I know this has been discussed before, but I'm not the most mechanically inclined person so bare(sp) with me. I know that some type-s have had problems w/actuators which means the car aren't as quick. What exactly do I look for under the hood to tell if the actuators are working. (please be specific since I'm a bit of a moron)

Also since I'm on the topic of actuators, my car makes a slight noise/vibration when I first start the car and put it in drive. It is only for a sec and then a few seconds later for another sec. Took it to dealer and they said it's normal. Not sure if he's just shruggin me off or if it really is normal. Any suggestion?

Thanks for puttin up with all the text and any help is greatly appreciated!

 

The electronically controlled actuator opens up a trio of butterfly valves at 3800 rpm in the intake plenum. This has nothing to do with VTEC. The acutator problem is only present on early generation CL-S (build dates 2000) but for the paranoid head over to Chod's CL-S FAQ and look for the actuator movie.

http://www.geocities.com/~gamesmgr/chod/acura/

 

The two short buzzing sounds are from your ABS system...nothing abnormal, they are presurizing.

The actuator is located on the windshield side of the engine, just about dead center...it looks like a value. When you rev (constant rev) the car to 4000 RPMs you will see it click open...that means it's fine.

 

Thanks for the help guys!

 

The noise could also be the auto-tilt backup mirror. When you put the car in reverse, the passenger side mirror tilts down, when you put the car in drive it tilts up again. The noise is very noticeable.

 

That's true...turn the mirror switch to the right or left (that will trn off the tilt mirror) and see if it still makes the noise...if it does it's your ABS, if it doesn't then it was your mirror.