Sondinh

iTrader: (3)

I wanted to get a starter for my 2004 Acura TL, but at the dealer they want to charge me $620 for just a starter. Isn't that a ripped off? What would happen if I get my starter from some other place and not at the dealer? Will it destroy and causes problems to my vehicle? Please let me know what I should do. Thank you!!

KJSmitty

No,

Worse case it just wouldn't last as long as a genuine Honda part. At that price I would definitely be checking some place like Napa or Autozone etc.. Check some of the online Acura dealerships that sponsor and/or are mentioned on AZ as well.


Good luck

NE14RoxCJ

I need a starter too for my 04 TL 5AT. Price shock!! $400 even. Also, I see a couple of different numbers and some even cross to some honda numbers (accord, odyssey, pilot, etc.). I'm wondering if the 04 TL had the same trans and starter as the 2nd gen. Then in 2005, they changed to the new starter. Any ideas?? I'm gonna do some searching when I get home. Thanks

lebshiff21

Is this it?

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

enigmaos

iTrader: (4)

contact Tim at www.hondacuraworld.com official vendor for OEM parts.

SodaLuvr

Aftermarket ones usually have a lifetime warranty, so I'd go with that.

Aftermarket ones tend to be OE units that are rebuilt. Did you starter fail? How many miles?

NE14RoxCJ

lebshift- that seems to be the one, but when I look it up for a 2004 TL base, I get the 31200-RCA-A51 which also shows the number SM-44239. That is what my starter says on it so I am inclined to think that would be the one. I think the "sport" model shows the one you linked to. Is that the 6MT? mine is the 5AT. Too bad, seems I'd been a little better with a 6-speed in this case. Mine is $388 while the 6MT one is $155. Plus I would have been able to push start my car if it were a manual.

Yes, my starter has failed me. It never showed signs, then when I was on my lunch break, I got back in my car and it would only click. Everything else electrical was fine. Checked the battery and it was dry. Filled it with water, and tried to jump start it. Nothing but a click. Then I got the little jack handle/crank rod from the trunk and beat on the side of the starter a few times. Started right up. Drove it back to work and the same thing happened when I got ready to leave. So now I'm home trying to fine an alternative to a $400 starter.

I like the idea of the $120 lifetime warranty reman from the parts store, but they don't seem to be able to get the one I need. O'reilly, Advance, Autozone, none of them. I'll do some calling around tomorrow and see what I can find around here. Does anyone know if a starter for another vehicle would work. What could be so different? A wiring connector? Just wondering if Honda really has "that many" different starters being produced or is it just slight variations of the same starter? I shall know soon and I will share any knowledge I gain...

NE14RoxCJ

Oh, my Ac has 86,300 miles on it and has probably seen more short trips in the last 9 months than it did in its first 3 years. It gets started at least 4 times a day and usually more like 6 or 8. I have no problem with the starter taking a dump, I just don't think it should cost $400 for a new one. And a reman for $200 even? well, thats not so bad...
Anyway, if its just a matter of changing some internals (brushes, armature, whatever) any starter shop should be able to rebuild it. Hell, I could rebuild it if I had the parts. Its a DC motor... OK, I'm done. Getting out the wallet cause, I know, I bought a premium brand car. I wonder does that $400 starter come with some vasoline???

SodaLuvr

A Spectra Premium remanufactured unit for the A/T is $111.99 on RockAuto + core charge. Even if you count in the fees to ship the core back (if it fits in a $3.99 Express Mail flat rate box), it should be well under $200 total.

NE14RoxCJ

Thanks soda. Hopefully I'll find something more local, but I'll sure keep that one in mind if I need to order one.

NE14RoxCJ

OK, I got the starter from Advance Auto this morning. A reman, of course. for $120. They were the only ones (besides Rock Auto) that listed the 17298 number and stocked it. Everyone else listed a 17900 for the third gen TL and couldn't get it from their warehouse. I took the starter out this morning and carried it to Advance after calling to confirm they had the reman in stock. The 17298 has a bracket on one of the long starter motor bolts. I took it off and, I assume, made it a 17900 just like the Honda starter that I took off my car. Crisis avoided.

So, I've concluded that many of the Honda V6's used the same starter. Duhhh. I was stressing about this overnight and am happy to get to drive my car to work this evening. Thank you all for your input.

Manach

Yea the Acura dealer by me wants 600 for one. There is a few places in town that have signs up for installed starters for under 200 with lifetime warrantys. Does anyone know if it will void warranty to get one at one of these places?

nfnsquared

Void what warranty?

Manach

My TLs certified used, I got the 7-year 100,000 miles warranty.

ndabunka

Then have Acura replace it under warranty. What's the problem? Odd that we have two "simultaneously" starter failures. Never recall hearing of anyone one else having such a problem.

Soccer_playa1579

go find a totalled tl and jack that hoe lol

Soccer_playa1579

go find a totalled tsx and jack that hoe lol

Manach

Sorry I wasn't clear. I don't have a starter, I am looking to get one. I thought maybe someone here knew if I get one installed by a non-acura place if it voids by extended warranty.

nfnsquared

Dude, no one here can help you on that one. You need to talk to
Acura or whoever wrote the warranty.

Manach

Well its the standard acura warranty so if someone here had the warranty and did what I want to do then they would know, thats why I asked. I'll ask some dealers when I can, thought I would throw it up here in the mean time.

NE14RoxCJ

Just looking back through this post. You must have a 6MT. Starters are nice to have. That way you can get in your car and turn the key all the way and it starts right up. I can't imagine having to do the "Fred Flintstone" every time. Did your car not come with a starter? I guess the Honda Certified Mechanic missed that.

OK, seriously, we were not talking about a remote-start system here. We were talking about a starter motor that mounts to the engine/trans and turns the flywheel of the engine to begin the start sequence. I would guess that any modification to the factory wiring in your car would cause issues with your warranty if an electrical problem were to arise.

NE14RoxCJ

And then looking at the first post, I see that we all may have been confused. I think the OP was referring to a remote start system too. Oh well, I got a reman starter on my car now and it is starting just fine every time. I too, wish that I could start my car from the remote, but haven't gotten that comfortable with its systems yet. I have installed an alarm/RS combo on both my K5 Blazer and my girlfriends Jeep Wrangler (yes, a soft-top jeep with power door locks, remote start and a motion sensor. Its a girly-Jeep). Nice in the winter time, for sure. But my Ac never takes very long to warm up and the seat heaters heat up my most important parts really quick.

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

Considered a "wear and tear" item would not be covered under warranty

freeone

I'm not sure if you bought a starter yet, probably did considering how old this thread it. But for future reference for anyone that may find this thread useful through a search, did you know that you could rebuilt the starter for pennies?

Well, not actually pennies. If you have a starter repair shop around town, all you have to do is take out your old starter, take it apart and take the two copper contact washers to the shop and purchase new washers. They'll probably cost you $1-2!

Put back together and good as a new $600 starter.

dsc888

Great post! I just googled this and found some post on an Integra Forum about buying a kit from Toyota that has the exact same parts as the Acura starter and it seemed to have worked for all but one person on the thread. They say that the starters for both Acura and Toyota are by Nippondenso and only Toyota makes the rebuild kit for about $36 total vs. about $120 for a rebuilt one from your local auto store. Here's the link.

http://www.team-integra.net/forum/di...0&ThreadPage=1