toydriven808

Im really debating selling this car already, i've had it for about 2 months and its been nothing but problems. First starter went out. Next the mirror blew up. And not this. It seems to be a problem with the vsa system. While driving wither the left or right front wheel will start braking for no reason. Ive done a search and found fixes from wheel speed sensors and a yaw sensor? With just buying the car and having to spend money fixing it already I'm low on funds so I'm wondering what everyone suggests I do first? If its something that I have to take to the dealer for then I guess I'm stuck with always turning it off because im not paying their prices. Is there a fuse or anything for the vsa so I don't have to turn it off everytime I start the car? Thanks

toydriven808

I forgot to mention that when it happens the triangle light blinks then when the braking stops the triangle light and vsa lights turn on.

totaledTL

Sounds like one or both speed sensors is whacked. I would first pull the wheels and inspect the sensors, wiring & sensor wheels. Look for any damage and make certain everything is securely mounted. It may be something simple that you can see & fix.

I personally haven't had any experience with that system (mine has worked fine so far). Hopefully somebody w/ a similar incident under their belt will add something helpful.

01tl4tl

based on your location I would start with cking wheel speed sensors for salt corrosion.
located behind brake rotor,,the toothed ring and a speed sensor next to it
the wires on those are known to fail internally, give a gentle tug on it, if it pulls loose you found the problem
The triangle is vsa/traction control/abs active at that moment,,may vary by year
What is your year and miles, we can point out other things to do to make the car right again,,,its just behind on maitenance

but start with a trip to any name brand parts store, ask for a `code reading`- its free!!

that will give us an idea what the car thinks might be wrong
those codes are clues `not diagnosis in themself`, but they will point us

Does it only do the brake thing below 16mph? or higher speeds too?
that narrows down the possible failures-
it sounds like the ABS is activating when it thinks 1 wheel is faster than the other, and applies brake rapidly on and off to reduce the offenders speed

does it literally pump the pedal under your foot? thats ABS active for some reason

the mirror is a common prob, we have dealers on here that will sell a new updated wont blow up version for cost + at 75$,,retail 150
dont buy a used one online, its also a defect unit that someone else replaced!

theres a fuse and relay for everything on the car..most relays are under the hood

01tl4tl

now that you have found acurazine- there is almost nothing you need the dealer for!!

We can lead you thru things and have an excellent DIY section written by members actual experiences

toydriven808

Thanks for all the input. I'll check those sensors next time I get a chance.

It's a 2002 type-s. with 110k. Everything was fine until about two days after I replaced the starter.

I haven't really got a chance to see how fast I was going but I'm guessing it faster then 16 because it does jerk the car left or right to a point where I go into the other lane and cars behind me slow down lol. I'm guessing I'm at around 20-25mph.

Does oreileys still do the code readings? Last I heard they don't do that anymore.

totaledTL

If that's happening I would check them now, or don't drive it until it's fixed...

toydriven808

Lol. I make sure to turn it off when I drive it.

toydriven808

Well I just checked them and couldn't find anything that looked broken. I cleaned then and reinstalled them then started the car and the vsa and triangle light came on right away. Did the ecu reset and restarted and the lights never came on. Haven't had a chance to test drive it but I will later on today.

Would it be possible for the sensors to be outta wack just from them being dirty? There was a small amount of shavings. But it was a very small amount.

01tl4tl

SHAVINGS???!!! what kind and where?
cleaning may solve the problem- thats why we started you there, before randomly buying parts

now the biggie of expenses- was the 105 service done?- thats 1000-1500$ of timing belt/water pump and a few small things
new spark plugs if not done before then

toydriven808

Not sure where the shavings came from. Didn't see anything obvious that it could of came from. Just figured it was from something unrelated like road dirt or something.
I'm not sure about the 105 service. I got the car at 109 and when I bought it he didn't mention it do I'm guessing not. Are those timing belt replacment kits I see online legit? Thinking of just tackleing it myself along with the spark plugs and other things. I guess I know what I'm getting for Christmas this year. Haha.

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

toydriven808

Oh and the shavings were stuck on the little magnet on the sensor. I was thinking that was throwing the sensor off. It wasn't much at all tho. Thanks

01tl4tl

our sponsor prestige acura has a 295$ full 105 kit, they will add or subtract parts to it and customize for you too..see the black market- sponsored sales threads for details

at least use an acura wp, they are well proven at this point, so is their timing belt
Gates parts would be my choice for anything else you need, or use all gates- they
have been making good stuff forever

Old owner likely got quote of 1500-2000 dollars at dealer and sold the car
happens all the time

adjust the valves, clean egr ports and passage system while its apart
make the car like new !

01tl4tl

anything at all on the sensor or the ring its reading ,,will screw it up

were the shavings bright-new?
are your pads and rotors good?
or maybe replaced after being worn well past the warning noisemaker at 2mm pad thickness? like worn to bare metal on metal? = shavings on sensor

toydriven808

The shavings were pretty dirty/old looking. I only knew they were shavings from them being stuck on the magnet. Brakes look pretty new so maybe they were worn down too low on the previous set like u mentioned. Only other thing I can think of it being is from whatever is banging in my left front. On bumps in the road there's a banging like something tapping the shock body with a hammer. Checked all the suspension and everything looks ok. I noticed that it stops if I'm holding the brake. Same bumps with sound. Sound gone when holding brake. Took off the caliper and couldn't see anything that could be making a sound like that. Any ideas?

As u can see this car has really been one thing after another. Even tho is one of the cars on my "list". Idk if it worth it. Not to mention wife's not too happy. Lol. Thanks!

01tl4tl

caliper brackets are on tight? brake job done correctly?
ckd the bolts on shock top and anything you can get a socket/wrench on?

01tl4tl

you bought a TL without getting info from acurazine or having a mechanic who really knows these cars look at it for you,,,is that about it?

you are at the mileage where things left too long by the average owner,,
need to be taken care of,, now!!
Hope you got a decent price on it, once the repairs are done = it will go another 100k+++ no sweat and the wife will be happy, its an awesome daily driver,,out of town

most of us would not get advise getting a gen2 at this point in time--unless you can DIY things and get a real warranty on the trans
Hope you looked up the trans thread and inspected your fluid,,think about new fluid for it
make sure the recalls are all done etc
register with acura care 1 800 382 2238x5

HondaProtegeX2.3

I did my research before I bought my 2nd gen and diacouraged me the first time I looked saw my tl n recalls I went to acura n saw they "fixed" the 2nd gear issue or what not. So I figure its good to go, car ran perfect a year straight 24k later and now just showing signs of a 105k tune up needed.. Haha listen to 01tl it wont fail ya. Car is used and aint brand new you lucky you got a lower mileage one. Just needs tlc n some good taste n determation off to the black market threads,

01tl4tl

fixed hahahahahahahhahaha..thats the word acura uses to say a recall has been completed

in this case it means the external mounted -oil jet kit that directs atf onto 2nd gear--
was installed
Its a fix against the sudden snapping of the 2nd gear or its shaft due to overheat
BUT thats not the main trans problem--our weak clutch packs

Keep up with yearly atf changes, clean the selenoids and replace external filter--thats all we can do