ok so I have an 04 Acura TL with 182,000 miles on it. the other day I was driving and as I came to a stop my rpm started jumping crazy and as I continued to drive my engine light and vsa light came on and I couldn't accelerate over about 25. I pulled over and cut the car off and everything was back to normal except the cel stayed on. the codes I got was p2176 and p2101, something about a throttle body/actuator and idle air couldn't program or something but I saw that people that had this problem just replaced the APP sensor (p2138). I'm confused as what to do. the car also has a rough idle sometimes and one cut right off when I tried you cut it on. also the d light blinks, if that pertains to this. what do I do to not spend an arm and a leg? the throttle bodies gonna cost me $800 the app sensor is about $100-$200? anybody else had the same problems?

 

Replace the APP first.
Blinking D maybe because of the stalling so see if it goes away, if not immediately start changing the fluid with DW-1 and highly advise you replace the pressure switches as very well documented in this sub forum.

 

I seen on another forum that someone reset the ECU (pics below) and I did that and the cel disappeared and so far has the"limp mode." do you still think I should still replace the app sensor, etc?

 

Not unless it comes back, if it doesnt fix it (it should) you can always return the part.

 

You can try to clean the throttle body first and see if that works.

Unless you have a scanner or a scope to diagnose the throttle body and APP, then I recommend you take it to a good mechanic to diagnose it. That would be cheaper than dumping money into it with parts only to find out it was a bad wire.

 

how hard is it to get to the throttle body in a 04 tl ? can I do it myself?

 

I was also told that I would have to go to the Acura dealership because if they replace the throttle body then they would have to reprogram it to my car? Is this true? what's the average cost to replace the throttle body?

 

Not that hard. Just remove the air filter box and tube to get access to the throttle body plate. Use some throttle body cleaner. Look for a video on Youtube.

You will need to do an idle learn routine. Any mechanic with a bi-directional scanner should be able to do it. I'm not sure if there is a way you can do it by doing some sequence.

 

do y'all think this would be bad part if I got it from eBay? I'm only 16 I can't afford tooooooo much and right now I'm looking at having to replace either the app sensor or the throttle body. my car is going into limp mode and idling funny. the cel throws codes p2176 and p2101 but everyone is saying just replace the app sensor before replacing the throttle body. what should I do? think this part is worth it??

 

where can I find a RELIABLE, CHEAP accelerator pedal sensor ???

 

I bought cheap off ebay and was crap. I hit up a pick n pull yard. $20

 

Please don't open new threads for topics already being discussed elsewhere. It doesn't show the complete history nor tell the story very well.

 

With non-OEM sensors you often end up paying twice.

In your case, what if new sensor will end up not working correctly, and then you will throw throttle body at the car, and it will still run bad?

Overall it's your decision but I wouldn't recommend getting cheap ebay parts

 

1.) Are you sure your charging system and battery are all in full working condition? Lots of symptoms that are unrelated here.
2.) APP sensor should have little to nothing to do with idle.
3.) The other codes you mention are about electrical oddities on the Throttle Body....APP issues shouldn't cause that type of error.

In general, APP issues will be failure to accelerate, jumpy acceleration, or dead spots in the pedal. It could cause limp mode as well if it is really bad...but shouldn't be throwing codes about the Throttle Body.

As for you posts about getting parts off of eBay. Your guess is as good as ours. As others have already suggested, you may be better served by going to a local junkyard and picking up a used one. I have absolutely zero faith in buying stuff off of eBay. I barely have faith in buying car parts off of Amazon. I usually buy from Rock Auto, one of the Acura dealers on here, or when I can't wait I hit up my local Honda dealer or generic auto parts stores.

 

Merged all your threads into one..

 

took it to the mechanic.. have to replace the throttle body .. $430 ..I'll see if I can get one from a junkyard.

 

And what did the mechanic do to determine that? or how did he explain it to you?
A faulty throttle body is not a very common part failure on this vehicle, unlike the sensor you first discussed.

 

we looked at all the codes (it was like 4-7 throttle body codes [actuator, sensor, etc]) and he immediately said "yeah you're gonna need a new throttle body"

 

I just replaced the throttle bottle. got my parts from O'Reilly's for around $250 and labor was only $110. had it for about 2 weeks now and idle is fine and no limp mode!

 

Very glad it worked out! Did the Drive indicator light also stop blinking?

 

thanks for your help.

unfortunately it did not. the trans code is p0848 I believe; 3rd gear pressure switch.

 

Definitely replace it ASAP. I should be accessible by removing the driver's side front wheel and the inner cover. They are about 60$ at the dealer (good idea to get there or from a dealer website as the aftermarket ones have been tested to be not as good of a quality). I would recommend doing the second gear one also and do a fluid drain refill while you can if it hasn't been.

The pressure switch replacement and ATF change/drain have very well written how-tos on this forum.
Hopfully that fixes it!

 

thanks for the info ! quick question .. I thought there was only 3rd/4th gear pressure switches for the 04 tl? maybe I'm wrong? but i definitely plan on replacing the 3rd/4th gear pressure switches and getting a 3x3 drain/refill.

 

My apologies I meant fourth, you are indeed correct that there is no pressure switch for second gear.
Again my bad.