I wanted to see if this was a common problem, or if there's something I can do.

I recently got this 2006 TL, with 115,000 miles on it. It was in very good condition. It never had any problems until recently. One time it had a bit of a hard time starting, and I just thought it was a weird one time thing. Then this morning, I drove to a store and came back home, (with no problems at all) and after about an hour, I went back outside to move it, and it would not start.

The engine made no sound at all. No starter motor sound or anything. However, everything else was normal. All the lights came on, the radio, and dashboard lights. I thought the battery was probably dead. So I tried jump starting it. The first battery did nothing. I tired a different battery. Still nothing happened.

I then tired turning on the headlights to see if they dimmed when I tried starting it. They did not. They were at normal intensity, and me turning the key did nothing to them. There was only a smal click that came from the engine each time I turned it to start. Just one click.

I am probably going to have to have it towed, which I want to avoid. If anyone has any ideas please help! Thanks!

 

Starter, or starter relay.

Get a big ratchet, rubber mallet, whatever, and give the starter a few good whacks, then try and start it again.

 

Suffered the same fate. Local shop quoted > $700 and local dealer quoted $600 for starter replacement. The one thread stated it was easy to replace, but having the darndest time removing the two primary mounting bolts. Any suggestions?

Scott
2006 Acura TL

 

Try this: Remove both your cables from your battery, hook your jumper battery cables Correctly to your cars cables (leaving your battery completely out of the system) see if it starts, if so your battery is bad
or cable/posts are dirty. Let us know!

 

It's your starter motor. I had this happen to me this past thursday when I was ready to leave work. I had to get it towed from my job to the dealer. My insurance paid for the towing. The dealer called me just 20 minutes ago and said it was the starter motor that didn't work. The price to get it replace and the labor will cost $660.

 

I'm having the same problem.

 

$600-$700 for a starter replacement!!!! that sounds crazy. I would just do it myself, it cant be that hard to replace?

 

That's fine on older cars but it can fry the ECU quickly on the TL. I used to disconnect the positive side of the battery while the car was running to see if the alternator was working.... Can't do it on these newer cars. Sometimes I miss the simplicity...

As for the starter you can get it for under $200 at an autoparts store.

 

Starter. Removing and replacing the starter is a piece of cake. The damn two bolts attaching the bottom part of the battery tray is the hardest part.

I think I paid $100 from AAP with a discount code. Didn't even trade in the core, they offered like $15-20 for it.. said, nah.

Anyways, if you want to be super cheap. Take the starter out, remove the casing and clean the brush armature. Do the simple continuity checks with the starter first. If those check out, clean out of the ferrous material and clean the armature connection, check the gaps. It's not a permanent fix but it'll work for at least a while. I half assed it and just ended up paying the $100 to replace it not wanting to mess with it anymore after several months when it started to act up again.

 

Hey guys, Im having the exact same issue. I originally thought it might have been a connection with the clutch, or a blown fuse. But after reading this, I dropped my car off to the mechanic last night so he can look into it, and now im waiting for a quote. if it is as much as you guys are saying it is, i feel that Majofo is on to something. Thanks for the heads up, ill see what happens with the mechanic. But i think that this might be a DIY.

 

Mechanic tested my battery and said that it was weak. I hope that this resolves the issue.

 

i am having a similar problem. It doesnt happen all the time, but when it happens. I try to start my car and all the dash lights are on and nothing happens when i try and turn it over. but if i turn everything off and try again it will start, but i have to put in my navi code and/or my radio code... never both at the same time. i was thinking it had something to do with the ignition switch. did you guys have the same thing happen?

 

Not sure if you got this solved yet but the exact same thing happened to me and it seems to several othe people on this site. For me it was the battery that went dead...with no sign until my car just wouldn't start anymore. I parked the car at night and the next morning went to start it and nothing.

 

Another cheap alternative is seeing about a Starter/Alternator rebuild shop in the area. I have always had my alternators and starters rebuild by the same shop ever since I have owned and worked on cars. My cost is usually $50 -$75 depending on the make and model.

 

My issue is similar but diffrent, i go to turn the motor in, and I hear a click, and when I let go all the lights are dark/dim on the dash, disconnect and reconnect the batter and everything seems fine.

I bought a new battery because I tried to turn the key twice after this (no click the following times). Popped hood and saw alittle smoke from the battery. Replaced it to be safe.

Is there a safety relay in line incase the starter doesn't work /shorts?