hey guys, just got my TL 2 weeks ago, and i love it! i also love this site, its very very helpful. so heres my 1st post. . .

does anyone else have any trouble starting their TL? especially on cold starts, i can never get the ignition to turn over on the 1st try. it takes at least 2 to 3 times. even on warm starts, its about a 50/50 chance that it goes on the 1st try.

just wanted to see if i was the only one experiencing this. thought it was odd that it would happen to this fine new car!


thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

Doesn't sound normal at all. Go back to the dealer ASAP. I've seen old GM cars start on the first try in the cold and your NEW TL should always start on first try. Maybe something is slowly draining your battery.

 

Is it just sluggish in cranking, or are you releasing the ignition key too soon?

I have experienced the latter with my 06, and mentally have to remember to hold the key in the start position until I hear the engine start. If I release too quickly it does take a few extra cranks the second time to get it started.

 

The TL will almost never start on the first try. The computer tries to achieve the lowest level for pollutants so adjusts itself each time you start, resulting in the need for a couple of turns sometimes. The few times mine started on the first turn it scared the hell out of me.

You will get used to it, but others will comment about why your car doesn't start on the first turn. Just tell them it is for the good of the atmosphere.

 

I live in a colder climate than you (on average) and mine still starts on the first try 100% of the time. I got 9300+ miles on mine ('05 5AT with Navi).

Btw, nice combo.. Exactly what I have!

 

when you give second or third try, give at least 5 seconds. I almost damaged engine when I immediately did second start after first start failed. Manual says 10 or 15 seconds minimum I believe.

 

It has been a problem since October of 2003 when the 3rd Gen was first introduced.

Embarising in front of guests in the car, and wondering if it will start

 

I've had a better chance starting my TL on the first try, say 75/25, I like the it when it doesn't start on the first turn, the exhaust blows hard and you can hear a throaty sound when it gets running.

 

My experience with is more like 98% successful first try on my 5 week old '06. The colder weather is here now but I am not expecting that to make a difference. I use 91 octane gas.

 

we need more info from you. how long do you hold your key for each try? if you just turn the key and release it very quickly, then you might experience what u mentioned all the time. if u hold you key for at least 2~3 seconds and it still won't start on first try, i'd say u should go to the dealer (like hell they'd be able to reproduce the problem unless you leave your car there over night). i am almost 100% on first try unless i accidentally "slip" and "release".

 

thanks for your input guys. . .

i guess i could hold the key in a lil longer. . . but i wouldnt consider myself a quick key release kinda guy. it just worries me to keep the key turned for so long. i think my mom used to do that in her old car, and i remember they had to replace the alternater or something eventually.

i guess thats what warrenty is for

 

I have never had the car take any unusual amount of time to start

 

Oh, I usually hold it about 1+ seconds... No more than 1.5.

 

yes. that's my point. if you hold it for more than 2~3 second and it "still" won't start on the first try, you need to see a dealer. 1+ second is my experience as well.

 

[QUOTE=TLTrance]I live in a colder climate than you (on average) and mine still starts on the first try 100% of the time. I got 9300+ miles on mine ('05 5AT with Navi).

likewise. Mine always start on the first try

 

Did the manual state specifically that you would damage the engine attempting to start the car a second or more tries by not waiting X seconds?

I am curious how attempting to restart the engine too quickly could damage the engine.

 

My 2005 starts first time every time hot or cold with about a 1 second crank.
On most cars, you need to turn the engine at least one full turn before the sensors detect top dead center and can caculate the ignition timing. If the engine does not start first time every time, something is wrong and I would have it checked, as it may get worse, or not start.

I have not noticed it on my TL, but many cars will flood the engine if you start it then sshut it off, as in moving the car out of the garage. The next time you start it, it can flood out some plugs. The Passat did that, you had to let it run for a little bit, otherwise a bad misfire on the next restart. That is so the cars start in places where it gets REALLY cold, the cold start mixture is on the rich side.

You also have fuel pressure, the system is supposed to maintain some fuel pressure in the fuel rail over time. When you turn the key on, the fuel pump runs for a second or so to get the pressure back up, but turning the key fast wont allow it time to pump up. Normaly, the system would hold most of its pressure, but if the fuel pressure regulator or check valve in the fuel pump leaks, the pressure goes away over time and the engine wont start the first turn of the key.
A fuel pressure test will show if that is a problem, as will turning the key on and off a few times before cranking the engine, each operation of the key runs the pump to build up pressure.

You could also have a bad relay or some other problem, not easy to find and fix...

Brett

 

This is nothing new - what seemed to work for us with the 2004's was turn the key forward once (dash lights up) let all your gauges set in place - I usually put my seatbelt on at this point - and then I turn the key one more click forward and she starts every single time. Just needs a little longer than most cars for the fuel pump to do its thing and this computer adjusting for emissions thing the guys spoke of. Try what I said - I have never had an issue starting since I adopted this behavior.

 

Although I think the expectation of an instant start on a relately large V6 is somewhat unrealistic (although I love the way a Honda 4 cylinder cranks, like it's nuthin!), I also noticed variances on the TLs start up.

However, am I the only person that got the extensive lecture about the ULEV2 characteristics upon delivery?

It won't start up 'instantly'. As RonA mentioned, the computer is trying to quelch excessive emmisions, which are typically worse at start up.

The TL will start differently hot and cold...again ULEV2 in action. I find it start faster cold, but sometimes with a 'pop'. I find it starts smoother warm, but tends to crank longer.

Idle may not be smooth when cold, and may 'stumble' until emmissions are within ULEV2 parameters. Each of the slight trembles is really a tree hugger rejoicing.

As much as we praise the TLs performance, we tend to forget its one of the greener combustion production autos (oh yeah, safer too). The performance and ULEV2 attributes are not necessarily complimentary, engineering wise. So there must be some compromises to accomodate both. I, for one, am very impressed with the amount of performance, relative economy and ULEV2 the TL delivers. What committee decisions that must have been!

That said, if your TLs behavior is not what was demo'd in TL Delivery 101, I would certainly talk to the service advisor. But a 2 second crank being a problem???

 

Funny, but I have not noticed any difference between my ulev TL and any other correctly running car I have owned, we hop in, jam the clutch pedal down, and turn the key to start for about 1 second, and it always starts right up, no fus, no muss.
It seems to act like any other 'normal' car in all respects...

Brett

 

my 04 6MT, 23000mi has started every single time on the first try.
I have the same habit as posted above, I turn it to the first click and wait about 1.5 second before turning to the starter position. Old habit I learned from some previous motorcycle I had that really wanted me to wait for that initial fuel pump burst.
There were some cold start issues posted about the 04 a year or so ago, and I believe someone mentioned that there is a reference about slow/odd cold (weather) starting in the owners manual... never had a problem so I never actually looked to see what the manual specifically said about it.... but I suspect it is the air/fuel mix being adjusted to reduce startup emissions.

 

My TL starts up on the first try even when cold. Only once it didnt crank on the first try. But in cold conditions the car starts with a 'pop' as TampaMike mentioned. Theres a pop noise and you can feel the engine jolt like something hit the engine. After start up the car will stumble when warming up with a rough idle. The whole car is SHAKING when warming up not vibrating. I didnt take it to acura to take a look at it since many of you have this same problem and seems a normal trait of this car

 

Hello Guys,

I have an 05 TL with 9000 kms on it and I have had no problems starting my car. It always starts on the first time I try it.

Thanks..NAA

 

I found it actually get better with aging regardless of weather. 10k mi, canada

 

This is not just the TL but most Honda's. It all depends where you live for the most part. And of course the satate you live in. For example if you live in California they have a lot of additives to fuel which in certain climates makes it hard to start. My suggestion per acura/Honda press gas pedal half way down and start car. You should be good then.

 

I have an 06 TL and it did the same thing several times including today. I have had it for 2 months. It has always started on the second try. My buddy just bought a 03 TL and he had this happen to him lastweek.

 

I had the same symptoms with my 04 TL,the dealer suggested It might be the gasoline That i was using. The brand i was using was BP gasoline,i switched to shell V-Power and the cold starting stopped eventually. Maybe after a week of driving on Shell V-Power.

 

Same prob w/an 06 here, but to "make" it start, I started holding the gas pedal down a tad as I start it. It seems to start every time now. I'm wondering if this is an 06 specific type deal as the other 06 I test drove first did something similar. And I'm in San Antonio, and yes, it's been in the 60s and 50s here for a week or so, but MAN I'd hate to see what it does when it really gets cold. Haven't tried the two stage starting yet, will try that tomorrow a.m. (turn to acc, buckle up, fire away). On the other hand, the gas pedal so far has been effective for me. Haven't hit the dealer yet, but will do that later if other 06 users can confirm that they can start up EVERY time.

Rey

P.S. hardwired a radar detector to my ride using this thread's how to... Any other 06 starting problem TL owners have any accessories added? Lights on all the time? What all do you have running when you start the car? Mine has done the same with or without lights on at startup, and with or without a/c on @ startup.

 

Naw, its not just an 06 problem. I have friends with 02 and 03 models that have had the same issue. So far it seems to be an Acura issue not a Honda problem.

 

Wow, never even heard of this issue. My brother's 03 TL-S never experienced this, either.

I thought everyone was being sarcastic with their replies...

It seems like those with 6MT aren't having this problem, though.

 

No problem with my new one, but I've always had a habit stopping the key at IGN before going to start for all my cars that are fuel injected. This is to give the fuel pump some time to pressurize the fuel lines before starting. No more than a second.

 

I have had this problem from just about the beginning to now - with 26k. Seems to happen more often when the car is cold - first start in the morning, or when leaving work.

I have a remote starter that fails to start the car 50% of the time. Luckily it is "smart" enough to keep trying every 15 seconds if the engine fails to turn over.

With the key, I sometimes have to crank for a few seconds, instead of the usual 1 or 2 seconds it should take.

Again, this rarely happens when the car is warm and has been driven. I have tried various gas stations - always name brand premiums: Mobil/Exxon, BP/Amoco, Hess, Getty and have continued to have the problem. The dealer says they never heard of it. I say bullshit.

 

A lot of the Acuras and Hondas are the same way depending on climate ect. Honda actually released news about this years ago. Try pushing the gas pedal half way down when starting. Will remedy your problem according to honda

 

I have 70,000 miles on my 2004 and it starts on the first time about 100% of the time. Every once in a while it'll do what the person in the original post mentioned... but usually it does not die .. but eventually turns over and gets up to speed.

Oh -- and it did improve "start up" performance when I installed my AEM CAI -- after the CAI, that thing started up on the first attempt 100% of the time.