first day on this site so very new to it, i currently own a 2002 acura tl type s. the problem i am having is when i sit at a red light my car seems to idle by its self and all the elsectrical dims in th e car, any idea what could be causing this? any help is very much appreciated

 

go to a parts store right now
ask then to do an electrical system test--it cks the battery alternator wires etc
and see if that finds the problem

winter puts the hurt on older- 3-4 year old batteries

is there a CEL light on dash?
ask parts store to scan for codes too--also free (not avail in Ca.)
write down exactly- any codes and report them back here..do not buy anything yet!! codes are clues

is the idle just a little rough and stays near 800,,or drops to 500 and lights dim,
or jumps from 1000-1500 and back down repeatedly?

did you just get the car?
spark plug condition? age? correct ngks if recent plug change

as many details as you can recall will help us narrow the search for you

 

What dou mean idles by itself? Does it idle high? Idle low? Do the rpms bounce up and down?

 

let us know how the new alternator/battery works out

 

Hey Beerazz, welcome to the "Acurazine" site.......the best place to get all the answers necessary for keeping your car and you both happy. Then some Beerazz !

So, you're sitting at a stop light and the car is idling by itself.....that's not in itself all that bad, as I hate it when the car tends to stall and die ! Now, moving along.....you stated that all the electricals dim, can you explain the details a bit better ?

It would appear that your motor is struggling to run, perhaps a low or erratic idle. If you are not handy with cars, just take it to a local parts store as 01tl4tl previously suggested. They can read the codes if the "CEL" is on .....and load test your entire electrical system for you. This would help narrow down the problem somewhat. It simply could be the battery or charging system. If the car is running poorly, you may need to consider a basic tune-up and some other "PM" required as our cars age.

 

but lets start with the parts store free test of the electrical and a code scan
4 minutes out of your life!

lights dim at idle and car runs poorly usually points to alt or battery--

 

I hope he doesn't live in Cali because I just recently learned that at least autozone does not let you use and OBD scanner anymore. Something about state law. So I had to buy one to see what was going on with my car. It was 39.99 and of course they said noted that I couldn't bring it back for a refund.

 

yep Cali is F'ed up. Why they wont let parts stores read the codes for you is beyond me. Personally with all the shit the govt is mandating on cars now days, i think the car displaying codes should be one of them.

 

Perhaps the dealerships complained to the government. My Acura dealer wants $90 just to plug in the scanner to read a code. Anyway, it's good for the government....they get more tax income this way. Politicians can drive more expensive cars.

 

I havent had any problems with Autozone here in San Diego? Well Not in the Last Year...
My only ECU Related Problem was last year when I set my ABS Sensor too Loose and throw several Codes.

 

It is probably the alternator, battery, or both. If it is the alternator, get it fixed ASAP as the longer you wait, the more it permanently drains the battery and the battery may have to be replaced too.

 

it all depends on which one you go to.. and probably if you're a frequent customer.

i go to the autozone near my house often for oils and stuff.. if the usual guy isn't there.. there's a guy about my age who doesn't mind scanning either.

took my friends car when he had a code, they didn't mind scanning it.

 

Ca smog laws cancelled the free code reading at parts stores
but allows purchase of scanner right at the store or harbor freight tools has a good one under 100 bucks
we need obdi II (2)

the rule allows certified smog shops to charge a`diagnostic fee` usually up to 1.5 hours at full shop rate,,,and doesnt include any fixing work--just their interpretation of the codes!!

non smog shops can use the scanner, and get to charge you 60-90 bucks to plug it in and tell you the codes
not the fix,,just the codes

its all so smog shops can do official diagnosis (the sweet money) and repairs (some profit off actual work and parts) =
to make up for all the 20$ inspections done `with a coupon` each day

Got to make it worth the shops trouble to want to be in the business, = pay the govt lots of fees and legal concerns over smog cheaters
Each machine is well over 50 grand and lots of $$ to service it and stay in compliance,,or lose shop/tech license to to any smog work,,or any work ~

Only a fool pays the 70$ `listed smog test fee`!
plus 1.50 phone fee and 8 to the state,,80 bucks
way more in many places!
pennysaver or local paper-coupon book for 19.99 + req fees = 30 bucks out the door in less than 30 minutes (there are extensive visual and mechanical test done)

 

trans shops will usually scan for free,,and muffler shops may be able to help
the main thing is the shops wanted the parts stores out of the free diagnosis biz,

 

definitely muffler shops.