serbj

iTrader: (1)

My car (5AT) has experiencing difficulties to start after driving on road salt of last winter.

Her symptoms are:

1. Sometimes when I turn the key and try to start the car, the starter motor sounds weak as if the battery is dying. If I keep trying, mostly it somehow "recovers" and starts the engine. Very occasionally, the starter motor completely dies after several tries.

2. In the occasions described above, if I connect jumper cables to another car and turn the key, the starter motor works powerfully and starts the engine right away. (I have jump started the engine twice recently.)

3. When the engine is off, sometimes I hear continuing relay clicking sound from the engine bay.

4. Now it's raining outside, and the car mysteriously experiences no problems at all to start.

I guess it could be a bad ground wire from corrosion. Alternator, main relay, and fuses could also be the cause of the problem. To avoid a bad day happening, I have prepared a set of jumper cables in the trunk, so I can always jump start the engine lol.

I'm wondering if I should ignore the issue and let it get worse, or go to an Acura dealership tomorrow morning. I wonder because if the symptoms are not significant enough, the dealer will either tell me the car is fine and f- off or rip me off by replacing random parts, such as an alternator, battery, or starter motor.

Any input is appreciated.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

I would first check the termial connections on the battery, remove and make certain they are clean and tight, then have the battery load tested to verify condition and go from there.

Rather than carrying jumper cables, invest in a battery pack, a little more expensive and it must be kept charged maybe every 6 mos, but at least not dependent on another vehicle.

nfnsquared

^^^ and don't just look at the connectors and assume they are good. Physically remove both cable connectors and brush them clean with a wire brush and some baking soda/water mix. I recommend using some commercial anti-corrosion spray (less than $10 at Wally world).

serbj

iTrader: (1)

I went to the Acura dealership and they changed the battery. I really tried to be nice and not arguing like an a-, but my friend said I was behaving like a pussy.

serbj

iTrader: (1)

Fixed! I've finally found out myself that my HFL has a short or something, consistently draining the battery even when car is off. So I disconnected it and took it off. Now my world is finally back to peace. Sigh. I wish I didn't go to the dealership in the first place.

This is not a rocket science fix, and many people have done it before. So forgive me for not posting a picture-demonstrated fix-it threat.

References:
How do I disable my Failed HandsFree link
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/how-do-i-disable-my-failed-handsfree-link-799670/

HFL Module Replacement - '06 TL
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/hfl-module-replacement-06-tl-843512/

I-142: Yet another non-navi to navi conversion success story!
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/i-142-yet-another-non-navi-navi-conversion-success-story-640304/

Completed!!!! Non-navi to factory-navi conversion!!!
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/completed-non-navi-factory-navi-conversion-600316/