scottzilla

Hey guys! Just wondering if anybody is having the same problem as me when driving in Sequential Sport Shift mode. For the most part I have no problems when driving normally. However, when driving more agrresively, for example accelerating quickly off a light my malfunftion lamp flashes (engine light). I know this light doesn't have anything to do with the engine but does monitor emissions. My question is, am I doing something wrong while driving to make this light flash or does it simply mean I am not driving the most efficiently when it comes to lowering emissions and having better gas mileage? It normally happens when going from 0-70 kph or approx. 0-40 MPH before switching from second to third. My RPM's are always well below red lining before switching gears so I am confused as to why this happens. I'm sorry if this questions has been raised in the past, however, I am new to this forum and have not seen anything like that yet. Thanks for your help in advance.

Jss1

You probably just need a software update. Its been mentioned many times and thats usually the problem.

scottzilla

What kind of software update? Also, do you know if I am doing any kind of damage to the car when this happens without the update? Thanks

rets

MIL (check engine light) could be related to emission & engine. I have to read the owner manual again.

The loose gas cap could be the easy answer.

Otherwise, if you're the early VIN 04TL, you need to get some ECU software/firmware update as Jss1 said above. Your dealer may also have to check your sensors and other devices.

VelfarreClubber

I bought my TL in the first week of august, but when i use the sport shift it turns to 2nd gear automaticly and waaaay tooo soooon probably at 3500-4500 rpm, never seen this come up in the forums. any suggestions?

scottzilla

Thanks Rets, however the fuel cap is not the problem. If it was the fuel cap the engine light would not blink, it would remain on and would remain on for a few days. However, you are the second guy who says it might be a software issue, so I guess I'll be calling Acura and bringing it up with them. Does anybody know if Honda can do this software update?

Gatorfan

This is to make sure you don't accidently damage the motor by over reving it. For those of us who have driven manuals in the past, we know how quickly the revs build in first gear. But for those who don't, they may not know to shift quick enough. So, the programming tells the transmission always to shift much sooner than the redline.

If you want to go all the way to redline, you need to floor it, then it will get much closer to redline, before either you shift, or the transmission will shift.

Gatofan

VelfarreClubber

Aaaaah i see, thanks a lot Gator that really helped me. even my buddy that has a manual tsx said it shifts too soon, i'll try flooring it next time to go near red line.

caball88

when you are referring to the malfuction lamp do you mean the yellow lamp in the triangle with the "!" sign? this is the VSA lamp and will flash when it is working. i have rev'ed my car up before and let out the clutch at too high an rpm and the VSA will flash trying to adjust for traction.

gbriank

There are two software patches out for the flashing engine light.....The second patch fixes what the first didn't.....Sounds like a Microsoft product, eh? It has something to do with the engine detecting a misfire when one doesn't exsist. ECM CODES 300,301,305

Adding this new patch can take up to a day to do, as it doesn't always take on the first try (as it did with my TL). I have not experienced any more check engine lights since.

scottzilla

No I am not referring to the VSA lamp. It's the malfunction lamp I am referring to (it looks like an engine).