Hey everyone --

I'm new to the community, but it seems to be a good one; hope to be a valued member.

I bought a 2003 TL-s a few months ago, and it's been running great. First Acura, and I love the car.

A few days ago, I came home from work, and parked my car, a couple hours later, realized I needed to get a few things at the store, got in, and tried to start her up.

Nothing. No clicks, didn't even try to crank.

The lights went on, radio, headlights, etc.

Turned the headlights on before I tried to crank, and they did not dim -- so did not think it was the battery considering I didn't even hear the solenoid kick in and tick, but I tried to jump anyway to try to rule this out.

As suspected, after trying to jump, no change.

The following day I checked all the relevant fuses under the hood, and in the drivers and passenger's side fuseboxes -- all good.

Today, tested the starter -- current was getting to the starter when I turned the key, but nothing happened -- no clicks, didn't try to crank, nothing.

So, I figured since power was getting there but it wasn't doing anything with it, it must be the starter -- went out and bought one, and threw the new one in.

After I replaced the starter, I figured I'd be all set -- jumped in and tried to start her up, and same thing -- nothing.

I did notice a couple odd things that may be of help to those who know acuras:

• The immobilizer light used to flash a couple timed when I started the car, now it doesn't even come on.
• The check engine light does not come on at all (not even for the test) -- although this light was not on before, it does not even 'test' now.

It's weird -- It happened out of the blue. No trouble starting before this.

I've looked around and read about the PGM-FI main relay, and I think I may try this next, but haven't found where it is yet. Seems like it's hidden; buried under the dash.. If that's not it, I'll try the ignition switch then the immobi unit.

Anyone have any idea what this could be?

Any direction would be amazingly helpful.

Thank you all very much in advance. I really appreciate all of you taking your time to read this and hopefully guide me in the right direction.

 

Hey Odindali, welcome to Acurazine !
I'm unsure if you tried a different key, but sometimes the immobilizer doesn't read a particular key. Try moving the shifter to "N" and while depressing the brake pedal, jiggle the key in the ignition switch.....ya may get lucky if it's the switch or an interlock.

 

Recheck the main fuses up under the hood, then if ok...
check #13 located in the passenger's side lower panel fuse box.

 

Thanks for the speedy responses 3.2TLc.

I unfortunately only have one key for the vehicle -- so I have not tried an alternate key yet. I will have to have a new one made to do this, which I believe entails me bringing the car to the dealer to pair the key with the car (assuming here that the key is the problem, so wouldnt want them to replicate the one I have). Please correct me if i'm wrong about this procedure. I will be calling the dealer tomorrow to see if they can do it without the car there if i bring proof of ownership and the vin or something similar.

I did try jiggling both the key and shifter, and trying to start it in neutral, with no avail.

I will be checking fuse #13 on the passenger side tomorrow as you recommended.

 

Its not your key. If it was the immobilizer the car would crank but not start. Check the fuses first.

 

Hey everyone --

Thanks for all your help.

It ended up being the the ground. I can't believe I missed that one!

No parts stores in the area stocked the negative battery cable, so I had to make one.

I will be posting pictures and instructions for this for anyone who is interested in the next few days.

Thanks again everyone.

 

I have a similar issue like yours...my car won't start...I hear 1 click when I try to start my car, but no cranking. The immobilizer light doesn't even come on. I have full battery to everything.

So your issue was that you had a bad negative battery terminal or cable?

 

Hey AcuraTLFan, if ya have a similar problem.......try replacing the entire ground cable and terminal with new parts. Ya can make your own or buy one already made up at most any auto parts store. Just be sure to get the proper length and terminal size.

An easy cheap thing to eliminate as the problem, ya may get lucky. If not, check all main fuses, relays and starter solenoid.

 

Hi I have the same problem my car will crank and everything will turn on in the car. Can I see the pictures of what you did to fix the problem?

 

Even though it was a ground this time, those same symptoms can be a flaky PGM-FI Main Relay, so look up under the dash to the left so you'll know what to tap on when you get another no-start, or whatever other weird things can happen (stalling at speed).

Everything there is to know about your Honda/Acura main relay:
How the Main Relay works
When the Main Relay goes bad

 

Yours is cranking, so NOT the same problem. Yours might be that relay?

 

[QUOTE=Tosh;15768042]Even though it was a ground this time, those same symptoms can be a flaky PGM-FI Main Relay, so look up under the dash to the left so you'll know what to tap on when you get another no-start, or whatever other weird things can happen (stalling at speed).

Everything there is to know about your Honda/Acura main relay:
How the Main Relay works
When the Main Relay goes

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