After 2 trips to the dealer service shop, I was told I either had to replace the Thermostat (about $250) and/or the engine computer (about $1200). Since they had checked the thermostat and it was opening properly, they said the computer was the thing I should work on first (it cannot be returned once the package is opened; ie. YOU PURCHASED IT, NO RETURN). Since I was having no apparent problems I did some more research on my own, and voila, they were WRONG !

That code basically says the engine coolant is running hotter than normal or is too low. I had to get the users manual out to find where the coolant reserve tank was hidden under the hood. I then took my flashlight and shined it into the reserve tank, so I could read the level of the coolant. It was below the minimum level. I added some of the 50/50 coolant mix for aluminum engines (under $9 at Trac Auto). After driving the car for about 30 miles, the engine check light went out.

The dealers shop said I was crazy and that could not fix the problem, since they "supposedly" had hooked the system up to their machinery and checked everything, including fluid levels. I nicely told them that the reserve tank should not have been empty, especially if they had topped off the fluids; "NOT"! , as they claimed.

Another person was at the dealer for the same problem and was about to have them put in a new computer. He overheard me talking with the dealer and told them to STOP IMMEDIATELY. He had them look at his coolant reserve tank and it too was empty. He bought the extra coolant I had in my trunk (paid me what I had paid for the whole gallon; car only needed about a quart) and filled his coolant reserve tank. He took my phone number, too. I got a call from him, and he said that on his way home, after about 25 miles of driving, his engine check light had also gone out.

Acura neeeds to update their code manual to say: CHECK THE COOLANT LEVEL, via the coolant reserve tank, FIRST.

 

I know they're suck at dearler .... Code P0128 = coolant thermostat ( coolant temp below thermostat regulating tempature ) .... the first thing they should check with a coolant related problem is the Collant Level ....
I hope you find the problem ....but check if there's any leak of coolant 'cause the level should not be low in your reserve tank .

 

in canada, under consumers protection act, they can face some pretty big fines for miss diagnosis and trying to trick the customer...

dont know about america, but i would fight. small shops like that shouldnt be around

 

Codes DO NOT tell the problem. They point out things to look at. Adding coolant to the overflow tank shouldnt have done that. Radiator maybe, overflow no.

 

I wish America is like this, but unfortunately it's not. and it wasn't a small shop he took it to, he took it to acura. Some asshole who is no longer working there, told me that Acura would only pay for half of my blown tranny which was under the recall. I called acura headquarters and they told me that my car was still covered, I took it back to the same place, but different guy, and got it done for free, rental car and everything. I did pay for a timing belt change, and changed the broken motor mount at the same time while the tranny was out.

I'm have the CEL light on right now, before it was both the TCS and CEL light on at the same time, but now just the CEL. Hoping its the same problem, I'll head to honda tomorrow and buy coolant.

 

Where is the coolant reservoir for my Acura rl? Check engine light came on last month and I replaced coolant temp sensor and thermostat, light was gone.. Now it's on again sending the same code. Any one have answers?

 

Welcome to the forum This is the TL side - you'll want the RL side.

Try going here and post a new thread:

AcuraZine RL/RLX Community - AcuraZine Community

 

RL4Life
did you ever figure the problem out? I’m having the same issues. I replaced the same parts and the radiator cap… still the engine light is on.