This car has given me more problem than any jap car. Transmission is still limping along okay after a big fix. But today it really made my day.

while driving my 99 TL (110k) local, suddenly there were smoke coming out of the steering wheel, ignition area, and the green "key" light flashes(usually it goes on when you have the key half on), rpm drop to zero, and everything shuts down, while the car is rolling. Steering wheel real hard to move coz the power steer is off.

I search online, there were recall back in 2002 about the ignition switch, apparently, there are "ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH", and can "WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ". I checked with dealer, they said the recall was applied to this car back in 2002, and the recall ends when the car goes above 80k. (to their logic, human life do not count much after the car is above 80k), refuse to even look at it.

If I were on freeway doing 80, I could have been killed, having the car frozen up like that.

So if you have a 99/00 TL, and even if you're sure the 2002 recall fix was applied, apparently there are still the danger of the car shut itself down completely with 0.5 sec on freeway, w/ no way to turn the steering.

Goto a good shop and have them replace that phuckin cheap switch. Don't risk your life

 

almost all hondas from those years needed the ignition switch recalled

 

Yeah that true. but I didn't expect after the recall, and the fix was applied (wutever they did). It can still fail in such a spectacular way. I'd think they redesign the damn thing when the recall happened. I have 110k on it, never had accident, and very gently used, still....

I understand sh1t happens, but when smokes coming out of the car, and it shuts down entirely, threatening the life of the occupants, thats when I draw the line.

 

The recall fix was only 6 years ago.
I have home depot $0.49 switch that lasts longer than that.

 

Thanks for your report.

The ignition switches installed under the recall can and do fail. My 1999 TL is on its third ignition switch. I never got any smoke but I did have starting problems and power failures while driving.

You can also replace these yourself. It's about a $50 part and there's a link to a great DIY post in the DIY thread. I replaced the one in my TL.

 

Thanks for the head up, I already got the print out of the page, gonna order the part 35130-S84-305 and just go ahead do it. (well, after I check and see if there are anything else got phreakin burned because of it.)

 

if you only spoke to the service writer, go speak with the service manager in person to get your car done under recall (assuming not done before)
then you need to call acura corp
1 800-382-2238 x5
recalls do not expire in 6 years!~ they are govt mandated fixes that last until its been fixed! 2 or 5th owner- doesnt matter. Some still apply even in salvage cars

Acura does only have to fix it once is the stupid part~

 

while it may feel like you have no steering when the engine shuts off- its still there, just needs some manual force appied to the steering wheel to move the wheels

for you younger members, all cars used to steer like that!

 

 

Yes. Fixing it once was the answer I got from calling that number.
I'm getting a Lexus IS....

 

is this common in 2002 tl type s

 

ya it stupid how they only recall it onces. i had to replace mines my self after i toke it to the dealer and they wouldnt replace it cause supposely they did it already