Sometimes the car sounds like it's struggling when i go to start it

[-phase-]

i dont know if this is the right section..admins feel free to move it..

anyways, sometimes when i start the car, it seems like it is 'struggling' to start..like an older car, but not so severe..in a way it sounds weak, and doesnt sound very strong i guess? it's hard to explain, i've discussed with a fellow TSXer and he has come across the same problem..now my question is, what can be done about it?

is this what the T1R voltage stabilizer is for? what exactly does this thing do? i've seen it mounted on some pics but i have the cai installed..and where the T1R sits is the cai mount..so isnt there not enough room ontop of the battery?

please help out a confused noob!

[Noel]

Could be a faulty MAP sensor, crank, battery etc. Best to have your dealership check out what you're experiencing.

[JDMCL9T]

-Phase-, I am also having the same problem. It just seems like the car is not starting as easily as it did when I had bought the car. I already made an appointment with the dealer, I'll let you know what they say.

[TSXmike]

mine does the same thing... its probley the batt...

[JDMCL9T]

Well, I took my TSX into the dealer to have the starting problem checked out and you know what the service tech said? He said that something about the ULEV engines have that starting problem, especially the TL. He said the TL has the biggest problem with starting, much worse than then the TSX but he assured me that this is normal operation. I dunno, kinda glad I bought the extended warranty though. Better safe then sorry...

[Noel]

Don't know about you but I think that is the biggest load of crap I've heard. Just about all the current Honda engines VTEC, non-VTEC and i-VTEC are LEV or ULEV. Non of them have this so called "factory chracteristic".

[pocketkiller]

I thought it is a feature of the ULEV technology where all gas fumes are recycled back, so it takes a while to get some gas transfered by the fuel pump back into the engine

[Noel]

How would that affect cranking, starting up? My CL9 doesn't have any of such chracteristics. Neither do any of my other ULEV Hondas.

[pocketkiller]

How would that affect cranking, starting up? My CL9 doesn't have any of such chracteristics. Neither do any of my other ULEV Hondas.

I think we are looking at the problem differently. It cranks just fine, it's not battery/alternator etc, but the problem is starting up.

[houstontsx]

I went for two weeks of experiencing those problems with the starting....I put and OPTIMA yellowtop in and havent had the problem since.......you guys might wanna check that out.

[Noel]

I know what's being described. I personally have no such experiences or know anyone with those problems. So when the dealership is saying this is all part of the "normal" operation. I'm shooting them down as usual for sending BS and wrong information to their customers. Unfortunately people always will believe dealerships simply based on the fact that they sell the cars.

[Type-S Swiss]

I am glad someone brought this up as I think I also have the same issue. It actually gets worse when I leavethe car for several days - I am back from 10 days away and the car sat on a parking lot for 10 days outside. upon turning the key to start, it felt like the battery was having a real hard time. Has done that before and since some time. Now it is the winter and somewhat humid so the battery may have a hard time. If I would leave the car for say 2 or 3 weeks, I'd have doubt it would start at all...

[SAZABI]

I had the same problem since I got the car.

try adding voltage stablizer and ground wires. It helps.
But, I still get that hard start once a while... just not as frequent.

[Andynolife]

same here .. ~~ i even have my altenator replaced .. ~
CL9's battery and the engine start just give me a hard time if i leave the car for awhile ~
sthing wrong with it ... ~ groudwires might help but not much ~ ...

[PSU]

I've experienced the SAME THING! WTF!!!!!!

[-phase-]

so the overall consensus is to get groundwires + the voltage stabilizer?
how bout a better battery? will that help?

[Noel]

I'll let the dealership sort out the problem, you can perhaps recommend to them a replacement alternator, battery to address the concerns. No one should be forking out money because ... It does genuinely look like an Americas region common concern.

[bill1clinton]

I got the same thing...factory says it's normal..my buddy who is the a sales there says it's normal so I guess I can't argue with that.

[TSXTuner]

My thought is the battery is too small/weak.
This car also has higher compression ratio that other honda
motors.

Cold cranking amp rating is low on our battery.
Someone above said the optima battery solved the problem,
makes sense.

[houstontsx]

Like i said, i put an optima yellowtop in. Havent had the problem since...

[Noel]

My thought is the battery is too small/weak. This car also has higher compression ratio that other honda motors.

This is the standard battery found in just about every current Honda model on the market. Some other Hondas have higher compression ratio ala Integra Type R/S, S2000 and NSX. None of them have this problem. Also, this is not a common problem from my impression outside of the North Americas region. Much perhaps you guys get different batteries even.

[Duke]

My wife's TSX doesn't have trouble turning over, but it likes to cycle a few times before it will kick off. I was kind of surprised that a new car wouldn't light off the first piston that made it over the top.

[HondaMan]

It does sound like a CCA issue with our batteries more than anything else...what we are experiencing is a prime example of not enough CCA. However, not a big deal from what I have experienced so far.

[TSX 'R' US]

I'll see if I can get a sound clip the next time from my car...

[Akura]

Is it because of the cold weather guys? Mine has some weird electrical sound before I turn the ignition on sometimes.. told the dealer about that and nothing has been done.. seems like my dealer sucks eh?

[HondaMan]

Is it because of the cold weather guys? Mine has some weird electrical sound before I turn the ignition on sometimes.. told the dealer about that and nothing has been done.. seems like my dealer sucks eh?

Yep, the more CCA the better for cold starts.

[twizta]

well, i have a new tsx and i live in tx, so the cold weather isnt a factor. it does the same thing here (only if you keep the AC on when u turn the car off). try turning your ac off when turning the car off so that when u turn it on, it doesnt have to struggle to start the engine and the ac at the same time.

[johnej]

where in tx??

[twizta]

longview, 2 hours away from dallas, why?

[twizta]

which is a little less than 3 hours away from Watauga...

[SAZABI]

lol, who resurrect this thread?

btw, my friend has gone to dealership to complain about this "hard start"
mechanic at dealership claimed that if the car is able to start after cranking, within in 3 seconds, then it is within spec, lol.

[yf1]

I'll let the dealership sort out the problem, you can perhaps recommend to them a replacement alternator, battery to address the concerns. No one should be forking out money because ... It does genuinely look like an Americas region common concern.

Hi Noel - I have noticed this on my Aus spec CL9.

It always starts quickly but very occassionally (say once a month) it sounds different when starting. When this happens it takes a half second longer to start and sounds like it is struggling to get enough power to start. It is too infrequent to mention this to the dealer - I am sure they will say there is no problem.

[Bratee1]

I have the same problem. Taking the car in this saturday. I know what they will say. It is normal which is going to piss me off.

By the way, what is "optima yellowtop" and where can I get some?

[johnej]

Optima yellow is a car battery..

[Bratee1]

Thanks. Found it online for 129.95 and 139.95 at amazon.com. Seem to have 500 amps of cca. Wondering what the stock battery has.

[Bratee1]

I just looked at the battery - 410 cca. I mean that sounds low to me. Shouldn't this be at least 550 cca, if not more?

[Bratee1]

Read this in another forum and I thought it was prudent

"I'm not so much concerned about the CCA as I am of the overall amphour rating of the battery. The stock TSX battery seems rather diminutive in size and my suspicion of its weakness only increases when I crank a cold engine and it sounds like it struggles to turn itself over. Given the warnings in the user's manual not to run the heated seats while the engine is idling, the entire electrical system seems somewhat anemic. I would consider replacing the battery with one with a higher amphour capacity but I wonder if the alternator could handle the extra load that would come with even just trickle charging a larger battery, since it supposedly can't handle the heated seats at idle RPM."

[Bratee1]

OK everybody. Took my TSX to the dealer on this and they checked it all out. Guess what they said. You got it, no problem here. Was driving back from the dealer pissed about this. Stopped at Pepboys to get a yellowtop as suggested and then thought why should I spend $130 on this new car. So I decided to wait and ask everybodies opinion on this.

The guy at the store recommended a red top rather than a yellow top since I do not need the deep cycle, also the red top has more cca.

First question is if I get the new battery does everybody think this will solve the problem? Just something to note, I was looking at my 1995 Accord and it has a 550 cca battery. Amazing that a car with a lower compression ratio would have a bigger battery.

Second question is if there is a red top that will fit, should I go with that or stick with the 500 cca yellow top?

[houstontsx]

regardless, like i said,I bought the Yellow-top and i havent had the problem since. :cool:

[joerockt]

Yep, same thing here. But only when I've left the car sitting for a day or so.

Im guessing Panasonic (makes the stock batt) battery isnt all that great.

[Bratee1]

Thanks. By the way, talked with a friend of mine that bought a 2004 Honda Accord. Same problem and she has the 410 cca panasonic.

Wonder if we all get together and contact Acura, will they get us a new Optima yellow top battery????

Anybody up for a coordinated effort to get Acura to get us new batteries????


regardless, like i said,I bought the Yellow-top and i havent had the problem since. :cool:

[Cyde]

It's deffinatley the batery, i've been having this problem too, try checking the baterry indicator and you'll no why, my battery died in less than a year.

getting my self optima red top, but i like the blue top.

[joerockt]

It's deffinatley the batery, i've been having this problem too, try checking the baterry indicator and you'll no why, my battery died in less than a year.

getting my self optima red top, but i like the blue top.

Why do you guys think this is a problem? Your car starts dosent it?

If my battery dies after a year, im going to the dealer and requesting a new one. Thats horriable. I had an ac delco in my old Tacoma that lasted 6 years.

[NJTSXDrvr]

Same here-thought it was just cuz it is really cold here in Jersey now. Recall???

[Bratee1]

Let me know if you find the red top in the right size. I am not sure you will find it. The red top is only in one size. Big, would love to be able to use one since the cca is more than the 51 yellow top at 500 cca.

:Police: :Police: :Police:


It's deffinatley the batery, i've been having this problem too, try checking the baterry indicator and you'll no why, my battery died in less than a year.

getting my self optima red top, but i like the blue top.

[Cyde]

well that i'm not sure, i've just seen alot of accords on VAC use the redtops, so i assumed one will fit, well i still need to ask around, i'll let you know if i find one that fits, but are there specific requirment for a baterry for our cars??

I do know that having a ground wire kit helps alot imo, i'm installing a voltage stabilizer as we speak... but can' decide if I should do the rear baterry conversion?

[02-Type-S]

Having read this post previously I was thinking about this the other day (as mine turns over a few times before starting too) and wondered if this has anything to do with the spark plugs.

In the manual it specifies that the car should have iridium plugs fitted as OEM. However on my last service (25,000 miles) the Honda tech replaced them. The service sheet also says to replace the plugs unless dealing with the Civic Type-R. This leads me to think that they have just installed standard types as iridium plugs do not require changing for at least 75,000 miles (and would also have cost a fortune if they had).

This could lead to the problems experienced as iridium plugs require less voltage and will also spark at leaner AF ratios too.

Just a thought.

[thegreatpetah]

Hi,
i have had the same problems...but i came to a solution. Sometimes when you think you have the clutch all the way down when you're starting the car, you dont. Ever since that, i always press the clutch hard when i start, and i havn't had the problem since then, just something to remember, but it may not be that case.

[jsmonet]

most of the time the solutions are cake.

get a multimeter, check your battery on a cold day. is it putting out less than 12v? get a red top or yellow top.

your car will back off its fuel pressure over time. put the key in the on position without starting, listen for the fuel pump (faint whine, couple seconds). that pressurizes the fuel line. turn key to start, ... , profit.

[johnej]

Any battery can measure 12v prior to starting the car, but when cranking is when the voltage will dip....

[jsmonet]

not entirely true, but hell-measure it while cranking too. if it dips too far below 12v the starter won't even turn over.

[fraga]

Just got it back from the dealer today...they said everything was normal...so I guess it's just gonna have to struggle to start...meh...not a big deal...

[2.4DOHCiVTEC]

is it possible that it's because of the dust went into the engine through the air filter element which doesn't filter properly? then the "CARBON" adds up more & more and make the engine harder to start up?

the above is just a guessing thought

[hageemah]

Guys. I read through the TSX manual. It says something along the lines of : "sometime it'll take longer to start, but that it's just the car calculating/doing something." so basically it states in the manual that sometimes the car will take longer to start". i think it's normal.

[JeffTSX]

I should be getting SUNO's hyper grounding kit and voltage stablizer soon, I'll see if this helps

[WheaMyRyceGo]

wooo i have the same thing.... ahhah along with the 28035 other owners

[spyguy]

what is a yellow or red top?

[2005 TSX]

Well, I am going along with the general attitude here and I agree that the stock battery sucks.

The TSX at first did the normal "delayed/hesitant start" when I would start the car. That's fine...it's just the engine cycling the gases from the fuel...all part of the emissions system (see manual). I was a little worried at first, but after reading the manual, I understood that this type of start up was "normal".

But then, after a few weeks, I began to notice that if I let the car sit for a day or two (example: keeping the car in the garage over the weekend), it would take just a little bit longer to start up when compared to when I first bought the car.

Then a few weeks ago it started to get really cold around here. I came home from work on a Friday evening, let the car sit in the garage over the weekend like usual (while it snowed outside), and then tried to start the car Monday morning so that I could go back to work. The car barely cranked, but eventually the car fired up. Thinking I left the headlights or interior lights on, I let the car idle and began to look around the car to see if I left any lights on. But of course, I din't leave anything on.

Now we come to today.

I haven't used the car for at least 4 or 5 days because of weather, salt on the road, my wife and I using the Xterra to car pool together, etc. I go down stairs to the garage this morning and try to unlock the car with my keyless remote. The car just sits there, nothing happens. I unlock the door the old-fashioned way - with my key!, and then open it...no alarm, no interior lights, nothing. I put the key in steering column...no dash lights, no key-alarm beeping, nothing. I try to start the car...absolutely nothing.

This battery is completely drained!

Fortunately, since this car is brand stinkin new, I called the Acura Roadside Assistance number. It took about 5 minutes of waiting on the phone to talk to someone, but they are sending out someone to jumpstart my car. Now I just have to wait 40 minutes for them to get here. (Just wondering...Is the Acura Roadside Assistance program handled outside of the US? The woman I talked to had an Indian accent).

Anyway, I should ask Acura/Honda to reimburse me for the time I have missed from work so far.

I think today will be a good shopping day for a new battery. Acura/Honda should reimburse me for that too.

[2005 TSX]

what is a yellow or red top?

They are different types of batteries...

http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/Images/optima_allstart_oran_300op.jpg

[MemphisRheins]

Im on my second battery from Acura, The first one had a real hard problem cranking over (I swear I could of called my car a lemon by now..) and would constantly die, and even though I wanted to replace it, my dad owns half the car and decided that he wanted them to replace it under warranty... this new ones been significantly better, however in the cold now, I'm having this problem again... First off the OEM battery "has an extremely low reserve, The Battery is pretty much just good for starting the car..." which is what even acura tech said to me, to which my reply is Fantastic, and what if It doesn't even manage to do that...

So Im gonna agree with the general Consensus... Buy an after-market Battery... Optima's a good company, however there are quite a few other companies who make good batteries, and your not really gonna notice a difference between companies to tell the truth, just between power ratings

[socaljdmtsx]

we should stop thinking of things that we should do to fix this problem cause its obviously happening to most of our cars ....then it becomes a dealer matter....have there asses fix it.

[TodaSi]

Glad I'm not the only one with this issue. This is my 4th Acura and 5th Honda and have never had a problem with starting. Classically, Hondas would bleed a little fuel pressure off while sitting so by habit I insert key and turn on ignition to prime/build up pressure in the system (1-2 seconds) then crank it over. This doen't help the TSX. So far, in 13,000 miles the battery was completely drained once---wife left lights on (with the car off), but don't they automatically turn off after 10 minutes or so?
Anyway, This is the slowest cranking/starting Acura/Honda I have ever owned. I could start my 92 Civic hatch in the dead of a Michigan winter which had a 13.0 to 1 compression ratio with just a little Sea-Doo battery

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p4824f10b930d010402cc0fa604befc07/f865679e.jpg

[russduck]

Bought my 2006 Dec 11, 2005 and noted that when I started the car to leave the dealership it cranked slowly. The salesperson mentioned before I left that the only problem with his 2004 was that he had to replace the battery.

Anyone have an official Acura spin on this? I wouldn't think the relatively high compression would cause this. As a side note, in all my previous 9 Hondas, which had 3 year batteries, the battery died at, you guessed it, exactly 3 years. Is there a pattern here?

[flopmeister69]

hello
i own a 2002 civic si with the same problem. It started the car's first winter with less than 10k miles. it only occurs in cold weather, like near zero the night before. dealership said to turn on key and let fuel pump run. that still doesn't prevent it from happening. I have an optima battery and ground wires. I thought they would help. I don't have answers, just letting you all know it's occuring on other Honda vehicles with similar architecture(sp?).
take care

[mugentsx77]

Sup guys,

Well I was having the same problem and yesterday at the local supermarket the car would not start up. It would turn over but die out in the process and I would hear a weird noise from under the dashboard near the fuse area. Car is on it's way to Acura. You guys have any ideas what it could be? Thanks!

[mugentsx77]

Well I got my car back and all it was that it needed a new battery. Good thing I didn't have to pay for it. I can't believe Acura doesn't use a better battery.