Dasupertech

Hello All I'm new to the board but have a couple questions for you.

I have the opportunity to buy for right at 15,000 a 08 TL with 9,700 miles. The problem is that the car had a carpet flood. I believe the ECU needs to be replaced I have found a 08 unit for $215 shipped to me, along with $114 dollars to program it at the local dealer. I also imagine the Airbag SRS Module is also bad that is under the Passenger side seat.

The car does have a Salvaged title due to the flood, I have verified the engine and tranny has no water in them at all. There is no silt of any kind, the padding is still wet under the carpet, but I have a plan for that as well....The good news is that its a fresh clean water flood, that was below the dash and seat level...

What year of SRS Module will fit this 08 TL? Will an 07 ECU work in a 08 model? Are there any other control modules that are fairly low that I need to look into?

Does the price sound out of line?

Before I get all the lines of cant insure a damaged title car, in the state of Ks it is no problem at all, you get Cash value of the time of claim if its totaled, Yes I know I will get less Cash value with a Salvaged title, but I'm saving up front...

csmeance

15K is still a bit high in my opinion, 10 or 12 should be good. Numerous wire harnesses run along the sides and floor of the TL. How high did the water come up to, Below seat controls? Above seat controls?

To fix all and any damage, you would need to remove the front and rear seats, the carpeting and all panels near the carpet and inspect for any damages. Then you would have to further replace any damaged harnesses, and the SRS ones a quite a bit expensive since they have gold in them to prevent corrosion. at the tips.

Dasupertech

I plan on removing front and rear seats, Replace carpet and padding, All connectors will be opened and cleaned with a good contact cleaner, and reassembled with plenty of Dielectric grease. Usually gold Pins' and sockets hold up much better to corrosion then normal pins...

No other boxes on the floor? Is there seat control modules for the seats below the seats?

csmeance

Dassupertech, there are quite a few harnesses and connecters in the seat. If possible can you email me - csmeance@yahoo.com and I'll help you out since I cannot PM you.

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

the amplifier for the subwoofer in the car(if equip with it) is on the front passenger floor

Dasupertech

You have email, I will go to user control panel and see why I cant get Pm's...

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

you need to be a member for a few days and post a certain amount of logical posts

Dasupertech

Thanks, I wasn't finding any setting for it, so I figured as such.

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

Dasupertech - I agree with csmeance, 15k does sound a bit high for a salvaged titled car. If your looking to spend 15k max, I would go for an 04-06 clean title TL, yes there will be more miles on the car but you wont have to worry about salvaged title or anything else that comes along with buying a salvaged title vehicle. If you really want this car, Offer 12k for it and see what they say.

chuanger

IMO don't waste your money on a flooded car. It's just NOT worth it!

Dasupertech

Just for reference I have found a few other 08's with the same options for sale locally that are 26,500 to 27,500(There is only one Acura Dealer in the area). I plan on fixing it and having the wife drive it for several years then handing it down to one of the kids when they are of driving age... So we will probably drive it until it quits.

My thoughts are if I buy it cheap and drive it, I loose less money then buying a new one for 8,000 dollars more when I dont plan on selling it anytime soon...If at all.

Chuager, Its a floor flood, it got to about middle of the bottom part of the seat so probably about 5 to 6 inches, There seems to not be any issue with anything but the ECU, more then likely SRS Module, possibly the amp for the sub(If equiped? not really sure if it is or not), At minimum replace the padding behind the carpet if not the carpet as well.


As for the salvaged title issues, the only one that is really a issue around here is the selling it. The Title and inspection are very easy.

csmeance

If the ECU was damaged, the water level may have damaged a lot more such as shorting wire harnesses that are powered for the navi, radio, lighting, etc. The Driver's seat alone has about 10+ connectors for various components. Also I emailed you back.

chuanger

If you want something that is family oriented, reliable and has longevity i'd just go with an Accord. You can probably get a really nice used one for 15k +/-, probably not an 08, but maybe a few years older with a bit more miles. The Accord will last you just as long if not longer than a TL and you'll have peace of mind that it won't run into any unforeseen problems from the flood. I'm not very car savvy and wouldn't want to put up with fixing & diagnosing electrical gremlins. Good luck and I hope it works out for you

acura_dipset_tl

iTrader: (40)

yeah i would have to agree with everybody here 15k it way to much for a salvage car specially one that been in a flood and needs work. i think in the long run you might start seing problem with the car. you just never know. try to get it cheaper if you want it that bad.
But my advice is pass just whait a little longer you might be able to find one that already fixed for that price.

Just the other day i was on ebay and a guy was selling his salvage 2008 TL Type-s for i believe 19k or best offer with like 8k mile if im not mistaking and it was fully fixed with alot of exta options including back up cam. im sure he would of sold it let it go for 15k

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Just in my opinion and experience I would go for it.

My cousin bought a 06' TL salvaged and the dealership said minor flooding to carpets, just like your problem, with 40k miles and he bought it 19k out the door. 40k miles later no problems. He brought it to the Acura Dealership in Houston and did a Pre-Owned checkup which cost 1 hour of labor or $125. I would tell the dealership/person to fix up the car before he sales, check through Acura to run their 60+ point inspection for $125 and pay a little higher. Let looks at it like this: 15,000 for salvaged and 24-26k for a clean title. I don't think, I'm not sure, that it will cost over 10k to maintain a car even with the minor flooding (as long as none went to engine/transmission, and ask if they offer a limited/full warranty). Just my because I have bought salvaged cars that said "minor flooding" and some are fakes, some are the truth. I bought a 328i 2dr in 07 and it rained a little in houston 1 day and flooded, which had VERY MINOR damage to some parts under which only cost my insurance like 700$ to fix (checked for damage through BMW and 4 different shops), and they made my title as salvaged. I kept arguing several days because it lowered my resale value, canceled my warranty, etc... I just know in TX, and many other states, some or most flood vehicles were not really even flooded. Even a salvaged car that was totalled shouldn't have a HUGE problem unless of course, the engine and transmission has a problem. I dunno some may be against my opinion but I have actually experienced with a couple of salvaged cars, not only mine, but families and my first car as a 325i bmw salvaged "flood". Just make sure to send it to the dealership or trusted mechanic to run a full inspection. If it passes, get it. If it doesn't, don't.

Dasupertech

Thanks for all the great feedback, Does any one have a Service manual link or can tell me what all modules are at the ECU Level and below?

Oswald Vater

I second the posts that say "RUN AWAY" from this car. Flood-related problems can crop up at any time no matter how well the car is gone over. You will be better off spending a little more money and getting a clean, used TL.

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

i've seen certified used tl's 04-06 go for slightly more