What did they do!?
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What did they do!?
Long time lurker female lurker here... This is the first time I've really needed some specific wisdom from you guys. 
Long story short, two months after I bought my '12 TL Advance, as my SO and I were pulling into our driveway, our dipshit neighbor (who forgot where we live!?) ran into my passenger rear quarter panel. Took the car into a local body shop to have the damage repaired.
Picked the car up and somehow they drained my gas. I had a 56 mile range when I dropped it off, had 0 miles left when I picked it up. The next morning, I went out to start my car and an error message flashed where the trip computer is displayed -- said that the battery had a low charge. Drove the car to work in traffic just fine, but when I left work that afternoon I got about four blocks away from the office and the car died while I was driving.
Called someone, had them bring me a brand new battery on the spot. Car was fine for about two weeks, then started the same BS again. Had it towed to my dealership, they ran tests on the alternator/battery, had the car for four days. Everything seemed fine.
WTF happened to my car? Less than 6k miles, no issues.... Is it coincidence or could the collision shop have done something? Acura can't find ANYTHING wrong with the car. Am I just crazy here??
Long story short, two months after I bought my '12 TL Advance, as my SO and I were pulling into our driveway, our dipshit neighbor (who forgot where we live!?) ran into my passenger rear quarter panel. Took the car into a local body shop to have the damage repaired.
Picked the car up and somehow they drained my gas. I had a 56 mile range when I dropped it off, had 0 miles left when I picked it up. The next morning, I went out to start my car and an error message flashed where the trip computer is displayed -- said that the battery had a low charge. Drove the car to work in traffic just fine, but when I left work that afternoon I got about four blocks away from the office and the car died while I was driving.
Called someone, had them bring me a brand new battery on the spot. Car was fine for about two weeks, then started the same BS again. Had it towed to my dealership, they ran tests on the alternator/battery, had the car for four days. Everything seemed fine.WTF happened to my car? Less than 6k miles, no issues.... Is it coincidence or could the collision shop have done something? Acura can't find ANYTHING wrong with the car. Am I just crazy here??
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6G TLX-S
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From: YVR
Very likely that the body shop not only drained your gas, it also drained your battery as well. Any high-tech car, not just the TL, won't work very well on a weak battery especially with all the electronics and stuff.
With a fully charged new battery, everything should now be back to normal.
With a fully charged new battery, everything should now be back to normal.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Indiana
Sounds like you car could have possibly served as entertainment for the body shop crew. Could have driven it around a bit and enjoyed the eletronic toys. Check your HDD and see if there are tunes on there that you didn't put there. Just a thought.
I bet they had the accessories on and were jamming out while working on your car, then they realized that was going to drain your battery (albeit a bit too late) so they turned it on...thus using up most of the remaining gas. The fact it was getting zero MPG is probably what led the range to drop to zero by the time you picked it up.
Unfortunately I don't have any ideas as to why the car would still be experiencing issues after replacing the battery.
Good luck!
Unfortunately I don't have any ideas as to why the car would still be experiencing issues after replacing the battery.
Good luck!
Racer
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From: FL
i've always wondered about something; if you leave the smart key in the car overnight, does it keep draining the battery? i know some body shops that park their cars in a locked facility will leave the keys in the car to not lose them. if they left your smart key in the car; would it keep the car in a constant state of being "almost on"? either way sounds like a battery problem; which you had replaced. i wouldnt worry about it unless it happens again.. good luck
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do not tell me you replaced your drained acura battery with another shitty new acura battery...
get a optima battery, they are good
i dont see anything wrong with your car except a bad battery..
let me ask you, how many miles do you commute a day? how long is your drive?
get a optima battery, they are good
i dont see anything wrong with your car except a bad battery..
let me ask you, how many miles do you commute a day? how long is your drive?
Last edited by potmilkz; Mar 28, 2012 at 10:42 AM.
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Thank you SO much for all of your replies. I had a thought, and tell me if I am just being ridiculous... But I know that whenever these types of cars throw error codes, they must be cleared. Could it be that the error code for the low battery charge was never cleared, hence it showed up again? I cannot explain why it took a couple weeks to pop back up, but it's a thought...?
Hmm, actually this is a really great point that I hadn't thought of! I was under the impression, however, that the tank is on the driver side, whereas the passenger side of my vehicle was worked on..... Also, the body shop didn't disclose that this had happened when I asked them why they drained all the gas from my car, of course. 
Two bad batteries, really? What do you think the odds could possibly be on a basically brand new vehicle?
My commute is about twelve miles in traffic both ways.
do not tell me you replaced your drained acura battery with another shitty new acura battery...
get a optima battery, they are good
i dont see anything wrong with your car except a bad battery..
let me ask you, how many miles do you commute a day? how long is your drive?
get a optima battery, they are good
i dont see anything wrong with your car except a bad battery..
let me ask you, how many miles do you commute a day? how long is your drive?
My commute is about twelve miles in traffic both ways.
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i've always wondered about something; if you leave the smart key in the car overnight, does it keep draining the battery? i know some body shops that park their cars in a locked facility will leave the keys in the car to not lose them. if they left your smart key in the car; would it keep the car in a constant state of being "almost on"? either way sounds like a battery problem; which you had replaced. i wouldnt worry about it unless it happens again.. good luck
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From: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
I agree with the above, sounds like they had your stereo cranked up while working on the car, basically drained the battery since our systems use quite a bit of power.
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I agree that makes sense, but then how might one explain that a second brand new battery went belly up within the next couple weeks, assuming that there was not just simply an error code that needed to be cleared by the dealership? That seems indicative of a larger issue to me.
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just fyi, acura batteries are known to just die, even when new.
also if the shop did drain the battery, it will require the car to be driven for many and many miles for the alternator to charge the battery. hence the reason why i ask how many miles you drive.
now let me ask you... do you do quick stops? like drive 1 mile down the street and then again and again and again?
reason why i ask is because for such a car like our 4g TL, there are a lot of electronics that needs powering when you start the car. Once you press the start button, the car drains power directly from the battery to start the car then the alternator kicks it to recoupe the power lost in the battery when starting the car. If you dont give the alternator enough time to do this, the battery will just drain and drain and drain till there is nothing left.
also if the shop did drain the battery, it will require the car to be driven for many and many miles for the alternator to charge the battery. hence the reason why i ask how many miles you drive.
now let me ask you... do you do quick stops? like drive 1 mile down the street and then again and again and again?
reason why i ask is because for such a car like our 4g TL, there are a lot of electronics that needs powering when you start the car. Once you press the start button, the car drains power directly from the battery to start the car then the alternator kicks it to recoupe the power lost in the battery when starting the car. If you dont give the alternator enough time to do this, the battery will just drain and drain and drain till there is nothing left.
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just fyi, acura batteries are known to just die, even when new.
also if the shop did drain the battery, it will require the car to be driven for many and many miles for the alternator to charge the battery. hence the reason why i ask how many miles you drive.
now let me ask you... do you do quick stops? like drive 1 mile down the street and then again and again and again?
reason why i ask is because for such a car like our 4g TL, there are a lot of electronics that needs powering when you start the car. Once you press the start button, the car drains power directly from the battery to start the car then the alternator kicks it to recoupe the power lost in the battery when starting the car. If you dont give the alternator enough time to do this, the battery will just drain and drain and drain till there is nothing left.
also if the shop did drain the battery, it will require the car to be driven for many and many miles for the alternator to charge the battery. hence the reason why i ask how many miles you drive.
now let me ask you... do you do quick stops? like drive 1 mile down the street and then again and again and again?
reason why i ask is because for such a car like our 4g TL, there are a lot of electronics that needs powering when you start the car. Once you press the start button, the car drains power directly from the battery to start the car then the alternator kicks it to recoupe the power lost in the battery when starting the car. If you dont give the alternator enough time to do this, the battery will just drain and drain and drain till there is nothing left.
Nope. I am in freeway traffic both ways, actually. My first thought was that I needed to drive the car to allow the alternator to recharge the battery. I made it to work just fine that morning and figured the job was done... But when I left to go home that evening, apparently the job was NOT done and thus the car pooped out on me while driving.
I was actually just talking to my dad about this....... The mystery remains -- why would the second battery start having issues within a matter of weeks? The first is easily explained - some bozo at the car shop had a great time at the expense of my ride. No big deal, whatever. I don't blame them, it's a beautiful car.
... But then what the heck happened with the second battery?
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i see..
do not tell me they charged you for the second battery????!?
but yea.. if you want a piece of mind, your better off with an autozone battery than a acura battery.
when i first got my 2010, 2 months later, i had to bring the car in because the battery was dead.. had it replaced under warranty, but still problem will persist.. then i finally just gave up and bought a optima battery, no issues so far.. and this is coming from a car that has only been driven for 2 months.
do not tell me they charged you for the second battery????!?
but yea.. if you want a piece of mind, your better off with an autozone battery than a acura battery.
when i first got my 2010, 2 months later, i had to bring the car in because the battery was dead.. had it replaced under warranty, but still problem will persist.. then i finally just gave up and bought a optima battery, no issues so far.. and this is coming from a car that has only been driven for 2 months.
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i see..
do not tell me they charged you for the second battery????!?
but yea.. if you want a piece of mind, your better off with an autozone battery than a acura battery.
when i first got my 2010, 2 months later, i had to bring the car in because the battery was dead.. had it replaced under warranty, but still problem will persist.. then i finally just gave up and bought a optima battery, no issues so far.. and this is coming from a car that has only been driven for 2 months.
do not tell me they charged you for the second battery????!?
but yea.. if you want a piece of mind, your better off with an autozone battery than a acura battery.
when i first got my 2010, 2 months later, i had to bring the car in because the battery was dead.. had it replaced under warranty, but still problem will persist.. then i finally just gave up and bought a optima battery, no issues so far.. and this is coming from a car that has only been driven for 2 months.
No way did they charge me for the second battery. I had no clue that Acura batteries had a reputation for being crap. Looks like it's time to make a stop by Auto Zone after work today........ Or perhaps the Lexus dealership?
Racer
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From: Wilmington, DE
Suzuka Master
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The Honda batteries seem very inconsistent, some die a quick death others last. My ‘06 TL battery lasted to late 2010 & was replaced by an AutoZone standard off the shelf brand which was strong till the car was sold last summer.
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I'm still wondering how two drained back to back in a matter of a couple weeks. It just seems so odd to me...?
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From: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Yeah the Acura batteries suck to be frank. With navigation, bluetooth, keyless entry and the various sensors and computers involved, modern automotive electrical systems are to the breaking point as is. Manufacturers sometimes go cheap and throw in an inferior battery.
Add the occasional 'vampire' effect that some of the computers have (bluetooth running even after the car is off/locked) and you have a recipe for a real mess.
Add the occasional 'vampire' effect that some of the computers have (bluetooth running even after the car is off/locked) and you have a recipe for a real mess.
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From: Southeast Texas
Years ago when Acura first showed up the USA, I worked for an Acura dealership. Even then the batteries were bad. I don't know how many we replaced on brand new cars sitting on the lot. It was not unusual for us to have to jump off cars coming off the convoy truck! During the period I worked there, from 1987 to 95, the batteries were made by two companies, Johnson Controls and Panasonic. Both seemed equally bad. I'm not sure who makes the batteries for Honda products now. I know I had to replace my 2001 CL's battery after just two years. I bought a 2006 Toyota and it still had the original battery in it when I traded it in on my current TL. So far, I've not had any battery issues or any issues with the TL so far.
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i got the yellow top one.
but yea not all are bad, but there are many bad acura batteries than good ones..
also in cold weather, your car is prone to pulling more power to crank the motor, thus you will need a higher cold crank battery.
but yea not all are bad, but there are many bad acura batteries than good ones..
also in cold weather, your car is prone to pulling more power to crank the motor, thus you will need a higher cold crank battery.
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Years ago when Acura first showed up the USA, I worked for an Acura dealership. Even then the batteries were bad. I don't know how many we replaced on brand new cars sitting on the lot. It was not unusual for us to have to jump off cars coming off the convoy truck! During the period I worked there, from 1987 to 95, the batteries were made by two companies, Johnson Controls and Panasonic. Both seemed equally bad. I'm not sure who makes the batteries for Honda products now. I know I had to replace my 2001 CL's battery after just two years. I bought a 2006 Toyota and it still had the original battery in it when I traded it in on my current TL. So far, I've not had any battery issues or any issues with the TL so far.
I've had a 2004 TL, a 97 CL, two 2009 TLs, and now my 2012 - not to mention a myriad of Accords. This is my first experience with battery problems.
Suzuka Master
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I have heard the same thing about the Acura batteries and my 2012 TL is not different. I drive my TL very few times in the winter here in Canada so I bought a CTEK 3300 which is an AMAZING little gizmo for topping up the battery. I can now plug my vehicle while its in the garage and don't have to worry about driving it from time to time just to charge up the battery....
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Don't reveal how many Acura's you have driven....you know that some cleaver guy here will try to work backward and figure out if your posted age is accurate *lol*
I have heard the same thing about the Acura batteries and my 2012 TL is not different. I drive my TL very few times in the winter here in Canada so I bought a CTEK 3300 which is an AMAZING little gizmo for topping up the battery. I can now plug my vehicle while its in the garage and don't have to worry about driving it from time to time just to charge up the battery....
I have heard the same thing about the Acura batteries and my 2012 TL is not different. I drive my TL very few times in the winter here in Canada so I bought a CTEK 3300 which is an AMAZING little gizmo for topping up the battery. I can now plug my vehicle while its in the garage and don't have to worry about driving it from time to time just to charge up the battery....
I'll check out the CTEK -- although my TL is my daily driver as we do not have winter here, so perhaps it wouldn't really be as functional for me.....
Suzuka Master
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I agree that if you drive your car every day, this CTEK device may be not as practical but even if you left it plugged in overnight when you feel you have listened to your music when washing the car or things like that....it needs a few hours to top up your battery and then, it goes into a "trickle" mode (not tickle
) which then just maintains the charge, and the usefulness of this device when not driving your car often (as is the case for me)BTW...I agree with others that they likely played too much music in your car while fixing it but can't explain the second failure....a fluke maybe?!
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*lol* Are you sure you are not Canadian with that "eh?" That is so typical of our language up here in cold country
I agree that if you drive your car every day, this CTEK device may be not as practical but even if you left it plugged in overnight when you feel you have listened to your music when washing the car or things like that....it needs a few hours to top up your battery and then, it goes into a "trickle" mode (not tickle ) which then just maintains the charge, and the usefulness of this device when not driving your car often (as is the case for me)
BTW...I agree with others that they likely played too much music in your car while fixing it but can't explain the second failure....a fluke maybe?!
I agree that if you drive your car every day, this CTEK device may be not as practical but even if you left it plugged in overnight when you feel you have listened to your music when washing the car or things like that....it needs a few hours to top up your battery and then, it goes into a "trickle" mode (not tickle
) which then just maintains the charge, and the usefulness of this device when not driving your car often (as is the case for me)BTW...I agree with others that they likely played too much music in your car while fixing it but can't explain the second failure....a fluke maybe?!
Thank you for the advice re: CTEK. The least I can do is give it a try. I guess had the TL not had such an awesome system, perhaps the body shop guys would not have drained my battery.
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From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
It's unusual for a battery (the 'new' one) to die that fast - even sucky Acura batteries. Could happen, but it's an odd coincidence. I'd wonder if they shorted or mis-wired something during the repair.
Have you replaced the second battery too?
Have you replaced the second battery too?
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I have not replaced the second battery yet. It does seem like a very odd coincidence!
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It is allegedy a brand new, Acura OEM battery. When I was stranded, I called the body shop and gave them a piece of my mind. They had one of their guys bring the battery to me and install it. So I have no guarantee that the battery was indeed brand new as they stated. Just going by what I was told.... Which, as a girl, sometimes isn't the best thing.
you called a body shop to bring you a battery?
probably was used, look new.
either way go to vatozone to get a new battery
6G TLX-S
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From: YVR
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...-tl-powertrain
BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS)
Starting with the 2012 model, the TL features a new Battery Management System (BMS) that is designed to increase the overall service life of the battery, reduce the chance of a dead battery and help deliver improved fuel economy.
Should a TL owner accidentally leave on the headlights or not close a door causing an interior light to remain on, after a set period of time the BMS will automatically terminate power delivery to prevent the battery from going dead. Moreover, the BMS continually monitors battery condition and will provide a warning message while automatically turning off the interior lights when battery condition or cranking capability drops too low. As a result of the discharge protection afforded by the BMS, the battery should always have enough reserve capacity left to start the engine.
The TL's 3.5L and 3.7L engine make use of a powerful 130 amp alternator that charges in two different ranges- a low 12-volt range and a high 14-volt range. By closely controlling the alternator charge voltage range, BMS works to keep the battery in a specific charge range which can extend the service life of the battery by more than 25 percent. With BMS keeping the battery in a specific charge range, the alternator can run more often in the low range which generates less drag on the engine resulting in improved fuel economy.
Application of numerous electrical power reducing items (such as the use of efficient LED lighting and a special humidity control system that has an automatic air conditioning "off" function) allows the BMS to operate the alternator even more frequently in the more efficient low charge mode.
Should a battery or charging system issue occur, the Multi Information Display (MID) will alert the driver with a text prompt such as, "BATTERY CHARGE LOW. Switch Off All Lights and Electrical Devices".
Starting with the 2012 model, the TL features a new Battery Management System (BMS) that is designed to increase the overall service life of the battery, reduce the chance of a dead battery and help deliver improved fuel economy.
Should a TL owner accidentally leave on the headlights or not close a door causing an interior light to remain on, after a set period of time the BMS will automatically terminate power delivery to prevent the battery from going dead. Moreover, the BMS continually monitors battery condition and will provide a warning message while automatically turning off the interior lights when battery condition or cranking capability drops too low. As a result of the discharge protection afforded by the BMS, the battery should always have enough reserve capacity left to start the engine.
The TL's 3.5L and 3.7L engine make use of a powerful 130 amp alternator that charges in two different ranges- a low 12-volt range and a high 14-volt range. By closely controlling the alternator charge voltage range, BMS works to keep the battery in a specific charge range which can extend the service life of the battery by more than 25 percent. With BMS keeping the battery in a specific charge range, the alternator can run more often in the low range which generates less drag on the engine resulting in improved fuel economy.
Application of numerous electrical power reducing items (such as the use of efficient LED lighting and a special humidity control system that has an automatic air conditioning "off" function) allows the BMS to operate the alternator even more frequently in the more efficient low charge mode.
Should a battery or charging system issue occur, the Multi Information Display (MID) will alert the driver with a text prompt such as, "BATTERY CHARGE LOW. Switch Off All Lights and Electrical Devices".
Three Wheelin'
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From: Texas Hill Country
I want to be sure I understand. Did the second battery actually go dead, or did you just get a low battery warning? I can't believe nobody has brought this up, but the low battery warning seems to be a glitch on the 2012's. There has been another thread about this. Ours has had a warning come on a couple of times indicating a low battery, but we have never actually had a problem with the battery and I have just ignored the warning. It has not done it in several months now.
See this thread...
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...hlight=battery
See this thread...
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...hlight=battery
Last edited by jjsC5; Mar 29, 2012 at 08:32 AM.
PS also check the battery terminals for any corrosion.
Last edited by eazy; Mar 29, 2012 at 10:37 AM.
6G TLX-S
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From: YVR
I'll also say to stick with the factory batteries for now as long as there's warranty coverage. No need to fish any more money out of pocket. $40K is quite enough already.
In essence, we've already prepaid for these repairs when we bought the Acura. It's all included in the price tag.
In essence, we've already prepaid for these repairs when we bought the Acura. It's all included in the price tag.