Hello guys,

First post on here.​​​​​​I own a 2001 Acura TL that for some reason isn't starting. I turn the key, hear the starter relay click, but then there's no crank.

It happened out of the blue one morning so it didn't seem like starter failure. The starter had worked completely fine every time before. Battery is fine, measures around 12v. Ground is fine, I cleaned it just to be sure.

When I tried to jump the car nothing changed.

All fuses, including #13 Starter Signal are good. I even replaced #13 just to be sure. I then checked the PGM-FI main relay and took it apart, no burnt connections, it clicked when I turned the key, everything seemed fine.

I then thought it must be the starter, so I measured voltage from the battery to the starter. The starter was only getting 8.5v when I turned the key, so I think it must be a problem before the angry pixies get to the starter.

I read up on the Neutral Safety Switch, and replaced that today. No change. I know it's installed correctly because the main relay only clicks if I'm starting in P or N, but not D or R.

I'm really at a loss here. Luckily, I have an NA Miata that's been a lot more sympathetic to me and my need for a working car, but it would be nice for my TL to work to. This seems like a semi-regular problem for 2g TLs, do you guys know anything else I could check?

 

Not that I'm very mechanically inclined, but I'm sure there are still a lot of things you could check. Hopefully someone more experienced than I am will chime in shortly....

 

On my TL, my starter stopped working because the solenoid had slightly twisted in its mount, and the actuator wasn't pushing up reliably anymore. I just had to reach in there and twist it a bit to fix it. Luckily mine had markings from the factory on how to align in.

Have you tried beating on your starter with a metal pipe or like an extension socket while someone turns the key?

 

Why does 8.5v on the starter prove that the starter isn't the problem? Couldn't your starter have a short or be failing? Seems likely either grounding (which you already checked) or the starter.

Starter is easy to replace, and if it's the original there's a good chance it's going out.

I had the exact same single click and it was the starter.

 

The problem is probably the starter solenoid. You can test the starter and the solenoid by disconnecting the wires running to the unit and jumping it straight to the battery. The starter requires a minimum of 8.5 volts and 380Amps to crank. I believe most of the auto part stores will test the system for you. If the battery is is at 12.7 volts or so then it is probably the starter, I haven't seen anyone rebuild a solenoid in decades but is should be possible but probably more expensive.

 

Yes, the service manual nicely guides you through the process to diagnose the problem when the "car won't start."