SmokenTL420

My family has been driving Acura since 86. Now I finally have my own. 98 TL 3.2, got it on Ebay for 1650. Has 220,XXX, exterior and interior are in good shape 8/10. The trans is a little jerky going from 1st to 2nd. Still has good power of the line though. The front end alignment is pretty bad, check engine light is on. A/C doesn't seem to work. Oh yeah and D4 light doesn't work, big shock there! Will be adding pics as I upgrade. Any tips or ideas for what I should do first? Thanks and get used to seeing me here!

tmnhs81

Congrats!! Post pics when you can. Sounds like a good deal. I am looking for one, too (again).. 3.2 is hard to find. Good luck modding. Browse thru pics gallery for more ideas..

SmokenTL420

Thanks, I'm def. going to update the gauges. Anyone know what I need to do? I'm not the most car savy person, but I think something like that I can handle.

DUECEON9ER

Cool I'd say fix the A/C. My front alignment was horrible, here's the list and still going did steering rack, lower ball joints, steering rack bushings and now inner and outer tie rods next will be sway bar links and cv axles. First things first when I first joined I did the tranny drain and fill and tranny filter replacement only acura parts. Then I did the differential drain and fill it was in need desperately. Also changed out all cooling systems items: lower hose, upper hose, thermostat, coolant, radiator and cap. Changed valve covers as they were leaking. Did timing belt, water pump, and idler pulley. Changed a/c idler pulley bearing. Installed new battery. Changed fuel pump, filter, and main relay. Removed intake manifold and installed new gaskets all around with clearing of egr passages (no check engine light now also better fuel economy). Changed out old rotors and brake pads as there was nothing left. Next is bearings on the alternator, Type II calipers, and hopefully custom catback and new leather interior that's in desperate need of.

SmokenTL420

how much have you spent in total on front end alignment? Great tips! A/C will be last for me since I live in Pittsburgh,PA and its coming up on winter here. I'm going to a friend who's a mechanic to have the work done so hopefully I'll learn a few things. Tranny drain is the first thing I'm doing tomorrow morning!

DUECEON9ER

Oh yeah I forgot to list power steering pump twice $300 each. Rebuilt steering rack about $350. Tie rods haven't installed yet $120. Lower ball joints were only $20 at Napa plus installation about another $60 including new cv boots. Eventually gonna do the upper control arms as well but the whole unit not just the upper ball joint.

SmokenTL420

Forgot to add that the automatic lock on the drivers door doesn't work. Have to use the key to lock the drivers door, but all other doors work off automatic lock. Anyone know how I can fix this? It seems like it sticks or something.

9632tl

I wouldn't recommend the balljoints from NAPA. I put one in a few months ago, and its torn already. You get what you pay for

DUECEON9ER

That's because you use honda dust boots not the napa ones those suck otherwise the ball joints on mine are holding up great.

SmokenTL420

Tranny flush went well. Running a lot smoother from first to second. Front end alignment tomorrow. Hopefully I don't have to replace to many parts.

tmnhs81

How dirty was the fluid? Go to firestone and get a lifetime alignment deal (if they still have it) Totally worth it.

SmokenTL420

It was one of the worst smells I have ever smelled. Pretty nasty too. I found a guy in the area that only works on honda and acura's so I think I'm going to go there. Took the car to my local guy today and he recommended I see the specialist. He changed all fluids oil etc. He said the problem I was feeling with the tranny was the mounts. Looks like I'm going to need to replace both mounts now! Anyone know what I should expect to pay for this? Also looks like the left front ball joint will need replaced as well. The pads and rotors are a few months off, but any recommendations are welcomed. All in all for how many miles the car has its in damn good shape. Oh yeah front left wheel well lining is missing, def. need to get this before winter hits. BEST NEWS OF ALL THOUGH IS THAT THE STARTER HAD BEEN REPLACED IN THE LAST 40,000 MILES!

SmokenTL420

Also problem with AC is the tensioner pulley. I'm having a hard time finding it online. Can anyone tell me where I can find one?

meazz1

Is this what are you looking for?
O'Riely's got it, I bought mine from them. Dealer also sells it for the same price.

http://www.autopartsworld.com/result...universal:0%29

SmokenTL420

thats what I need the one that is on there is locked up. I need it for a 3.2TL though. Would you recommend just having the dealership install it or are they gonna beat me over the head with installation cost?

SmokenTL420

Has anyone had to change the tranny mounts?

Go90go

The tensioner is easy to install, just take a little patience.

As for the rear tranny mount, yes, I've done it. The exhaust comes off the Y, but you don't have to remove the whole thing. Just push it out of the way, and if you need to unhook the mounts behind the cat, then go for it. After that, the heat shields come out and you'll see the mount. It helps to have a small jack to push up on the tranny to relieve some of the pressure on the mount and make it easier to unbolt.

~Cheers~

SmokenTL420

The car kind of jerks between first and second. Slight jerk from 2nd to 3rd. Thats why mechanic said its most likely the mounts. Is this similiar to what was happening to you go90go?

Go90go

I need to change it again to a solid mount because after remaking the original one, I destroyed it again, haha. I think something similar could be happening, but I don't really pay much attention to it.

~Cheers~

SmokenTL420

Made an attempt today to hook up my midrange dome speakers to my after market headunit today. Bought the 8 ohm resistors, took out headunit, found blue connector for speakers annnd thats about it. I have no idea how to do it right so I'm taking it to an audio shop. On the plus side I found a left front inner wheel liner today, just have to take a 3 hour drive to get it. Thinking I'm gonna tint it out in a few weeks. My fiance on the other hand is sick of hearing about the car already!

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

you are so close!!!

if you found the blue connector and have the resistors... it is just tapping that line into the front speakers... look on the harness that connects to the radio...

here are the wire colors...

Front Speakers 5 1/4" Doors

Left Front (+) Blue/Green
Left Front (-) Gray/Black

Right Front (+) Red/Green
Right Front (-) Brown/Black

let us know where you are stuck...

pro_found973.2TL

SmokenTL420

how do I attach the wires to the resistor?

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

you can cut off the blue plug... strip a bit of insulation off the wire to expose the wire... then just twist one side of the resistor onto that wire... and then tap the other side of the resistor into the speaker wires i posted above...

Art or anyone else want to chime in?

SmokenTL420

I was trying to fall asleep last night and it all came to me. Had it done and done in 5 minutes! Thanks for your help Andrew

SmokenTL420

Just got done stripping the paint off the shifter plate. Looks soooo much better chromed out! Really easy to do too.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

see how worthwhile DIYs are... our cars aren't super hard to work on... me thinks some of the newer ones are..

Go90go

I will agree. After removing 40 clips to get to the headlights of an IS, I was very thankful that we don't have to deal with that.

~Cheers~

SmokenTL420

I think I'm going to take the resonator off next.