Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • armandarmand Member Posts: 178
    I have an 04 and have been diving cars for over 50 years and do push cars. It isn't the best car I have ever owned but it is a very good one and probably the best value in its class by far. Appreciate what you have.
  • ggesqggesq Member Posts: 701
    Sorry to hear about all your problems. Are you planning on getting rid of it soon? Sounds like you should!

    Gotta ask--- Did you test drive your car prior to getting it? Reason I ask is that the majority of your issues w/ the TL might have been prevented with a good long test drive. Some of the things you should have discovered with your vehicle during a test drive are the road noise, no MP3 player, and the driving dynamics of the TL that you complain about.

    The tone of your post suggests that you consider yourself a performance enthusiast. Why get the FWD TL then?

    The tires on the TL are performance tires. Agree with you that the stock tires are crap but don't expect too much out of any replacements either. This is normal for vehicles w/ performance tires on them.

    Water falling in when the window opens?? I think that happens to any car doesn't it?

    Tan leather getting dirty? Dude, it's a light color. Try to be more careful and clean the interior quicker? I use Lexol- maybe it can help w/ your situation.

    How does brake dust get into the INSIDE of your car?

    What does being a nincompoop have to do with loving one's car?

    Lastly, Lexus makes fine vehicles. However, I respectfully disagree that it is way more bang for the buck when comparing a TL to a IS or ES.

    Just my .02
  • ontopontop Member Posts: 279
    He's a troll.

    Don't worry about it. My TL is a great car, but I have no illusions that its perfect. I've owned Volvos, a Caddy, 2 BMWs, 2 Hondas, 2 Nissans.....and within a few degrees of separation - they're ALL THE SAME !!!!!!!!
  • drcohendrcohen Member Posts: 20
    Good Day All,
    Well the So. Bay Acura service advisor called yesterday with a bit of GOOD NEWS.

    They found the problem causing my battery drain...... Are You Ready?....
    DRUM ROLL PLEASE......... It's the HANDS FREE MODULE.......Yes the Blue Tooth device that I have yet to use.
    It was remaining open 24/7 and after being parked for 7+ days, the battery drained enough to loose the capacity to turn the car over. They ordered the module overnight and will keep the car over the weekend.

    I went to the dealer, and there is my TL, with the bottom of the steering wheel side of the dash with no panels, the panels (metal look) running on the center counsel on both sides removed, the trunk pass thru opened, trunk in a state of disarray, etc. hand prints on the door foot rails…
    Enough to make a grown man cry…..Now I have TWO concerns, that they really fixed the battery drain and that the removal of all these panels, etc. will not create rattles and noises, etc.
    I’ve always been concerned with the dealer taking things apart instead of yours truly. And with all the messages here regarding various noises, “creaking sounds”, “vibrations”, et all, its enough.

    I will have some comments later concerning the loaner TL 2006 (4600 miles) vs. my 2005 TL. I sense some engine / body dynamics differences, a longer drive may help sort all that out.

    David
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Good luck! I too would be more than a bit nervous about all those panels being pulled apart. That's the main reason I almost never ask a dealer to try to find and fix a rattle/squeak. :cry:
  • drcohendrcohen Member Posts: 20
    bodble2,
    I would not either, but my problem was much more serious than a squeak or a rattle. I'll hope for the best.
  • prigglypriggly Member Posts: 642
    It’s unfortunate that GM / Chevrolet have been so marginalized by the general buying public. Much of it GM’s fault in the past and some part solely on current public / media perception.

    What is equally unfortunate is the public's failure to perceive that the cars GM is now building are in no way comparable to those built in the '80's and '90's. The present offerings are in my opinion world class and easily comparable to the offerings of both the Germans and the Japanese in overall quality. Judging from my extremely positive experiences with my new SS I suspect GM's fortunes would change substantially for the better once the word gets out on the quality of present offerings.

    I had considered the TL in my buying decision but although I really loved the car I was put off by the many tales of harmonic vibrations, pulling of the wheel to the left or right, miscellaneous electrical glitches such as the one you are experiencing, accounts of prematurely aging and cracking leather seats, fading dashes, etc., etc., etc. that I decided that discretion being the better part of valor I would opt for the Impala SS and am very glad I did.

    I wish you every success in tracking down and eliminating your particular electrical gremlin.
  • ggesqggesq Member Posts: 701
    "What is equally unfortunate is the public's failure to perceive that the cars GM is now building are in no way comparable to those built in the '80's and '90's."

    I don't want to venture too far off topic since this is a TL forum but I just wanted to tell you my personal experience with my GM product. I leased a 2000 Tahoe (new style) for 4 years. My Tahoe would stall when I turned on the AC during a cold start. A few times I almost got hit by oncoming traffic because the truck would just give out while merging out onto a main road. Needless to say- it was a huge safety concern. I took it into the dealer many times for this issue and they couldn't duplicate it. :sick: When my lease was up I was compelled to give it back. The stalling problems happened early too, not at 100k miles.

    I eventually bought a Sequoia and with 39k trouble free miles- I am confident that my wife is safe while driving it. Although I do miss the power and torque in the Tahoe the Sequoia is great.

    Too bad that you based your decision on not buying a TL on what you hear in these and other forums.

    One thing is for certain- the ONLY issue I have with my 05 TL was a blotchy looking dash which was rectified with some Lexol protectant. Other than that, my TL has 19k trouble free miles with no harmonic vibration, pulling of the wheel to the left or right, electronic glitches, leather seats are fine and any other TSB listed with this vehicle. I can live with that and know that my Honda product will last me for a very long time.

    Hope you have better luck with your GM product!
  • fastfredfastfred Member Posts: 31
    I have noticed when I accelerate hard from a dead stop I feel a clunk in the drive line. I noticed some rusty fluid leaking from the top passenger side motor mount. I had my wife put the car in drive, hold the brake and give it a little gas. The engine raised up and the rubber system appeared to have little effect on holding the passenger side of the engine down. I too a look at the mounts under the transmission they appear to be entact. I see that the fore and aft vibration mounts have a vacuum system in them. I took the hose off the control valve and sucked on it, the vibration mounts did not leak..
    Is this a bad engine mount, the acura parts fische call it a rubber assemby cost 69.22. Anybody got any comments or experience
  • lroth1lroth1 Member Posts: 1
    I would appreciate some advice: I have a 1999 Acura TL 3.2 with 113,000 miles. The shop says I have the following issues: (1) all 3 engine mounts need to be replaced; (2) Trouble Code P1739 - 3rd Clutch problem; (3) Trouble Code P0740 - Converter Clutch System problem.

    Can anyone tell me what this all means? What should this cost to fix? Is it worth fixing? What is involved in fixing this...?

    Thank you for the help! Lance
  • fastfredfastfred Member Posts: 31
    The Trans has a special warranty, I believe it is 7 yrs 100k miles. I am trying to figure out what is going on with the motor mounts, how to inspect and what the symptons are.. There are 5 things that could be considered motor mounts on this car as I see it.. Looking for some expertise also.

    Fred
  • sas099sas099 Member Posts: 13
    Can anyone offer any remedies for removing interior scratches? I have 06 TL with ebony interior and I have scratches where the seat belt hits the side. Also, using a swifter duster I scratched my dashboard. I can't believe this happened with a swifter duster. Anyway, I have a six inch scratch. I have seen some people suggest Black Magic Protectant and 303 Aerospace Protectant.

    Does anyone know if one of these products will fix the scratches or can someone recommend something else. I've only had the car three weeks and it makes me sick to see these scratches.

    Thanks!
  • tomzieglertomziegler Member Posts: 14
    My TL is about 4 months old. My power outlets use to work but neither work right now. Is there a fuse (I looked in the manual and it didn't give me a power outlet option) I should check or is there something simple I am missing to get power back on?

    Please help as I miss my SIRIUS radio!

    Thanks
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    You know, now that you mentioned it, I don't think my outlets work either. The only thing I ever use the outlets for is a portable tire pump. Shortly after I bought my car, I tried to use it, but it didn't work. I just thought the pump was shot, or it wasn't compatible with the outlet. I didn't follow up on it 'cause I had bought a new rechargeable, cordless pump.
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Not 100% but since Acura calls the power outlets ACCESSORY POWER OUTLETS - its worth a try.

    Open hood - take off fuse cover - take the little white fuse puller - take cover off inside fuse box - pull fuse #9 marked accessory - its the 15 amp one located third from the right on the bottom.

    If its blown then this is your problem. If not happy hunting!
  • tomzieglertomziegler Member Posts: 14
    I did replace the fuse there and got the power outlet for the one under the arm rest. The one under the radio does not work. The radio does work. Any idea what fuse that might be?

    Thanks
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Again - I am just guessing -

    Since the ACCESSORY SOCKET is a 15 amp fuse I would try (interior fuse box) #4 LAF 15 amp - its right next to the radio fuse & the power outlet is right under the radio.

    Could it be that simple?

    If that's not it - I would try some other 15 amp fuses - #18 IGI ACG looks like a good second choice.
  • soriano33soriano33 Member Posts: 2
    My alarm system on my Acura TL 3.2, 1998 went sounded for no reason. The dealer replaced the actuator. A few weeks later the alarm sounded again. The dealer said they can't do anything unless it goes on when the car is in the dealer shop. On the day I picked up the car when the actuator was replaced I could not set the alarm as the red blinking light would not come on. The service advisor opened and closed the hood and then I was able to activate the alarm. I become suspicious that the hood and not the actuator was the problem. The dealer does not think the hood is the problem. Anybody experience this problem?
  • drcohendrcohen Member Posts: 20
    I picked my TL last night. Everything seems fine so far. I did have an idling issue when I left the dealer, which was corrected upon my quick return. The mechanic admitted not resetting the idle (some procedure when the electronics are tampered with) before handing it back to his customer. Okay, he was honest, fair enough.

    My only other annoyance is that the driver’s seat was not properly cleaned. One does not need to be a detective to realize what area of the dash they were working on. And no, their seat covers would not have prevented it. I cleaned it myself, thank you.

    They showed me the schematic, the documented results of each test. At this dealer location, this was the first time this problem had reared its ugly head. The mechanic has contact with other dealers, as well they should.

    So far, their removal of certain dash and center console items has not created any new squeaks and /or rattles. Time will tell if this or for that matter the battery drain is now history.
    It took a total of 8 full days for this service call

    My 5 day business trip to Dallas in Nov. may not be enough for a real test, (this of course provides a perfect opportunity for the family to plan a longer vacation, yeah right….tell that to my wife).

    Overall, I’m satisfied with their service, courtesy and they did provide a free corporate car for me to drive (it should have been an RL).

    Davdi
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    If any of the doors, the trunk, or the hood is not closed completely, then you can only lock the doors, but not arm the alarm. When that happens, the red LED would not flash, nor would you get the parking light flash confirmation. Is your hood perfectly aligned, and latches firmly? Perhaps it is just "off" enough so that the alarm sounds randomly, and affects the arming?
  • soriano33soriano33 Member Posts: 2
    Thank you for your reply. The issue of hood closure, latch, etc. is certainly my suspicion as to the source of the intermittent sounding of the alarm.
  • buyer777buyer777 Member Posts: 70
    I scratched up my rim, any product that can help?
    What do you use to clean and polish the rims?
    Thx
  • tedescm1tedescm1 Member Posts: 309
    The dealer scratched my rims when they replaced my defective tires. They had them touched up and now they look good as new
  • bz2bz2 Member Posts: 15
    I bought and drove my new tl home last saturday and on wednesday deep scratched my front passenger wheel when parking near a curb (bummer there is no tire protection with these low profile tires at all!). Having ipod adapter installed at dealer this AM and buying a "new OE take-off" rim from a new car they put chrome wheels on for $140 plus install. Will be back to new and my wife doesn't even know! . Side note, it's fairly easy to find new no mileage OE rims on ebay for around $125 plus S&S.
  • bz2bz2 Member Posts: 15
    Noticed in my new 06 tl that when driver window is all the way down and you close the door it rattles. Mentioned to dealer this AM and he said it has been a standard problem with no solution from Acura/honda since the 04's? Is this really true? If so I am very surprised and disappointed for a $36k car
  • bz2bz2 Member Posts: 15
    Having it installed this AM and I plan to use with 20GB ipod. Anything I should know? good or bad news welcome
    thx
  • ggesqggesq Member Posts: 701
    bz2,

    There is a TSB for 04-06 TL's with windows that binds, scrapes or changes direction. Are you experiencing any of these problems as well or just the rattle?
  • bz2bz2 Member Posts: 15
    no mine is fine except for rattle when all the way down and closing door :(
  • animalsrushanimalsrush Member Posts: 62
    That is exactly what the dealer told me also. That used to happen to my Old Honda and after few years the guide was ebnt and it cost ne $500 to replace. The loaner TL i had from them didn't rattle. I am thinking of taking it to another dealer later.. For now i cringe everytime i close the door
  • jcorbett4jcorbett4 Member Posts: 2
    Can anyone tell me how to turn of the tire pressure alert on
    my 06 TL. I don't trust my local dealer to fix the problem.
    I checked the actual tire pressures and they are Ok.
  • kennyg8kennyg8 Member Posts: 225
    The TPMS is only available on 06 TLs. I believe it operates automatically in that it will notify you if any of the tire's pressure is low. If you need to proactively check the air pressure, go to the information center and toggle to tire pressure to view exactly what your tire pressure is.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Well, just close the window before you shut the door. ;)
  • cancel99cancel99 Member Posts: 4
    i have a 2002 Tl 3.2 with about 105K and i love this car. i recently inserted a cd into the changer unknowing that it was already full and it took the cd in. needless to stay it jammed everything. any suggestion on how to get the whole unit out (i don't have a clue hoe to remove the facia) so i can try to work on it. if need be i'll sacrific the cd's to save the unit. also in case i kill the unit any suggestions on where i can get a replacement at a decent price - ebay has none (at this time).
    thanks in advance for any suggestions made.
    mitch

    ps - this is a great forum, made so by its participants
  • bz2bz2 Member Posts: 15
    Update...

    got car back from the dealer with cable installed and after a couple hours of screwing around with the acura software with itunes software and playing button guessing games with radio/nav I figured it out and it is awsome. I have nav and would have preferred song and album names listed on screen versus voice for each but it will work just fine. I now have access to the 5000 songs on my ipod via my great sounding 06 TL stereo! :)
  • jcorbett4jcorbett4 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks I have done that and tire pressures listed are Ok.
    I just need some help in turning off the damn Tire Pressure
    Alert warning light.
  • murkymurky Member Posts: 9
    Recently took my '06 TL in to dealership because I noticed the paint was crackling/flaking on the hood (about the size of a quarter). :cry: Last time I got my oil changed the service manager thought it looked like a paint defect. Regional service manager looked at it and determined that the problem was caused by bird droppings. He said the bird droppings are particularly harsh this year due to the sudden change from spring to summer (have no idea if this is true but that is what he said).

    Of course I know that bird droppings are not good for car paint, so any time I have ever noticed any I have immediately washed it off. I am very particular about the car, even so much so that I keep a bottle of water and clean cloth in the car should I notice any bird "presents". Any bird droppings would not have been there any longer than 12 hours.

    Does anyone think that this is acceptable? My husband drives an '99 truck and has had plenty of bird droppings this summer, but yet his paint is perfect.

    The dealership has agreed to repaint the hood (never thought I would have to repaint my hood for bird droppings), but said that they are doing so as a courtesy to me and my husband, and that the next time it happens we will be responsible. I am completely appreciative that they are repainting the hood (even though I would rather not have paint work done on a car that is less than 5 months old), but if the paint is that weak, then it should be Acura's problem and not mine!

    Please tell let me know any thoughts. Not sure if I'm overreacting but I'm just not happy with the "weak" paint on my car. Please help! :confuse:
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Hmmm...a car dealer being an expert on bird crap. And I'd thought they only knew bull sh**! ;) :P

    I had a big glob of bird crap land on my hood last year. I wiped it off as soon as I got home, but it left behind a patch of dull paint and tiny scratches. :cry: So maybe the Acura paint is not that resistant to bird crap. :sick:

    But if the paint on your hood is flaking off, the size of a quarter, IMO, you really have no choice but to repaint it. So you're kinda lucky, in a way, that your dealer is willing to step up to the plate.
  • hkyhky Member Posts: 71
    Sounds like BS! They have problem with their paint and shift the blame to the bird but play nice to make you feel good. I had an accord back in 2000 and there are dust under the clear coat on quarter panel. I have to fight thru the american honda and regional mgr to get them finally agreed to paint it and they are along the line of being "nice" but not much apology at all.

    Bird droppings may dull paint and edge into clear coat but haven't heard such a thing.. may be they should say dumbo droppings.
  • manmountainmanmountain Member Posts: 44
    I took delivery of an 04 TL in Sept 04. Before picking the car up, the salesman (who has proven to be an honorable, decent chap over the years) noticed a paint defect on the truck - an area on an edge where the paint coverage wasn't complete - and he arranged to have it repainted before I took the car. So yes, Acura paint may be problematic from time to time. Re the bird droppings - that sounds like bs! Never heard of it before.
  • bryncerddbryncerdd Member Posts: 29
    Bird droppings, left on any paint for any length of time, may leave a slight but indelible mark on the paint. Repeated appllications of Zaino will improve the condition, but possibly never remedy it completely. But that does not account for the paint peeling. It seems to me it is much more likely that Acura has changed its paint formula than it is that birds, of whatever species, have somehow managed to change the chemical content of their droppings this season. Acura should willingly repaint a five-month old paint job that is deteriorating.

    Bryncerdd
  • tedescm1tedescm1 Member Posts: 309
    Someone mentioned that due to environmental issues, car companies are now using a water-based paint that does not hold up as well as older style oil based paints.

    If this is the case, then all the newer paints will be more problematic than previous oil based paints.
  • murkymurky Member Posts: 9
    Don't get me wrong, I am pleased that Acura repainted the hood for free, I'm just not happy that it had to be repainted. This is my first new car and I had higher expectations. I don't think any type of paint defect is acceptable, bird droppings or not. If I have any other problems with my paint, I'm definitely going to have some serious issues with Acura and will definitely have to think twice about purchasing another.

    Thanks for the comments.
  • ponderpointponderpoint Member Posts: 277
    Does anybody know if you can modify the mapping in the Navi?

    My TL was in service and they gave me an MDX loaner. The navi in the MDX had a lot more detail when you zoomed out - I was astonished and simply thought it's just something in the presets in the TL.

    When I got the TL back, I looked around in the manual for the navi but couldn't find any setting to increase the detail. Basically after "two clicks" zooming out on the TL navi, all the sidestreet/backroad detail just disappears. I live in a rural area and while driving there are actually areas where the plotter is navigating itself in blank space making it impossible to "dead reckon" towards a small town.

    I just got off the phone with Acura and they said the original vendor is Alpine. Does anybody know of any optional discs you can use with the system?
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    And speaking of discs... can we burn an update DVD and run it?

    I hate the price of updates. :surprise:

    *** Legal Notice ***

    The burned copy would be for backup purposes only, of course
    :blush:
  • ponderpointponderpoint Member Posts: 277
    No Kidding! The cost of updades seems a little out of whack - given the fact that, yes, new streets and roads do change, but they don't change that much! I run a Garmin portable unit and I actually had a Garmin rep tell me to skip a few updates - it really wasn't worth it unless you just had to positively know where that new Starbucks shop was in East Jabipsky... You know, it's the town just west of Bugtussle.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "...Starbucks shop was in East Jabipsky... You know, it's the town just west of Bugtussle."

    Well, why didn't you say so earlier. I spent hours cruising around trying to find it! :P :P ;)
  • hmerrickhmerrick Member Posts: 2
    $99.00 per rim refinishing at many Acura dealerships. Done the right way the first time
  • vin3vin3 Member Posts: 12
    I am going thru litigation against Acura for vibration in my 2004 tl any information would be helpful

    Thanks

    Vin3
  • manmountainmanmountain Member Posts: 44
    Sorry, but what is "ASPEC'?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    A-Spec
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