I have a 2nd gen, 99 TL with approx 160k miles. I am a new member to this wonderful site, so forgive me if I am repeating prior posts. Over the past few years, I would have infrequent problems where the car would turn over but would not ignite. I had learned to walk away for about 10 minutes each time and try again and it would crank like nothing ever happened. It was more of a nuisance than a problem. Over the past month or so, the nuisance has turned into a dangerous problem.

Several years ago, I had the ignition system recall done. I'm not sure if that fixed anything or not. The symptoms have increased in frequency to almost a daily occurrence. Also, the car has stalled 3 times in the past month without any indication. Thank God that each time it happened, we were able to coast the car off the road without accidents. Again, you give it about 10 minutes and it will start back. Approx. 10 days ago, I had the ignition switch replaced. The symptoms continued after the new switch was installed. Tomorrow, I am going to Acura to buy a new fuel pump relay. Is this a job that a DIYer can do, or do I need to let a pro install it?

I am leaning towards this relay because of the many posts on this site that appeared to be having the same symptoms. By the way, the green key light does not come on when the car will not crank. All other dash lights come on.

Also, does anyone know the part # that I should ask for?

Thanks for the many prior posts and any responses on this post.

 

parts store for a relay, but you can test it by swapping with same color unit- located under hood

another OE switch was installed? or aftermarket?

 

would this the main relay that I'm asking for? I'm not clear on what an oe switch is. I'm not a very good mechanic. I'm just trying to get educated so that I know that I'm not being BSed when I do go to the mechanic.

Also, in some post I read, it said to stay away from dealer for parts and labor and diagnostic. I'm not sure what to do next. Please help !!!!!!!!!

 

when you open the hood there are several plastic boxes with covers
these are the fuse and relay boxes, what each controls is printed on the cover

relays are ~1" square plastic covered part- grey- black- red etc. pull up to remove
several others in same box will be the same color- those are the same part.
swap the one for ignition with another or a spare

OE means original equipment/dealer part,,
on the ignition switch for example. I suggest one from a regular parts store

 

Thanks man, your a life saver. I'll try it out in the am and post back the results.

Are the unlabelled relays "spares"?

 

no, spares will be marked spare next to it,,I know there are spare fuses,,not sure on relays

 

fuses have color but relays have no color. There is one 60amp fuse in there that is marked IG1 in the circuit schmatic.

 

also, I tt the guy at the acura dealer, he said it sounded like relay and immobilizer.

 

also what is the "pcm"?

 

power control module = cars brain unit
immobilizer possible but rare problem
start with relays,,even that main one,,plus ignition, starter,,whatever you can find (not looking at my car right now)

 

Success!!!!! It was the main relay under the dash aka the pgm-fI main relay. Once I changed it out and washed the blood off of my knuckles, I took her for a ride and she even sounded better than she did when I first bought her. I was so happy, I even changed the burnt out clock light for her birthday.

Everybody please say happy birthday to my 12 year old TL. Best car I've ever owned. Thanks guys!!!! especially 01tl4tl ! I owe you one.

 

can you tell me exactly where that is? I've found where the fuse box with the Ig1 main was that you talked about a few posts earlier, but where/what does the pgm-fI main relay look like? Is it in the same section as the Ig1 main??