ive had 2 occasions where the car didnt start. lights on dash would come on but car wouldnt crank.replaced ignition switch last year and replacd starter after that. after 20-30 min on both occasions car would then start. but initially you would only here a "click" when attemping to start. upgraded to platinum plugs last week. any ideas or ssuggestions?

 

just a click means starter is not engaging could be the starter or the switch itself... doesn't mean your starter is bad but bad ground or corroded connections, worth a check.

 

how is platinum an upgrade? what did you put in exactly and what came out?
car year is 99? guessing based on ign switch

parts stores will test entire system from wires thru starter-batt-yada
wires a good suspect, if you had a bad crud prob on terminals- ck the wires for sure

 

yes, it is a 99tl, upgraded to platinum from what is recommended in manual and ngk website. hope that helps

 

iirc 99 came with iridium, then acura went platinum for 00+, who UPGRADE to Iridium at plug change time

were they about 8 dollars each= Im making sure the correct plugs went in!
books can be wrong~

got it to the parts store for the electrical system test yet?

 

the maanual calls for ngk-pzfr5f-11 and those plugs are like 2.89 a plug but ive just installed ngk-zfr5fgp which were 3.19 a plug approx. the manual doesnt indicate that they're recommended plugs,pzfr5f-11, are platinum. i may be wrong and ill take your word bcause you have been spot -on w/ many issues.

 

Next time it happens, have someone tap the starter while you hold the key in the crank position. If it starts with a tap, 99% probability it's the starter.

 

Make sure your battery terminals are clean and making good contact.

 

How old is the battery? Have you charged it & then load tested it yet? Def. try what TLer trash suggested also. Free & easy.

 

battery is only 2 yrs old and the battery post are clean. how long is the life of a starter. it was running very well prior to the spark plug change last week, since then it has failed to start on 3 occasions. any other suggestions. i will have that electrical test done this afternoon. also replaced the ignition switch 2 yrs ago

 

ahhh Yeah~ its running like that becasue you have the wrong spark plugs in it and the hi energy ignition has destroyed them

Remove a few fronts to confirm, then take them all out and return to parts store for an informational discussion on right part, with full refund plus correct parts at a discount

the right plugs cost about 8 dollars each, they are very hi tech and will fix your problem

dont have the part number in front of me, and its different for typs S so that matters when you order.

ask for ngk IRIDIUM IX
if they cant find it ask for 2004 TL plugs, and you will get Iridium!
tell them the price and that narrows it down quickly

worst- they were probably trying to do you a favor with the cheap plugs!!

 

ignition switch will fail again, if 99 probably 2-3 times in cars life

battery can fail at any time! lucky to get 3 maybe 4 years of most batts anymore
heat and vibration, unable to- or forgot to top off fluid as needed= bakes them

crudded inside cables carry too much resistance and power cant get thru fully

 

each letter or number of spark plug means something about its size, heat range, materials, and performance
those are so non matching to spec,,, its an obvious problem~

 

currently cannot afford $8 spark plugs...do you suggest replacing the old ones back in since it was running fine with those for some time...this problem only started after i put the platinum plugs in ...b4 that it was the ngk v-power plugs....basically the least expensive ones.... n thx for your advice and what else can i do right now since i cant afford the $8 plugs

 

Shift gear back and forth, then back to Park, then start it again. just to make sure it wasn't transmission position switch.

 

sorry 4 the delay,on vacation...turns out the screw on the side of the starter w/ plastic cover was broke and not makin contact....replaced starter although that 1 was still good....

 

But how did you go on vac. & repl. the starter if unable to afford $8 spark plugs-?
Glad you figured it out.

 

once home while removing the starter i noticed the bolt was loose. when i removed the plastic cover,the bolt just fell off. that answered the question why it wasnt starting all the time, it wasnt makin contact