Looks like a Canadian TSB will be coming out shortly...

I just received the following email from the service manager at my local dealership this morning (Sep 30):

"Sorry I did not get back to you sooner.I have talked to Acura Canada about the situation with your TSX. There should be a bulletin coming out in the near future in Canada about this ping on acceleration. From what they tell me it going to be a software update which will be for the pcm computer. I don't have an exact time line when this will be issued but they say it should be soon."

 

im located in canada, i went to north shore acura in north vancouver and brought the US TSB with me last friday, the service advisor said he had to send the TSB to acura canada to confirm to see if they were ok to let them do the repair for my tsx, the guy called me back today they said acura just released a software update for the engine but no knock sensor replacement needed. the dealership hasnt got the software yet the guy said maybe next week, will have to wait and see. the guy also said acura noticed this pinging problem thats y they relased the new software

 

Yep.

Pinging @ the 2-2.5k RPM range and the 4k RPM range are completely gone.

 

I went to a dealer (not where I bought the car) to make an appointment for them to apply the TSB on Monday 9/26. The dealer made me an appointment for Wed 9/28 to have the tech drive the car and see if it had the ping.

Went in on Wed 9/28 and the tech drove the car. The service manager came back in and said "yup, you have a knocker, first one we have seen" and he proceeded to write me up for a loaner. He said he even ordered the parts on Monday in anticipation that I might actually have the problem.

Took the loaner, which pings way more than my car did and was called back around 3 in the afternoon. Picked up the car and the ping is close to being gone.

It may be getting better as I drive, he mentioned that the computer will learn over time since the knock sense will notice ping under certain conditions and resolve them when that condition is later met. IDK I hope so. But what I'm left with is 95% less; I'm happy. (so long as it stays this way or gets better lol)

I did notice the shift point under the same acceleration seems to have been moved up 200 - 300 rpm so as part of the fix they may have reduced the effect by avoiding the effected range while also adjusting the sensitivity etc. (speculation)

I'll be interested to see any change in fuel economy. I have 8500 miles and avg 30.x mpg on my b setting which are the original miles on the odo.

btw, the dealer I went to was not the dealer I purchased from and they were more than happy to have my business, offered me a loaner car and welcomed me back in the future. The other dealer (where I purchased from) still has not called me to make an appointment to repair this TSB that they diagnosed on 9/11 when I was in for A1 and they wrote the car up for the repair. It's amazing how different dealers can be.

 

Good points and a good post. It would make sense that the system thinks it's new again and if the new KS is functioning properly, like the original one should have, it *should* learn to adjust the timing and fuel dependant on load and your driving style.

Likewise with bumping the shift points in that if you do that, you'll have less load at a higher rpm & higher speed in a given gear (within reason).

Glad to hear you got it resolved, or 95% on it's way.

 

I noticed the acceleration of the car feels different as well. The gas pedal is more responsive than it previously was it seems. My car was only in the shop for a few hours but when I got back in I had difficulties starting off without lunging forward which never happened to me before. I then averaged 34 mpg on the 90 mile trip back home so it seemed everything was in order.

 

Funny, but I just got my 2006 ECU reflashed by Hondata and have the very same experience -- car is eager to lunge off the starting line. Very responsive throttle in first gear. They might've added that to the ECU fix just as an "Oh, gee, while we're reprogramming,...."

 

I have been dealing with Acura to resolve the pinging issue in my car for about 5 months. Most are aware that they advised this is 'normal' - but now have a service bulletin - 09-041 (silent recall) to repair this 'normal engine characteristic'. I even submitted a complaint letter to Honda Corp - they have been jerking me around - denying any problem with the car. They still say it is normal. I have been coorsponding with a guy in Autralia with the same issue (Honda Euro Luxury model = TSX with a Honda badge (same car). The Autralia division went public with this months ago. Honda of America would not comment on their public acknowledgement of this problem. The guy I talked to had the TSB work completed but still has a slight pinging. He was, however, given a lifetime warranty on his engine. I have a copy of the letter they sent him. I demanded the same from Honda of America - they refused to offer this. The TSB stating that some pinging is desirerable is a joke - they are just covering up the fact that they could not resolve the issue with a complete fix. Long term engine damage is a huge issue. Honda did offer me an extended warranty but told me that I would have to sign a waiver form releasing them from all liability....do they think I am stupid?? If they are positive their is no engine damage occuring, why do I need to release them from any future claims? Hmmmm. I was in yesterday for the TSB repair and my vehicle still pings. The fix corrected the problem at about 75-80% - but not a total fix. I will be pursuing this further. Either by mediation with my local State's Attorneys office or, if need be, the lemon law. Acura is hoping that everone will now roll over and play dead now that they partly corrected the problem and are feeding people the line that some pinging is desirable. They are hoping the this nightmare of theirs will just go away. What are you going to do when you have a engine issue and the car is our of warranty....we will be screwed. There should be a class action suit against Honda. They need to completely correct the engine problem and offer the lifetime warranty so when a whole is burned throught the top of the pistons at 60,000 miles, they will be on the hook to replace the engine. The engine damage that has occured in my car during the break in period and for the last 6 months is a problem.....

What can we do to get Acura to handle this problem correctly?

 

FYI.....The dealers are playing dumb with everybody. This issue has impacted all 09 TSX's and 2010 TSX's with VIN#'s JH4CU3...AC000001 thru JH4CU2...AC009053. Honda Corp is coaching the dealerships what to say to avoid a major problem. The service manager at my dealership admitted this is a problem - "off the record".

 

Others are saying their pinging is corrected after the reflash. Seems you are the only one having a problem still so far.

Edit: Nevermind, I just read one more where the pinging is almost gone but not completely.

I'd give it a few days to adjust before doing anything else.

 

I also had the fix and still have some light pinging as well. I do not think much luck will be had with the lemon law as it needs to sustainably impact the safety or value of the car. The NHTSA has not issued a recall on the car despite many complaints, so it must not feel that safety or lives are at risk. If the NHTSA does not mandate a recall, Acura does not have to publically pull its cars in for a fix. As far as value goes, you will need to have it appraised to illustrate that it is not holding a resale value within line to a market standard (KKB, etc).

 

Well, I just had the fix put on yesterday, and it is certainly much improved. I thought maybe I heard a brief ping on the way into town this AM, but can't be sure. Time will tell.

As for lemon law applicability, I think a very good case can be made that if one's car has this problem and is not fixed, it will dramatically reduce the resale value of the care in the future.

 

I had mine in for the pinging almost 3 weeks ago. When I left the dealership, I could tell that it was almost gone, but I did OCCASIONALLY hear a slight pinging. This past week I have been listening and the pinging is pretty much gone. I do believe that the car "learns" the update over time and mileage and adjusts. I am happy with the fix as long as it doesn't come back.

I personally was happy with the way Acura handled my concern. I sent an email to the 3 higher ups in mid August and the next day I received a phone call. Couple weeks later I received another call from the same person confirming who my servicing dealer was. The week after the TSB was released, my SA called to schedule an appointment.

 

Does anyone know if Acura has fixed the pinging issue in the new 2010 models? I read the service bulletin about this that lists the VIN numbers of the affected cars. I went down to the dealer to look for cars outside that range but couldn't find any.
I'm thinking of not getting one or waiting till next year.

 

Just dropped off my 09 TSX at the Santa Monica dealer to address pinging. Gave them the TSB. Fingers crossed.

Also, never got a call about the fix being ready from Acura Client Services in Torrance, CA (Kevin). Seems like I was just lip-serviced after sending an email to Jeff Conrad (Honda VP).

 

Not to be a PITA, but mine's AC008324, I almost exclusively use BP 93 and I've *never* had an issue with pinging, or this 'post combustion event.' I would also have to say that I'm a little more attenuated to hearing it and feeling it than most people.

I live in Florida where it's hotter than the sun 1/2 the year and my fatass constantly has the a/c on 69, and frequently carry 3-4 passengers with their crap in the trunk. (High load & heat will exacerbate a pinging problem, so can cold dry air, either at WOT.)

(Pardon any typos, my desktop took a crap and I'm using a stupid netbook POS.)

 

Don't you guys think it would take a while for Black Book, KBB or NADA to reflect an issue like this? What would be felt sooner than later would be an appraisal through a place like CarMax where they'd factor in known issues in terms of how it affects resale on their lot.

 

Hopefully Canadian TSB will be coming out shortly.........the pinging noise is driving me crazy.......if it does come out does anyone want to meet up and go to the dealership around the Toronto area.....thanks.

 

Just dropped of my car to Acura of Ardmore (PA). They know about the TSB, I should have it back either today or tomorrow.

The loaner they gave me is the new TL and I gotta be honest, I like the TSX more I think...much more roomy. I'll post when I get the car back.

 

LOL I had the exact same experience when they gave me a loaner TL. I can't put my finger on it but I honestly felt like the TSX was a better built and more expensive car!

 

That makes 3 of us

You can certainly tell the TL was designed and manufactured in the USA. There was so much more attention paid to detail on the TSX. Even the buttons on the TSX are more "stylized" instead of a plain button with no rounded corners on the TL. Compare the memory seat position buttons on both and you'll see what I mean.

 

Fellow Canadians,

Just to let you know, it seems like the TSB for Acura Canada came out on Oct. 2nd for the pinging issue. Not bad timing considering the American TSB came out last month.

I just got a call from a local service manager advising me to return to the shop to perform the repair after them having denying the issue existed and refusing to fix it since there was no Canadian TSB.

Will report back with how it goes.

Thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...9#post11381449

 

hmm. i have not yet (or i dont think i have) experience any knocking or pinging(maybe i did and have no idea what it was) should i still have them change it?

 

Good news. Got my car back today from Santa Monica Acura. They serviced it according to the recall....oops, TSB. No noticeable pinging! Now, I can finally say I love this car without an..."except for..."!

The dealer even left a bottle of water in my cupholder after they washed it. I really notice that attention...and appreciate it! (They did leave greasy hand prints on my door tho...

 

I'll be getting my car back today. They did the software update and ordered a new knock sensor per the TSB. I'll post back when I pick it up.

Glad to hear everyone (almost everyone) is having their issue fixed. It'll be such a relief to drive around the city (I'm in Philadelphia) and not hear a baby rattle going off under my hood!

 

Well add me to the folks who have had the TSB 09-041 fix done to their cars. Pinging has completely 100% disappeared. VERY pleased. This is a real fix from Acura for sure.

 

Do you know if the Canadian TSB is identical to the US one recently posted? Good luck with your fix!

 

Update.

I picked my car up last night after they did whatever they needed to do per TSB 09-041. I drove home with the radio off and purposely drove at 2500-3000 rpm's the whole ride home.

I heard nothing! It's feels amazing now to drive an Acura and not have a ping sound coming from the engine as if it were a 10 year old car hahaha.

If anyone on this blog is from PA, I went to Acura of Ardmore and worked with Tom, he's great.

Now I will buy another Acura when the time comes. Have my heart set on an MDX haha.

 

So I took my car in 2 weeks ago, they acknowledged the pinging, and the TSB. They replaced the knock sensor in a day, but now are "waiting for the software update." They gave me my car back after a few days. Apparently they're waiting for a CD to arrive with the software update?

Anyone else experience this? Seems like in this day and age they should be able to just download the damn thing... very frustrating, still having the knocking (even with the new knock sensor).

 

so i took my car in to get the fix 2 weeks ago. I live in Michigan - Detroit area. My dealership knew I was waiting for the fix so they called to let me know they had the parts ready which was nice. They have been very nice to work with and acknowledge the problem, however after performing these fixes: 1. knock sensor 2. TWO software upgrades 3. replacing 4 valves (as part of the knock sensor) ...I am sad to say that I still hear the pinging sound. Sigh. I think it may be fainter but it is still there. I just don't know what to do now. I am curious for those of you who do not hear the problem at all...what parts did they change exactly on your car?

 

regarding what parts they replaced:

if i remember correctly when i looked at the job sheet, all it said was that they performed the software upgrade and replaced the knock sensor. i can look again when i get home to be sure, but i'm pretty sure thats all it said.

 

What valves? Part numbers?

Sorry it's not 100%, give it a little time.

 

I think he means the 4 intake gaskets.

 

Took my car in yesterday morning for this fix. Took 2 hours. Great experience w/ my dealer (Nalley Acura, Marietta, GA). I brought in the service bulletin to give to the tech and read a book while the shop quickly filled in with customers on a Saturday morning. The shop even provided Krispy Kreme donuts for the customers - a very nice touch!

They only replaced 1 intake gasket but after the PCM upgrade, everything seems fine. No more pinging!

I drove home with the radio off for 30 minutes and no more pinging! YEEEAAAAH!

 

On my first full tank of gas since getting my car back, I've noticed that my gas mileage has definately dropped...I did install my remote start afterwards and have been using it here and there but not to the point where I should be losing 70+ miles on a tank of gas. I've had remote starts in all my previous cars and I would really have to warm my car up for about 10 minutes a day for me to lose that kind of mileage, so thats not the problem, unless I'm just crazy now..Anyone else notice anything??

 

Yeah. Since the change a few tanks ago, I have dropped about 2-3 MPG off my trip computer. I'm sure the fix reduces the timing and floods more gas in to counter the pinging

 

Just picked up my car after the ping fix (performed according to the Canadian TSB). The dealer treated me extremely well, no complaints at all. They replaced the knock sensor and upgraded the PCM and AT software. I didn't notice any pinging during the drive home , but I need more time to evaluate the situation and will report back very soon with an update.

 

Update.......I just took an evening spin on some quiet streets and did a bit of highway.........and the pinging seems to be completely gone. Also I didn't notice any performance difference, and km/100L doesn't appear to be affected. Sure hope it stays this way . If the situation changes, I'll check back in.

 

Hello fellow pinger. I'm sad to report the knock sensor and software update have done nothing for me either. There's nothing on my report about replacing any intake gaskets. Just the knock sensor and software update. Above and beyond that, the pinging seems to be getting worse, and I'm getting less mpg's. I drive consistently, 150 miles per day over the same route with very little traffic, and I've noticed about a 2-2.5mpg dropoff.

Following the advice of the tech-savvy people on this forum I gave it about a month and around 3,000 miles to try and make it "learn"...but it didn't. Above and beyond that, I still can't make the car ping well when there's more than one person in the car (namely an Acura tech).

It's loud to me, especially in the 4k RPM range, but others are having trouble hearing it (or so they say)--like always.

As soon as I bolster my financial position a little bit I'm just going to chuck this POS and probably go German. I'm tired of dealing with it. It makes me sad to say, because I planned on putting 300k+ miles on this car...not trading it in after a little under two years. Plus, I was really excited about it in the beginning. Now I'm just embarrassed.

Does anyone know if there's an easy way without going to the dealer to tell the ECU software version? I know they reported back to me that they were having trouble flashing my ECU. Wonder if that has anything to do with it. I wouldn't put it past my dealer to half-install it and shove it out the door to get rid of me.

 

On my car, according to the Canadian version of the TSB (which I think is essentially identical to the US one) they changed the knock sensor + 4 intake manifold gaskets, and upgraded the PCM and AT software. In my case the pinging was what-I-consider-to-be insanely loud at 4-4.5K......I can't hear anything now.

So there is real hope at least. I'm sorry you guys are not benefitting from this fix as others are. I don't want to point fingers (since I know essentially nothing about car mechanics) but maybe your dealers simply haven't applied the fix correctly.