I have a 2004 acura tl. It would not start a week and a half ago. I bought a new battery. problem seemed fixed. wrong. I went to go get gas the other day, filled up, and then got back in the car. Tried to turn it over. Wouldn't start. Waited a few seconds...tried again and it started. I drove home. I tried starting again. No go. I think the connections are bad and have caused a bad cell in the battery. Could this be all? Or the alternator? Or the starter? Or the voltage regulator?

 

Other possibility to check first: Check your battery cable connections for corrosion and looseness at both ends, esp. clamp and the ground-frame connections-- this is not an uncommon occurrence on Hondas and Acuras.

Finally, the '04 HFLs had a TSB out-- some of the Bluetooth HFL units would continue to drain voltage more than 20 minutes after the car ignition was shut off; hopefully this isn't your problem, as it's a $500+ part.

Welcome to AZ!

 

It's probably the alternator, those aren't cheap

 

thanks. im hoping its not the alternator. probably is though. there was a 2005 tl owner on here with the same problem. Maybe its just a starter though? dang

 

It could be as simple as a loose battery cable. Try wiggling the cables near the terminals. Give them a really strong tug back and forth and see if either gives a bit. If so, I'd loosen, reposition, and then retighten.

I had a new Die Hard installed by Sears. Car ran fine for a week or so and then one day after filling up with gas, my car wouldn't start. Turns out the positive cable was hand loose. The Die Hard terminals are not a good fit for the cable clamps. I had to really crank down on the nut to get a decent fit.

Hope your issue is that simple.

 

If everything looks fine, the only way you'll determine the problem is checking voltage at the battery, then at the cables, then at the starter. If the lights are on and bright then you try and start the car, if the lights dim or go out, battery, but if the lights stay bright, check starter/connections.

 

The Battery should have a voltage checker its like a little cricle on it and if it is green its gotta charger if not its dead? Idk but i know usually there is one and I hope for your sake man it is a battery connection problem not the starter or alternator. Cuz the labor on the alternator would cost lmost as much as the part I bet

 

thanks everyone.
it was a starter. having the timing belt changed and a new water pump installed as well. 876.97 tax and all. not too bad

 

Glad you got it taken care of. That is a good price for the timing belt, water pump and such.