Hi folks, I've got a problem that keeps turning my '99 TL into a giant rolling paperweight.

While driving, the car will lose all electrical power: dash lights & radio turn off, engine shuts off, tach needle slams to zero. After 4 or 5 seconds the entire car comes back to life and continues driving as if nothing happened.

Also, when the car is at reast and the key is turned from OFF to the middle accessory position, the dash lights will flicker on and off very rapidly for a second.

This only happens when it is warm weather outside, or when the car has been running for longer than 10 minutes or so. Cold weather days are fine with no problems.

I've checked the battery, alternator and relays. No problems.

Does anyone have an idea of what could cause this to happen? I love this car and hope the problem is something I can fix in my spare time.

 

Sounds like ign. switch failure, commonly reported on 99s. Chk. the DIY section and search, you will find plenty of info.

 

I would also check the main ignition fuse for the car. Maybe one of the screws has come loose creating a loose contact? I know when I blew that fuse on my TL...the car had NO juice, no lights no ignition, no nothing.

I hope that is the issue for you. That sounds scary.

 

I'm with total'd on this
As soon as I saw thread title and looked at poster name 99... my brain went to ignition switch back
call acura and see if it was done once under recall, 1 800 382 2238 x5 gets a human, have VIN in front of you- register as owner and ask about all recalls completed

after the first replacement- with same quality part~ you are on your own.
many go aftermarket at local parts store for new unit,,~50 bucks?
once acura did the first one- your DIY is easy

here is the master diy list- save it to favorites and use it often!!
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/
and welcome to acurazine!!

 

rockstar- OPs power comes back on,,
if a fuse is blown.. thats it- its done for and doesnt come back on

 

Thank you all for the suggestion, and thanks 01tl4tl for the helpful info & links.

 

Gotcha,
but you know the "Battery" fuse in the fuse box under the hood...it's got the copper tabs that are held down with a copper screw on either side. I am sure that when that blows the whole system goes dead...was thinking in his case, may over time the screws have gotten a little loose to the point that they are not pressing the fuse's tabs down completely. Maybe even worse in cold as the copper contracts.

Just an easy thing to check/fix.

J.

 

Changed the ignition switch with the help of the DIY instructions, the car now runs like a champ. You guys are ACE!

Thanks again for the help.

 

we live to hear good news!!!! congrats on the diy

 

I'm having similar problems, but not the same degree as the OP. I would be driving along and the radio would cut out. Simultaneously, I would see the tach drop and speedometer drop, but not all the way to zero; also the maint req'd light would flash. All this happens for a split second, then would be back to normal again. Happened like 5 times within a 5 mile drive and has occurred with more frequency lately. Do y'all think this could be related to the ignition switch? I think I already had this car in for recall for that issue.

 

probably ign switch
the recall installed same piece of high quality %(^&*

as its been described here--99s get 1 free from recall- then its on the owner the next 3-4 times it fails in the cars lifetime

OP had some of the worst symptoms.. and still driving it- I have heard

 

I have the same problem on a 2006 tsx. All dash lights go black, radio silent, tach drops to 0 and engine dies temporarily- but usually picks up before totally dead. It is powerless for only a fraction of a second. I replaced ignition switch (the electrical part only $45- not the $250 with key) and no problems for 2 months. Now the problem is back. Happened 5 times in a 10 minute span. Once while in park. It's almost like a mis. Battery and alternator were checked at AutoZone to be OK. However, intermittent failure there might not show up on their equipment.

 

this is the gen2 TL section,,try the area for your car/year for better help

was it a dealer part or aftermarket switchback?