground didn't work, experienced issue a few days ago. If it were the battery, I don't think it would start right up the second time. Since it does it very infrequently and always starts on the second try, I'm not going to bother with it. If it gets worse, I'll replace the starter next.

I do think Acura batteries are crap, not enough cca's. Advance auto carries a higher capacity battery I'm going to use when this one dies.

mark1980

I had a problem with my car displaying "Check Starting system" I replaced the started motor and it was doing the same thing. Turns out it was the starter relay. I replaced it and its all good now.

May be you should check the starter really as well. I don't know if there is a way to check and see if the relays are good.

Are you in the jersey city area I can swap out relays from my car if you want to test before you buy them.

rlerman

Swapped out fuel injection and fuel pump relay. Where is the starter relay located? Is it the "starter cut" relay you are referring to?

Im about 10 miles east of Princeton, Allentown nj.

shahram72

If the starter is cranking it's not the starter. This is not a cheap part on this car, don't do that. Relays should be a cheap try to fix option, no? Maybe I need one too, but I won't bother unless it happens again. Missing my old F-150.

mark1980

Yes I am talking about the starter cut relay.

I am actually in Jersey city. I might go to Philadelphia next week end. I take US-1 and go through the whole foods at Princeton. We can meet some where in the middle if you want to meet.

rlerman

Thanks, it's an intermittent (very) issue so replacing it won't yield an immediate different result. I'll have to replace it and wait a few weeks to see if it occurs. Where is the relay located? Driver footwell or somewhere else? I'm out of town and not in front of my manual.

I think there are two starter relays, btw. Both are pretty cheap.

mark1980

I replaced one under the driver foot well. Looks like it solved my problem. I am not totally sure though.

mark1980

Did you finally figure out whats going on?