Connor_P

I have a 2008 TL with ~181k miles, that's started having a mystery electrical gremlin over the last few months. The main symptom is that occasionally, when attempting to start the car, the electrical system just dies.
Unlock with the fob, get in the car, all of the usual chimes and tones and lights are on. Put the key in the ignition, turn it to start, and nothing happens. The lights on the dash die, and as far as I can tell the entire BCM crashes. The fix is to open the door, close it, lock and unlock, then open and close it again, and typically the car will start just fine.
Now, I've been completely okay living with this little oddity of the car, until today. I was sitting in traffic, about to go at a light, and suddenly there's a clunk as though I just put the car in gear, and the center console reset. The car had dropped itself into neutral, while the dash still indicated drive (and of course the shifter was still in drive). Dropping the shifter to neutral and then back to drive solved the problem, but it was certainly worrisome. If anyone has any idea what this might be, that would be great.

Other notes:
The car is usually driven in manual mode
Transmission fluid is Redline Racing Type F

zeta

iTrader: (1)

^
Have you checked the battery terminal connections to see if they are secure and clean?

vpasla1

I agree to check the battery connection. I would also check the condition of the cables as well.

NBP04TL4ME

As others have said, I would start with the battery and connections. How old is the battery? Weak or dying batteries have been know to manifest themselves in all sorts of odd behavior in the Acuras. Make sure the connections (both ends) are tight and also check the negative cable or possible internal deterioration / failure. Hard to do I know but does it feel solid the whole length - is it soft or softer in certain places.

Jackass

I will also will put money on your battery cables having issues. Mine required me to slam the doors to get it to come back to life. Finally figured out the battery clamp had failed and just needed to be wiggled to restore power. I had the entire main power cable and clamp replaced at the dealer.

DMZ

Be sure to check the + battery cable since it might be corroded internally where you can't see it, especially at this age. Replacing mine solved a host of electrical and starting problems.
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