I just purchased my 2010 TSX yesterday. I was sitting in my driveway for about 15-20 minutes playing around with the settings when the navigation screen turned off. Shortly after that the radio screen went blank and then the illumination on knobs was dimming and flashing. The dash lights stayed on but the car wouldn't start. Am I looking too far into this because I just bought the car or is it just a dead battery?

 

dead battery very common. many dont last 2 years.

after a few oem peeps usually go buy a GOOD BATTERY.

 

What kind of good battery?

 

Doesn't sound like a battery issue. "Knobs dimming and flashing" isn't any low battery indicator that I'm aware of. But, it could be, and since the car is 4 years old, and you may want to think about replacing the battery. Though I've had good luck with OE barriers, many here have complained about short battery life (and there's a separate battery warranty on the car). Like oil filters and tires, when it comes to automotive batteries, everyone has their favorites. I'm of the opinion that any name brand replacement battery will provide good service and a reasonable service life. There's no need to spend huge money, even the ones that Walmart sells come highly recommended.

 

Did you buy the car at a dealership? If so, then it is clearly their responsibility.

If not, and the car is still under warranty, then have an Acura dealer look at the car and fix the underlying issue or replace the battery.

Why pay for a new battery when Acura will give you one for nothing?

 

Only reason I can think of not doing this, is if this continued to happen on previous replacement batteries from Acura in a short amount of time. Whether the batteries are new or not, the stock ones in the I4 TSX have a low CCA rating and are actually pretty terrible. I got this impression from the various people in the 2G forums saying how they got stranded because of their battery, they've gone threw X number of batteries in Y amount of time, etc. And even personally, even when my car had only 1000 kms in it, it was quite difficult to start on 1 or 2 separate (bitter cold) occasions.

I'd say go get a replacement from Acura. If it craps out on you in a really short amount of time, then upgrade to a bigger, better battery (you'll need to get some parts from the V6 TSX to make the bigger ones fit, though), so you won't have to frequently visit the stealership and avoid the risk of being stranded and in need of a boost/tow.

 

Also a continually charging battery stresses the rest of the charging system.

I would rather spend a hundo on a real battery than buy an alternator or?

 

It was just a dead battery so I went out and bought a new one. I bought the car from the owner and it's a rebuilt title which is the reason I over thought a dead battery haha.

 

Glad to hear it was just the battery and appreciate you notifying the forum. I had a battery die in my 2012 TSX Wagon and the dealer replaced it, no charge. But if it goes again -- hopefully after 3+ years -- I'll do some research on Consumer Reports and get a more powerful battery.

 

one of the best batteries out right now is the Sears Platinum Die Hard series.
it is made by Johnson Controls.

also made by Johnson Controls is the Costco branded batteries

 

Let's hope it was just a battery and not an electrical problem (which often plagues salvage cars) that manifested itself as a dead battery.

 

at the dealer for an oil change right now with the same issue, and a few minor others that they should be taking care of since i got extra warranty with my car


- bought my car in april and just the other day i was parked for 2 min listening to something on the radio and the car wouldn't start. These dirtbag advisors at the dealership telling me to make sure the car is running at all times and there's "so much technology in these cars that even brand new ones have the same issue" After giving him a lengthy and awkward blank stare he offered to check the battery for $70 and said if it's dead a new one will cost $155 lmao. I don't plan on purchasing an OEM battery but want to make sure the battery is in fact dead and it's not another issue. I don't mind shelling out $70 for that. meh. But the balls on these guys man, do they think they can just BS ppl like that? I only came here bc they offered the first oil change for free!

 

$70? Don't places like Autozone and Advanced Auto Parts do the same thing (test battery) for free?

 

yeah, but just in case it was an underlying electrical issue I wanted to know whether it would be covered under warranty or not.....besides I was already in there for my free oil change lol

 

Turns out it was just a dead battery. Not covered under extended warranty. Bastards!