jaimbot

I have a 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD and it wont turn on, the battery seems fine as all the lights work including the headlights. When I tried to start it this morning it cranked but didn't start, and most of the lights on the dashboard turned on and the nav turned on. The more I try starting the car the less it cranks now.

Recent maintenance:

- I have had led license plate lights for around a year now and I just put new ones in on Sunday, im not sure if that has any effect? I tried taking them out but the same result it does not start.

- I also got the oil changed and the rear transmission fluid changed on the weekend.

- I drove over a large puddle that made a big splash on Monday, Im not sure if the water got into the electric components somehow, but Teusday it drove fine.

do any of these points have to do with the car not starting?

please help!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

unfortunately, testing to see if the battery is good by turning on lights isnt as valid as it was back in the day. you'll need to test the battery with a multi-meter to see if it's outputting 12.2-12.4 volts when the keys are out of the ignition.

if the battery is holding steady at 12.2 volts when the car is off, the battery is in good condition. if less, it wont hold a charge and wont turn on the vehicle due to complexity of the modern electronics.

How old is the battery? there should be a sticker on the battery itself that tells the month and year of birth

subsequently, make sure the battery terminals are tightly connected.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

another clue that its the battery; as you stated,"the more I try, the less it cranks"

jaimbot

I turned on the headlights again and then tried starting the car and this time the nav/radio system wouldn't turn on only the fan/a/c component did with the dash lights, with little to no crank. Now when I try to start it even without the headlights on the nav/radio doesnt turn on only the fan/ a/c component does. So does this indicate that there is not enough power to turn on the nav system? indicating that it is the battery?

Also, I believe the battery is at least 4-5 years old, I will have to check on that one

Takehold66

^^ Agree.
It's probably the battery. If it is the original battery and it is more than 3 years old then that would be my guess. OEM batteries were not that good and mine had the same symptoms at 2 years old.

ulrblitzer

Sounds like battery. And the fact you stated its 4-5 yrs old.


Tis the season I wait for the first cold spell and see how many people don't make it into work / ask for a jump start due to aged batteries.

jaimbot

I could not find the date on the battery, but the model of the battery is 31500-SEP-A12, I bought the car in 2013 and never change the battery since then im not sure if the original owner did. I believe the 31500-SEP-A12 is the original battery that came with the car?

jaimbot

Also I just jumped the car and the starter worked fine, so for sure its the battery right?

ulrblitzer

My 09 is on its 2nd battery. And there are threads that OEM batteries tend to last shorter than off the shelf aftermarket ones so if yours is still the original, it's given you a long life of service.


To ease your worries, go give xxxxxx auto parts store 45 mins of your time and let them test your battery to see if it'll hold a charge / has enough juice for cold crank. The results will point you in which direction you need to go.