Hello! I just purchased a 2005 Acura TL and I have run into an interesting problem.

This has happened twice now, but the car will not turn over while in park. I have to put the car into drive, then put it back into park again to get it to start.

Is there a trigger or button somewhere that could be worn/broken?

The car is an Automatic.

Thanks!

 

First thing I'd suggest is checking the Brake Pedal Sensor. The car is interlocked so you can only start it with the brake pedal depressed. When the Pedal Sensor goes bad, it thinks you haven't depressed the brake.

Search for "Brake Pedal Sensor" or "Pedal Sensor" to find how to determine if it's faulty and/or replace.

The second thing would be the Shift Lever Sensor (don't know it's correct name). It may need to be cleaned - especially if anything has ever been spilled on/near the shift select lever (i.e. coke, coffee, etc.). This happens with some frequency as well.

You can look through the 3G Garage page which has a long list of topics and FAQ's with links to various useful threads. Link here: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-garage-faq-3g-tl-newbies-553554/

 

Thanks for the quick response! I don't believe that it is the brake pedal, as I tried and tried and tried for 5 minutes to start the car when it first happened. After putting it into drive, then sliding it back into park, she fired right up.

Today was the second time that it has happened, and I immediately put it into drive, then back into park, then started the car.

I am just guessing here, but there must be some kind of pressure button, or trigger located under the gearing faceplate cover in the car?

I have just ordered a new Cup holder, and new Interior trim for the car in that area, so I will take a look when I have all of the old components pulled out.

Any tips on what to look for exactly?

 

Not for sure.

Maybe #2 or #7 here:

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...s=&view=normal

 

this. brake pedal sensor. do you have light issues with your brakes? usually connected.

next, would be NSS, or PRNDL switch. neutral safety switch, PRNDL being its automatic counter part.

try jiggling the gear selector next time you have an issue.

also, do you ever have a problem removing your key from the ignition? if the PRNDL cable (on some cars its not electronic) gets caught up or has slack it won't move the locker in the ignition cylinder, which not sure on this, but could also be a fault point if the others don't correct it.

our 98 accord had a recall on certain models, one mech decided to swap our PRNDL out and now we have to jiggle the gear selector to remove the keys.

edit: jiggle, but you don't have to pull it out of park

 

Bearcat 94 is right, I just replaced one in my 98' Accord V6. In 264,000 miles this is the 2nd one I've replaced. Couldn't start the car & couldn't get it out of park. The part was $55, Acura probably more.

 

^^it was warrantied right? they had a recall on it, so for sure you shouldn't have at least gotten the first one for free

 

I will try to jiggle it around if it happens to me again, thanks!