Last August I had a problem that my car wouldn't start. The mechanic said it was because my battery was bad (it was the original). According to him the CPU in the car needs full voltage to control things, and although there was plenty of voltage to continuosly turn the starter the other electronics weren't functioning.
Now (the last two months) about once or twice a week when I leave work (4PM, outside temp 85 to 95) the car will either not catch, or sometimes barely catch but die within a half second. If I then leave it for about 20-30 minutes it will start. I'm thinking maybe a fuel pump type of problem that is marginal and only happens in warm/hot weather (but never happens when I have been driving and shut it down for a few minutes (like refueling, or got home and forgot to pick something up at the store or after stopping at a store) when one would think the engine etc. would be at it's hottest. Everything else is great, acceleration, mileage, etc. Anybody else seen something like this?? Tks. Ed

 

I have the same problem currently..
My 01 CLS is on my driveway not starting..
Everything is fully powered.. the starter is going.. the engine tries to start but starter just turning.. i check the engine everything seems fine.. i was wondering if it's the gas.. gas is on half tank.. the car is acting up lately.
It happens like every couple weeks.. or every week.
so if anyone can help.. is it possible the Idle valve is going bad?..

 

does anyone know what can cause the CLS to not start?.. the engine tries to start.. power is full.. Can it be the Gas fiter or pump?.. Spark Plugs?..

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189770


Sounds like you're having the same problems as me.


The next time it won't start, take the gas cap off and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then try to start it.

And before you start it, turn the key to the ON position for a few seconds to let your fuel pump run, then try to start it.


This has worked the last two times I've had this problem. Good luck.

 

the problem is wierd.. i just leave the car there and it always starts after a couple mins to an hour.. did you try to see if it was the PGM-FI Main Relay Circuit that was mention by the other member on the other forum u posted?..
This morning i cleaned the Throttle Body and check the spark plugs.. plugs seems fine and the TB was dirty but i cleaned it.. if problem occurs again.. i would try the gas cap.. this problem is pissin me off.. i'm about to get rid of the car..

 

No, I just saw his post this morning so I haven't got to look into yet. I'm gonna do a few searches on here and see what I come up with.


Oh by the way that thread I posted is on the Second Gen CL Discussion page, not another forum...

 

Lots of good info on THIS page. Especially post #23.


I may try to re-solder the relay myself since it seems to be nothing more than a cracked solder joint. I figure it's worth a try if I can save $50.

 

oh ok.. well tell me how it goes when u do that soldering to the relay..
I just noticed that the problem of starting the car was when the car is in the sunlight.. which is pretty hot out.. i never had this problem during the night..
is it possible for this to happen?.. this problem is wierd.. just let me know when u try to fix it..

 

Yes, mine only does it when it's on a blacktop parking lot in direct sunlight and the temperature is around 90 degrees. It sounds like we're having the same exact problem.


It seems like a pretty common problem, since there is a lot of thread about it on here when you do a search.

I'll do a quick write-up when I get around to doing this.

 

And since the Relay Circuit is located inside the car, make sure you open the car windows/doors to let the inside cool down. Then try to start it.

It seems like when it heats up inside the car, all of that heat makes the relay malfunction.

 

yeah.. we got the same exact problem.. if it's the soldering.. it's a easy fix according to the thread u sent me.. good thing i'm on vacation this week.. i have time to check the relay.. if it's the problem.. it's going to take alot of weight off my back.. i hate this problem..
later i'm going to see where the box is located and see if it's hard to remove.. if you do it before me.. just let me know..

 

Sounds good. I don't know when I'll get the chance to look at mine, but if you fix your's before me post some pics if you can and I'll do the same.


Good luck

 

I just went to take a look at things under there.. i have no clue which one is the PGM-FI relay.. i'm lookin for whats stated to be next to the brake switch underneath the dash.. i'm going to check the forums to see where it is..

 

lol, the same thing happened to my 01 cls today, went to start it, around 4 p.m., hot miami weather ( 90+), did not start, went inside all pissed, came out about 10 - 15 mins later, started with no hesitation, and worked the rest of the day....

 

I got a chance to look for it too and eventually found it.

If you push the brake and see where it disconnects from that little switch, it will be just to the left of that (toward the driver-side door). It is a little black box with a 7-wire harness coming out of it. The easiest way to spot it is the numbers on the black box. You will see numbers 1-8, but no 4. Use a flashlight, 'cause the numbers are hard to see.


I didn't have time to take it out, but if I get a chance tonight I'll at least take a pic of it to show you where it is. And if I have enough time I may take it out and try to solder on it tonight. I'll create a DIY when I get the chance.

I'm at work now so I can't do anything with it, but check back for an update tomorrow.

 

i found a gray box that matches the description... on the left of the brake switch.. it's with num 1-8 and i think 4 is missing.. If its grey.. is there a chance the owners before me changed it?..
i might go to the acura dealer in a lil bit to buy the part.. might as well.. and i'll look at cars when i'm there.. wonder how much they will take my CL-S for with almost 65k miles..

 

It could be different because you have a CL-S and I have a CL. I would assume it's the same part though, but I'm not sure.

 

And read this post before you buy anything. It may or may not save you some money.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...9&postcount=23


Let me know what you end up doing. And if you buy a part, let me know what you pay.

Thanks.

 

oh ok.. i might go to honda to see if they have the part.. if not i have to drive to NJ to acura bc the area in NY i'm in doesn't have an acura dealer.. enjoy your day.. i'm going out to then to the dealer..

 

Cool, good luck

 

after reading the bulletin u sent early.. can it be the "heat Soak" problem from acura?..
http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B01-001.PDF..

 

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but I'm having the same issues with 01 CL. I changed the fuel pump relay but I still have problems starting.

 

Fwiw I drive my cls everywhere with no mercy, and I am a service technician. So I start the car easily ten maybe fifteen times a day and don't have a problem under any condition

I will say I had a similar problem to my previous car.. When the fuel heated up and I turned the car off it would not wanna start until I let it cool down. No matter what, even in the winter after it got hot... Same issue.

What was happening was the fuel was either vaporizing in the lines before it got to the engine or the fuel was stuck under a vacume due to something in the gas tank/evap system not working correctly.

It's likely a fuel related issue, and u say it only happens when it's hot out? Or when the motor is fully heated up?

My money is on a fuel issue

 

No, it happens in the cold or heat. Doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

EDIT: Sorry guys, just read the beginning of the thread and didn't realize it was so old. Since you already replaced the relay board by advice isn't very helpful here!