Is there a relay diagram available that’s more descriptive than the little icons printed on the inside of the fuse box cover? I have googled it and come up with lots of info on older models but not on the 4G. I am trying to determine which relays are related to the fuel pump specifically. Tech at the dealership told me there are two but didn’t say which ones are fuel pump. Thanks

 

Wow no replies? I am actually not surprised because the relay info seems to be hidden treasure. I say that because I have scoured the sticky’s and spent hours trying to find this info on the relays via google search. There is plenty on the fuses but nothing that shows what the relays are for the 4G TL. Most of the diagrams show the relays but no labeling - only for the fuses. If someone has the factory service manual could they take a peek and let me know....thanks

 

Ok I found the relay for the fuel pump. It’s in the driver side fuse box under the dash. It’s almost directly behind the release knob for the hood. It’s a blue casing and I think it says Mitsuba. Looks like a tough job to pull that one out!

The history is that I am experiencing symptoms lately where the car seems fuel starved at times. Sometimes when I start it and first start moving it feels like there’s not enough fuel. It’s not throwing codes and it’s not misfiring but just feels sluggish...like it wants to go but it doesn’t have the juice.

Then it smooths out in a minute or two.

I know this could be a lot of different things but it just got spark plugs, timing belt, water pump, alternator, new battery.

All done by Acura. They also did a snapshot of tranny and said it looks perfect. In fact the car was at the dealer a week getting all that done so they checked a lot of things. But they thought perhaps the new alternator would solve the issue above and didn’t want to throw in the kitchen sink - the bill was big enough as is. Baby steps.

The tech did suggest it could be a failing fuel pump but thinks it’s prudent to replace the fuel pump relay as a first step since it’s inexpensive if the problem continued. Then go on to fuel pump as needed.

I have read that Honda fuel pumps are pretty reliable though and it’s rare for them to fail. I do have 100k miles however. The fuel pump relays can fail of course and that does seem to be more common. Hence my current train of thought.

I thought about getting a professional fuel system/injector cleaning too. I already cleaned the MAF sensory myself.

Thoughts?

 

There is a factory SM linked in this forum. Search and you shall find.

BTW: you didn't mention what year and model TL you have.
2009-2011 are slightly different form 2012-2014 as is the FWD & SHAWD.

 

Thanks - I did find one link to the 2012 TL manual on this site. Maybe not the official site link but posted by a user. I couldn’t get it to ever download though from Dropbox. Supposedly 6000 pages. Perhaps the official link will be better or using a laptop vs an iPad would help. I do have a fast fiber connection so that’s not the issue.

Anyway it’s a 2012 TL Base. I’ve read a lot of posts about weird starting issues but almost all of them end with no solution as I recall. The issue is not a showstopper but more of a nuisance and also a concern because you get the feeling it may leave you stranded at some point if it degrades any further.

I am bad about running the fuel level down to where the low fuel light comes on. Always have done that. I’ve heard on one hand that this really has no effect on the pump or the injectors unless you run it completely out of gas and then the pump can overheat. Others say that doing that sucks the crud out of the tank bottom but that’s also been dispelled as a myth since the pump always sucks fuel from the bottom anyway.

I've never run out of fuel but still wonder if running it low before the next refill has perhaps contributed to this issue.

So yeah I’m all over the place in my theories on this issue. Relay? Fuel pump? Other sensor? Dirty injectors? IDK

 

check and see how many CCA's your battery is putting out first. Next check your fuel pressure level and see if it's good. The SH-AWD TL's have had fuel pumps replaced due to lack of pressure but I haven't seen anything on the 3.5L engines.

 

Brand new Acura battery and alternator in the past 2 weeks so I assume I can cross those off. I guess next step is a pressure check- thanks