Markv723

Yesterday afternoon I took my '04 out for a quick spin to do a few errands. I get back to my place around 6:00 pm. A little later on my office calls me about an issue that needs to be addressed in person ASAP and I go to leave at 9:00 pm. When I hop in I turned the key and to my dismay the car doesn't start. The engine doesn't even attempt to turn over and I had no clicking sounds. While this is happening my interior lights start flashing as if it needed an exorcism.

I call the TLC service and they send over someone to jump the battery. He said to give it a good 45 min drive to get the battery up and running. This was perfect since I needed to head to my office. About 2 minutes before I get to my destination I pull up the switch to roll the windows up and then the whole damn car shut off on me in the middle of the road ! Surprisingly enough it started running 5 secs after losing all power.

This is insane, I'd expect this from some POS beater but not a Honda>especially the TL.

Oh, I should add that on the way out of the office the car didn't start again; I had to get another jump from a co-worker.

I'm not careless with my vehicle, I don't leave the lights on while away. Plus my car is non-navi so I don't know if that particular TSB (05-029) would apply here. The part confuses me is that there were no prior indicators of battery issues; it just croaked for some reason. Plus I've owned several cars and I've never had to deal with this.

The car is CPO so I'm going to have the dealer do whatever to get it fixed free of charge.

Anyone else ever experience this problem?

Your feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

bhelsdon

Make sure the battery cables are clean and tight, if they are then it sounds like a cell went bad in your battery. You probably just need a new battery.

Xx06SickspdTlxX

Sounds like you need a new battery!

Markv723

Today I jumped it and unfortunately she died 5 minutes into the trip to the dealership!

TLC took care of the towing so that was a relief.

The battery supposedly was cranking out only about 100 amps, should be 500. The guys at Rick Case Honda charged me for a new Honda Battery to replace the Acura one due to some "we don't service Acura warranties" policy. So I shelled out 109.95 to have a new Honda battery put in. They did mention that I should get reimbursed through Honda/Acura of North America since there is a certification on the battery; they even offered to vouch for me in writing if needed.

4 hours of my life down the drain but she's back up to speed.

I do have one more question though-I need the code to the stereo. The anti theft kicked in and apparently the code card that came with the car was inaccurate; the guys at Honda couldn't figure it out and the nearest Acura dealership is ridiculously far. Is there anyway I can do this without going to the dealer???

csmeance

get the serial number from the radio and call up the dealership where you bought the car from. You can do this by holding down the 1 and 6 disk button at the same time with the radio off. Write this down and call the dealership.

Markv723

Well I tried the 1 and 6 option and that didn't work out for me. I may just be S.O.L. with this.
Anyone have any other suggestions???

You guys' help has been great!

Thanks!
Mark

01tl4tl

Each year is different for how to obtain the code
sometimes you have to remove the radio or at least get to the back of it and get the serial number
Depending on your relationship with the dealer, ie: they know you on the phone, they can look up in the computer for you for free, otherwise remove radio and photocopy the back, take car reg and go in person - they can help you

Before that- look on the edge of the glovebox door, in the owner book for a biz card from dealer with 5 digit code written on it, at acura.com if the old owner recorded it there, at the selling dealer in sales records of the car, inside fuse box covers under hood and in car
under drink holder, look everywhere!

Markv723

Well my faith in the service techs at Honda has hit an all time low. The code was actually on the side of the glove box!!! I entered it in and it worked like a charm.

Thank you for all of your help guys!!!!

-Mark

Kweli81

Yep, i had this issue too... It came out of no where. It was fine one day, and within 3 days i had a dead battery...

Replaced the battery and things are fine now (although i still have the occasional hard start or loss of memory; seats, etc..)

The acura guy made me laugh when he told me that letting the car sit for 2 day without driving may have been the issue...

ARX-01b

iTrader: (1)

For those that need new batteries Sam's is selling the Energizer 84 month battery for only $48. Just picked one up last weekendbefore I got strandes some place.

MR1

Might want to check your warranty. I replaced my battery at the first hint of trouble when it cranked slow a few times. After that, just recently read the warranty card and found I could have had a free replacement for up to 36 months. I certainly wish I had checked prior to spending any money.

sjo

iTrader: (2)

Yep, that happened to me. Thought it was a dead battery, but turns out that my "grounding" was weak. Fixed it by my neighbour mechanic for $10 She's never started this smooth before, better than new.

Kracker

It kinda bugs me that your car would die while it was running.. I think there might be something wrong with the alternator... 109.00 bux for a honda battery, if acura didnt pay for it I would get really really pissed.

I keep a booster pack.... Portable jumpstart thing in my trunk... I'm a nice guy, but Im not going to hook up my car to someone else to jump start their car.

JDM5lugHatch

My TL had a battery issue as well. Not sure if you are aware of this but they actually had a recall for the nav/radio as it drained the battery slowly after the car was turned off. I got the recall but never took it in because I decided to get rid of the car. You may want to check with your dealer. The battery in the TL is a POS.

DLM1213

Had the same problem with the battery in my 05 TL. I had mine in for a A12 service today and they said when they were going to take it out for a test drive they noticed the engine cranked very slow. They tested the battery and said it needed to replaced.....luckily still under warranty. No indication there was any kind of issue.

PiPsToRmPaY

having the same problem. had problem with engine cranking up very slow during the weekend so couldn't take it in the dealer. I called this morning(monday) and made appointment. Went out to the car and car won't start. Called TLC and waiting for the towing. Just hoping everything will be okay and covered under warranty. I'll keep you guys updated after the service.

Paul2007

I have a 2007 TL Type S and I have had to call ACURA Emergency four times for a battery boost.

However, I must say that the car sits in the garage for long period of time without moving. The first few times, it did not start after about a week. The last time, I was away for one month and of course the car would not start on my return. Got the car started but the next day it would not start again.

I call ACURA Emergency again and then took the car for a run of at least two hours. It started the next day even though I am still wondering when it will happen next.

PiPsToRmPaY

TLC came and jump started my car. He recommanded that i should go to pep boys to get the battery life checked for free. so i did and they told me that battery was bad. It's now got new battery in and running. Hopefully it stays that way.

MightyTL

iTrader: (1)

Had similar issue w/ my battery... Replaces it w/ the Sear Platinum High end one thinking its my JL 1000W Amp System... After a month same issues... Found out the + brass & ground was dirty with battery acid... cleaned it w/ W4...

Does anyone know what (oil, grease, etc) I should use to seal the connection against battery acid?

Budman231

Turns out that some batteries have a bad cell or two. My battery only lasted 18mos. It's not the car, just a crappy battery. Acura installed a new one no charge...