Starter - Which Relay?
 

'07 TL, Nav, ~150k miles

Short and simple:
Which relay is the starter relay in the fuse box under the hood? I've searched for 30 minutes online with parts diagrams, acura.com, etc. etc. etc. and couldn't figure it out. The diagram on the lid is not terribly helpful either...

My guess is the Omron in the lower RH corner.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...b505fbad63.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...c7f1a7610e.jpg


Background if you want to know why I ask:
Had an intermittent occurrence of the "check starting system" error popping up on the MID a couple of months ago, but no "symptoms" of a problem. I think it happened 2-3 times one week and went away, so I ignored it.

This morning, tried to leave for work and the car wouldn't start.
- no click
- no other noises
- all gauges and lights came on
- MID gave check starting system error
- whacking with a hammer didn't seem to work, but it did start after several attempts

- Battery is an Interstate Megatron Plus that I installed less than a year ago.
- All cables, clamps, grounds are clean and tight.

I figured before I drop $150 on a starter, I should check the relay first. Also, I can test/verify by getting a new relay and swapping it if/when the problem happens again.

I ordered an aftermarket started and keep it in my trunk, every once in a while I have to whack mine. Could change it quickly if needed.

I balked at OEM, and ordered a DB Electrical starter after researching options:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007XUIPCA

It's not re-manufactured, it's a new build. It also looks as nice as the OEM in build quality.

I'll probably have to change mine in the middle of winter and during a snow storm :).

I know a lot swear by OEM for starters, I've had no issues in the past with quality aftermarket ones.

Since, you're already having to bang on your starter, you may want to have an extra on standby like what I'm doing.

If/when I need to replace it, I'll reman the original. I'd just rather not deal with the down time.

You can test the relay if you like via this video, fyi the relay is inside the car:


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2r8r1t_acura-tl-starter-relay-test-and-replacement_auto

I got the BD one also from ebay. Its not bad. I had advance auto test it before I put it in and it was fine

Initially I thought my fuse block looked a little different and that there might be a change between the 05-06 and the 07-08 in where the relays were located (there are all kinds of other little things, why not, right?)

A couple of points that might help someone else out.
- That video is WRONG, the front lower, black relay is NOT the starter relay; my car started just fine without it.

- The starter relay (best I can tell) is the most forward of the two red Mitsuba (7002 32 6X29) relays. I removed every relay in the block and that was the only one that kept the starter from turning over.

- The car's behavior with that relay out was different than what I experienced this morning. The MID didn't display any error messages when I tried to start the car with the relay out; behaved as normal, just no starter sound.

I ordered a starter from O'Reilly this morning as they were the fastest place to get it from. Napa is my preferred option, but they told me it would be a week or so; none of the other big chains had one on the shelf either. Should be at the store NLT 7:30 tomorrow morning, hope I can get it running two more times tomorrow, lol.

The video is correct. The location he shows in the video is indeed the starter cut relay for a 04-05 3G TL....

Good luck with the new starter! If that doesn't fix it, you could also have a bad ignition switch. It's a ~$40 part and easy DIY install if it comes to that.

I apologize for not wasting more of my free time in finding you the most accurate video relative to your model TL...:annoyed:.

The video is accurate, it was meant to aid and assist you in relatively applying it to your vehicle. :tomato:

I mean, you were looking for it under the hood...and they're labeled. :dunno:

OP

I really think it's a connection problem. You need to clean the battery terminals with the battery terminal cleaning tool. Not just give it a visual inspection.

Your 07 TL is it Auto or manual transmission?

I am looking for the answer for this also. I have an 07 Type S automatic. I am thinking its the same one bottom right. The relay I got from advance auto matches the Omni ones and says AC component switch and the picture looks like its for the AC and Starter. I'm replace that one and sees what happens. I have replaced the starter already.

I ordered this one. It felt just as sturdy as the OEM and served well until I repaired and re-installed the OEM.


The video above does locate the starter cut relay for 2004-2006 (see image "2004 relay location" taken from 2004 SM).

For 2007-2007, it appears the starter cut relay was moved and now there are two (see images "detail" and "index" "location" taken from 2007 SM).

I've also attached an image of the starter diagram to illustrate the use of the two starter cut relays (see image "starter diagram").

The 2007 SM can be found via this link
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...al-pdf-965440/

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...b17bd82609.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...0f0b73d82c.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...ed33d8b60d.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...eee08acef8.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...020d2e2ba6.jpg

I was looking at this yesterday. the fuse/relay box is under the hood. My wife's 2010 has a different configuration from the 07 -08.