2000tlrjm

Okay, here's how the story goes for now. I've noticed that sometimes when i start my car, it takes a little longer than normal. At first, I didn't really pay any attention to it, figuring it was a tune-up issue. Then, I happened to be at the gas station one night, filling up, and I went to start my car, and it wouldn't. I finally got it to start by slightly pressing the gas when I was holding the key down. I drove it for 15 minutes to the house and turned it off. I tried starting it about 15 minutes later, and the same problem, just not as bad. At that point my check engine and TCS lights were both on. The following morning, it started fine and I took it to have a diagnostics test done on it. The test showed that all but one cylinder was misfiring. Since then, the starting issue has been a hit and miss.

I was told that it was most likely my fuel filter/pump/strainer.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

sbuswell

What code did you get? P301-306? Is the code gone now? Run some good fuel system cleaner and see if that helps. It's a cheap try that may work. I'd recommend BG44K, Amsoil PI or Gumout Regane. Seafoaming the instake camber may help unclog for unwanted carbon deposits that may be having an effect here also.

01tl4tl

How many miles? Ever change the spark plugs? what year TL? give us a few clues.
Hard starting and using the gas pedal are not good signs

2000tlrjm

Okay, the car has 111,250 miles on it. It's a 2000 TL, yes it was codes P301-306, and yes they are gone now. But, every once in a while the check engine light comes on, so I imagine that when it comes on, the codes are logged back into the ecu.

I've already tried the Amsoil fuel treatment, and I got some Seafoam today. I've used it before, but I just want to make sure that I should remove the air filter hose from the throttle body and slowly pour it into the throttle body.

Thanks for the help everyone!

01tl4tl

hahhahaahahahha no
here is the place to put in seafoam- see the very last page of this thread -post number 147 for correct input port. This is not a pour in situation- you want solid vacuum
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=172163&page=6

Gfaze

Judging from the misfire codes you are getting, it sounds like you may have at least one failing spark plug coil. Even if it's only one bad coil the computer detects multiple cylinder misfires. I would try purchasing one new coil and replace each coil one by one until you find the defective one. Put it in, start the car. Still got codes and/or rough idle/starting? Take the new one back out, put the old one back in, remove the next one over, put the new one in and repeat. Do this until your car starts working normally.

2000tlrjm

How much are the coils and where could I possibly find them? Thanks!

Gfaze

Try these sites:
Acura Parts @ AcuraAutomotiveParts.org - Genuine Acura OEM Parts from Acura Carland

Acura Parts & Genuine Acura OEM Parts | Acura Body Parts @AcuraOEMparts.com

OEM Acura Parts

Or you could also find them at your local parts store such as AutoZone, Napa, etc.

sbuswell

How long has the CEL been off now? Have you driven much since the codes were cleared? If you are misfiring, the CEL should come on rather quickly after it's cleared. Probably within 1-2 days. I would drive her some more and see if it comes back on and if you get another P301-306 code(s) I'd buy 1 coilpack and start playing find the bad coil.

2000tlrjm

Okay, update. I haven't switched out any of the coils as of yet, and my car has been doing just fine here lately. It's still a bit hesitant to start every once in a while, but nothing like me having to press the gas after it starts. Basically, I'm waiting for the extra cash to replace all of the coils and my fuel pump/filter assembly, all at the same time.

Just wondering, but does anyone know of someone who may have some extra coilpacks they don't need anymore? If so, I would be more than happy to get them from someone on here, at a reasonable price of course.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Gfaze

The coil packs aren't that expensive. Usually $50 or so if you get them at your local parts store. I wouldn't replace the fuel pump yet though. Try to find the bad coil pack first. It's almost a guarantee you only have one bad coil. One bad coil can trigger multiple cylinder misfire codes, even though it may only be just one. (usually is just one)

sbuswell

just buy one coil now and see if that works.

2000tlrjm

Sounds good. I'll let you guys know what happens. Thanks for the help!

cubalibre1971

Before you start spending money, did you get the codes at the dealer? I had a 2000 TL with the same starting problem and the dealer reflashed the ECM with an update. There was an issue with winter fuel when the weather warmed a bit. If I remember, Acura issued a service bulletin for the reflash. Just a thought.

bibledriver

Also, if the engine is running fine, it is probably not the coils. I have only had one experience with these coils, but I am pretty sure that if they work they work, if they don't they don't.

Start with the least expensive. You never did say if you changed the plugs yet. Do the seafoam as prescribed, change the plugs and then get back to us. If that fails, then start working from there

2000tlrjm

Okay, update time. Sorry it took so long to respond on here. My life's been crazy as hell for the last two weeks. But anyways, I've done the Seafoam (twice) now, and I bought a replacement coil to test the others. I've not yet changed the spark plugs, as I've been low on extra cash here lately. But, I'm still having the same issues. My guess is that it's either the plugs or the coils, or a combination of the two. 5 coils left to buy, wow, lot's of money comin' up.

I'll post new updates as I can. Thanks everyone!

01tl4tl

You only buy ONE coil- then you try it on the first plug- no change, try it on the next and the next until engine runs better

bibledriver

Don't buy any more coils. Change the plugs first.

bibledriver

and change them while the engine is cold.

2000tlrjm

Why's that? I replaced the last coil on the right, on the front row of plugs. But I did it in between deliveries, so the engine was definitely not cold.

Is it normal to smell a faint hint of gas on a warm coil?

Gfaze

He means the spark plugs. Anyways, if changing the coil on that one didn't do it, move the coil to the next cylinder. Not fixed? Try the next one, and so on until you find the bad one.

2000tlrjm

Okay, will do. I'm gonna go out and try it right now. Thanks everyone! I'll update again in a couple of hours.

bibledriver

right, sorry. Change plugs only when engine is cold. Let us know if your coil excursion turns up any positive results.

slavver01

iTrader: (3)

when one of my coils went, you could def tell. the whole damn engine was shaking like it was gonna jump outta the bay. scared me shitless, thought my tranny was gonna exlode. but yea, buy one, and just go through the coils. mine happened to be the far right on the back side. new coil and it runs great now

bibledriver

I will be suprised if it turns out to be a coil.

BE CAREFUL with the coil you got so you can return it to parts store if not fruitful.

2000tlrjm

Do you think it's the plugs instead?

bibledriver

That would be my first guess. As I have experienced and also above stated, when a coil is out, it is out. Violent difference when one cylinder is not functioning at all. Not to mention, the plugs replaced is good to keep tuned up. But since you have a coil . . . try it out and let us know. Just be careful not to damage it and return it if it doesn't fix your problem. Then go get some NGK iridium plugs and replace them all (when engine is cold). See if that helps. Then you can go from there.

2000tlrjm

Okay, I've finally gotten everything taken care of now, and the final verdict was the ignition coils. i had two bad coils. well basically 2. i'm actually guessing when the problem first started, I only had 1 bad coil. Well, I replaced what I thought was the bad one. Everything was fine. Then, same issue, only with the shaking mentioned before added in. I bought another coil and replaced the back right. I also changed the spark plugs, so everything is running smoothly again. I greatly appreciate everyone's help with this.

I think it actually ended up being both the 2 coils and the spark plugs.

Again, thanks everyone!!!