Acura TL 2004-2008: Why Won't My Car Start?
You go to start your Acura TL and nothing happens, don't worry because you don't have to tow it to the dealership, as we may solve your problem.
This article applies to the Acura TL (2004-2008).
A non-starting Acura TL is an inconvenient situation to face. The dealership could charge you over a hundred dollars just to tell you what is wrong with your car. There are various components that can go wrong that would cause your Acura to not start. Most of the time, a non-starting vehicle is caused by a simple part that has gone wrong, so before getting too intimidated, read the instructions below, we will show you how to diagnose your Acura TL. You may end up solving the whole issue without spending too much money.
Materials Needed
- Socket
- long screwdriver
- Voltmeter
Step 1 – Check battery
It could be dead.
The battery is one of the most common causes to a non-starting car. The battery is in charge of the electrical components in your car, so if you leave anything electrical on, you could have drained the battery. Most of the time the battery can be recharged; however, if the battery's lifespan is done, it will start to not hold charge. If you go to start your car and you hear a clicking noise, this means your battery is dead and the clicking noise is your starter trying to start, but there is no current to turn the car over.
Charge the battery, then test it with a voltmeter, a healthy battery will read 12.6 volts. If the battery loses voltage without even using it, then you need a new battery. If the battery dies when you drive the car, make sure the alternator is in a good condition. If the alternator goes bad, the battery won't recharge. The best way to check the alternator is to disconnect the negative (black) battery terminal with the car on, if the car stalls, then the alternator is bad.
If the battery is good, proceed to Step 2.
(Related Article: How to Replace Battery - AcuraZine.com)
Step 2 – Check spark plugs
They could be damaged.
The spark plugs are what gives your car spark. As the plugs wear and age, their ability to produce spark weakens. This most commonly manifests in a misfire, but if the plugs lose spark altogether, your car won't start. Your Acura's engine uses coil-on-plug style ignition, so inspect the ignition coil as you remove it, looking for damaged wiring or burn marks. If the coil checks out, remove the plugs and inspect the electrode; if the tip is bright white, pitch black or damaged in general, they require replacement. Acura says the service interval is 105,000 miles along with the timing belt and a bunch of other items, but not all plugs are created equal. Considering how cheap plugs are, and how easy they are to service, consider replacing them more frequently.
Note
If the electrode on your spark plug is bright white, it means that your engine's Air-to-fuel Ratio (AFR) is lean (numerically too high). If the electrode is pitch black, it means your AFR is too rich (numerically low). In either case, the usual culprit are your oxygen (O2) sensors. Consider replacing them.
If the spark plugs look good, proceed to Step 3.
Related Articles
- How to Replace Ignition Coils and Spark Plugs - AcuraZine.com
- How to Replace Oxygen (O2) Sensors - AcuraZine.com
Step 3 – Check starter
It could be bad.
The starter is what cranks to start your engine. If you try to start the car, nothing happens and you don't hear any clicks, this could mean your starter is bad. But before replacing the starter, make sure to inspect its wires. The starter's wires are all exposed to the various weather conditions, so they have been known to cause starting issues. Follow the wires going in and out of the starter and look for any signs of cracks or wears. Replace any bad wires immediately. If your starter is the culprit, replace it and the car should start.
If the starter is not the issue, proceed to Step 4.
(Related Article: How to Replace Starter - AcuraZine.com)
Step 4 – Check fuel injectors
They could be dirty, clogged, or faulty.
The fuel injectors are what inject fuel into your engine. When they are dirty or clogged, they spray improper amount of fuel, which can cause the engine to not get enough fuel for the combustion process, thus not starting. The fuel injectors are located under the fuel rails, so you will have to remove the rails to inspect the injectors. Before removing the injectors, there is a way to check if they are faulty or not. Get a long screwdriver, then put the tip of it on the back of the fuel injector, start the car and listen to the other end of the screwdriver. If you hear a buzzing noise, this means your injector is working properly, but if you don't hear any noise, then your injector is bad.
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