I have a 2009 TL SH-AWD with about 120,000 miles. Recently, while driving my car began flashing numerous warning lights (Emissions, Check SH-AWD, etc.), as well as indicators like the Parking Brake light. I believe even the gas gauge drops to E sometimes. Even more concerning, sometimes when this happens, the steering locks up for a split second and the engine acceleration hesitates!! I brought it to my local mechanic who has saved the day for little/no cost many a time with this and other family cars. He kept the car for a few days and of course could not recreate the problem. Moreover, whatever, diagnostics he was using did not show a problem. I asked him to check the battery, since I had read that a low battery or problem with the charge could be a culprit for false warning lights.I also believe at some point I saw a message on my dash saying low voltage battery. He said battery is OK. I am set to bring it to Acura dealer tomorrow and would greatly appreciate some input from the community before they give me the news. I have to believe its electrical and not mechanical, but am surprised that whatever is going on can cause the steering and acceleration to be compromised. Thanks.

 

I'd get a new battery rather than go to the dealer. My bet is that it will fix the problem.

 

Thanks Thoiboi. Given the safety issue of steering and acceleration, I feel compelled to hear what they will have to say, but will plant the seed regarding possible battery issue.

 

It's 150-200 bucks for 'diagnostic' versus $100 for a new battery


my bet is that their diagnostic will tell you you need a new battery and then you'll be out ~$300



Just trying to save you a few bucks...

 

I'm confused, if there were lights on like check emissions and check sh-awd then there must be error codes stored in the computer. You need to ask the mechanic what the codes were. Those could shed some light on the problem.

 

Last time mine did that it was the alternator. If you take it to AutoZone and get your battery tested, it will probably say check or weak charging system detected.

 

Thanks dopeboy1. You would think and its my fault for not asking. However, local mechanic didn't charge me anything and suggested take it to Acura. Dropped ot off at dealer this morning and will report back.

 

Thanks Sylvester. Alternator sounds like a distinct possibility. Brought it to dealer this morning. Will report back here ASAP.

 

Brought TL to dealer this morning. They just called to say battery and alternator showing as OK, but doing some other tests to double check and will keep car overnight. Says if I drive car everyday and frquently (which I do) could be a false positive. Need to let it sit. Also told me I last replaced battery in 2015 and alternator in 2017. And of course they found several other unrelated issues. Right side axle leaking transmission fluid ($371.00) and left side muffler assembly leaking - but passes inspection. Will update when I have further info on the electrical issue. Thanks.

 

Further Update - So the dealer called again this morning and said their further testing of the electrical system could find no "parasitic draw" on the power and battery/alternator still showing as OK. I asked him about error codes/messages and he said they are NOT SHOWING ANYTHING!! I said I cant believe with every warning light flashing and steering, braking and acceleration being effected, as well as the whole infotainment system rebooting at will, no codes are showing???? So I guess my local mechanic was right about that and the battery. Sounded like they didnt know where to go from here. ANY other thoughts from this amazing "collective think tank" would be greatly appreciated. I love my TL and cant afford a new car, but cannot risk driving it with this condition, not to mention there are unrelated repairs needed (incl. two new tires) that I will not spend the money on. Its a vexing delima, because even where I to try putting in a new battery to see if that is a fix, the problem I am dealing with surfaces intermittenly and therefore, could seem to be alliviated for weeks and then surface with a vengence. So I will not know if I'm in the clear, so as to sink money into other needed repairs.

 

Originally Posted by akrauss
I have a 2009 TL SH-AWD with about 120,000 miles. Recently, while driving my car began flashing numerous warning lights (Emissions, Check SH-AWD, etc.), as well as indicators like the Parking Brake light. I believe even the gas gauge drops to E sometimes. Even more concerning, sometimes when this happens, the steering locks up for a split second and the engine acceleration hesitates!! I brought it to my local mechanic who has saved the day for little/no cost many a time with this and other family cars. He kept the car for a few days and of course could not recreate the problem. Moreover, whatever, diagnostics he was using did not show a problem. I asked him to check the battery, since I had read that a low battery or problem with the charge could be a culprit for false warning lights.I also believe at some point I saw a message on my dash saying low voltage battery. He said battery is OK. I am set to bring it to Acura dealer tomorrow and would greatly appreciate some input from the community before they give me the news. I have to believe its electrical and not mechanical, but am surprised that whatever is going on can cause the steering and acceleration to be compromised. Thanks.

Further Update - So the dealer called again this morning and said their further testing of the electrical system could find no "parasitic draw" on the power and battery/alternator still showing as OK. I asked him about error codes/messages and he said they are NOT SHOWING ANYTHING!! I said I cant believe with every warning light flashing and steering, braking and acceleration being effected, as well as the whole infotainment system rebooting at will, no codes are showing???? So I guess my local mechanic was right about that and the battery. Sounded like they didnt know where to go from here. ANY other thoughts from this amazing "collective think tank" would be greatly appreciated. I love my TL and cant afford a new car, but cannot risk driving it with this condition, not to mention there are unrelated repairs needed (incl. two new tires) that I will not spend the money on. Its a vexing dilemma, because even where I to try putting in a new battery to see if that is a fix, the problem I am dealing with surfaces intermittently and therefore, could seem to be alleviated for weeks and then resurface with a vengeance. So I will not know if I'm in the clear, so as to sink money into other needed repairs.


Yet a Further Update - Dealer again called today to say still showing no battery/electrical issue and conformed there were NO error codes revealed. I asked him to check for messages in the info screen. He put me on hold to ask the tech. Came back and said there is an "engine misfire" message, which he believes could cause all the symptoms I have described, as the engine is actually stalling, ever so briefly. He then suggested that maybe there could be water in the gas and asked me if I fill up at one or more locations as a general matter. He said recently he had an Acura towed after it would start from a local "off-brand" gas station and they determined the tank was loaded with water. Repair bill was paid by gas station. Dealer rep went so far as saying given nothing else showing up in error codes, he feels strongly it is water in the gas. Still, I have to decide whether to put two new tires on the car and at minimum, repair the transmission fluid leak in left rear axle, which will cost me a pretty penny on a hunch that it water in the gas. And as my battery is over 4 years old, probably would do that as well, which perhaps is also/solely to blame, notwithstanding what the Acura tests are showing. They will continue checking battery/electrical until tomorrow, when I have to make a decision, assuming they continue to find nothing... Thanks for listening.

 

Further - Further Update - Dealer called this morning to say that after two days of the TL sitting in the shop the battery readings finally showed low voltage. Thus, they now feel battery is to blame. So will replace battery. Unfortunately, I desparately need two new rear tires, which unbeknownst to me were balled on the inner tread down to the belt and seem to indicate an alignment issue - - although tires were nearing the end of typical lifespan. Especially given I need inspection renewal, have to do tires now.Otherwise would wait to see if the new battery addresses the electrical demons. I am also waiting on the rear axle fluid leak for a couple of weeks to see if I'm "in the clear", as they confirmed just keep an eye on the fluid level in the interim. Sooooooo,thoiboi - - it looks like you may be right on the battery - - although not sorry I brought it to the dealer first, especially given the other issues noted. Further, the $149.00 diagnostic fee has been "waived" given I am doing tires, battery and alignment. I will report back in a couple of weeks, hopefully with good news, or earlier if the electrical demons make an appearance - - PLEASE NO! Thanks again.

 

Wow, what an ordeal. Thank you for sharing your experience. I just picked up a 2012 TL and I'm trying to learn all the quirks for if/when something happens.