I recently returned from a long trip of about 14 days and found that my 06 TL wouldn't start. I was able to get a jump and drive home. When I got home, I attempted to start the car, and while it did start, it was a very hard start. Is there a way for me to determine what this issue might be without taking it in to the dealer? The battery is one of those OEM "100 Month" batteries. Everything else is stock. 42k miles total, garage kept.

Thanks.

 

It is most likely the battery. The OEM batteries suck. I'm on my 3rd battery.

 

check battery. take your car over to autozone or advanced or something of the sorts. they can check it for you and tell you if its bad. for FREE. if you really want an OEM battery, then go to dealer.

my 1st OEM lasted 3 yrs...the 2nd OEM lasted 3 yrs....moved to aftermarket battery (interstate megatron plus 85 month). plenty of cranking power and rated #1 in consumer reports for our battery size...it's reasonably priced as well. i was tired of having to deal with crappy OEM batteries.

yeah 100 month....my eye!

 

Is there usually any warranty on the OEM battery? Does the 100 month label mean anything?

Thanks for the responses.

 

they "might" replace, but most likely they will prorate it (that's what the 100 month thing means) and you will still have to pay something.

my first one was warrantied. the second...eh didn't even bother. stupid honda batteries.

 

Unless you have an extended warranty you are out of the original car warranty. Not sure about the 100 month label on your battery, but am going to guess it will be under warranty but more than likely will be prorated.
Up until my current TLS, I have had very good luck with the longevity of my Honda / Acura batteries. I got 8+ years out of my 94 Accord battery and when I traded my 04 TL at almost 6 years it still had the original battery. Only got about 3.5 years out of the TLS battery (bought used but was original) and when we bought my wife's MDX and 2.5 years, I found out the battery was replaced under warranty as well.
Biggest thing for me I didn't like, was there was no warning. It was fine on Friday, sat in the garage over the weekend and Monday AM - DEAD! Wouldn't even unlock the driver's door with the remote. I had mine replaced under warranty for nothing, but not sure I would go this route again if it doesn't last.
Now you have been away for 14 days, if the battery fully discharged and / or has been in a low power state for a good portion of that time, it's probably toast. Get it tested and then decide how you want to proceed - however, I'm with TLtrigirl, would likely move aftermarket.

 

Sounds like a trip to one of the auto parts stores is in order then. Oy.

Thanks all!

 

When you say it was a "hard" start ... meaning?? did it crank slow? Did it click a bunch then finally start?

 

At first, it was "tick, tick, tick, tick", then after I got a jump, it started.

The second time, it was more of a slow crank.

 

both times my OEM batteries were on their way out...slow crank and the dash and dome lights flickered a little before it actually started.

the 2nd time my battery went...the car really struggled to turn over, but it did start (the car sat for a week). the TL was going to the body shop at the time, so they offered to swap it out for me since it was there. i told them what battery i wanted and they put it in for me. the click click click...that's a very dead battery. you haven't taken your car to get the battery checked yet?

 

Click , click , click can also be dirty terminals/connections.

 

the shop mentioned to me that there was corrosion on the battery terminals when they swapped my battery. i've read that this is a common occurance with OEM. or at least it seems like a lot a people have corrosion on their terminals.

 

Not just OEM

 

hmm, guess i need to peek under the battery cover more often then.

 

I haven't gone yet, no. We have another car, so I'm using that one for a bit until later this week. I literally just had all this happen yesterday after a 13 day trip.

 

Well. It looks like it's not starting again. Rapid ticking, and won't turn over. UGH.

 

stop playing on AZ and go get your battery replaced already!

 

Update. Tested 7.8V when the car is off. I jumped it from another car and the alternator was keeping it at a constant 14.39-14.4V. Now when the car is off, the battery is at about 12.38V.

Is there any way to tell that the battery is definitely going to go? I do remember the dealer telling me a few months back that they had to charge it up...

 

Take it to have a load test done on it ..

 

if its not holding a charge like it has... if your battery has already completely discharged like someone else said...

your battery needed help already from the dealer? what is the CCA of your battery now?

i would have already replaced the battery and been done with it. you have an 06, so if its the original battery...its 5 yrs old. most batteries last anywhere from 3-5 years. some longer, some shorter, depending on where you live. hotter climates will shoten the life of your battery.

 

You need to have your battery and charging system tested. More than likely for the relatively short money of a new battery you will be back in business and have peace of mind that your car is going to start when you need it to.
Not sure where you live, but the colder weather isn't going to do your battery any favors either.

 

It's simple just go to autozone pepboys o'reilly or anything similar and they can check the batter, alternator and starter without removing it from the car. I just had similar problem 2 days ago on my 04 tl and they check all this for free and found that the starter report a low voltage (10v). Easy to replace the starter well sense this is the 3rd time i had this done my self. Next time i will prefer to go with the original. Aftermarket sucks

 

I took the car up to Autozone and they tested everything. It definitely was the battery. $114 later, I'm good to go again.

Thanks all.

 

I suspect more of these threads to pop up as the weather gets colder. Our OEM batteries suck and they become more obvious in colder temps.

 

Sounds good!