21st Jan 2013, 16:18

Head light issues, it could be your DRL module under the steering needs some solder work done. If you are a technical person, I am sure you will know what I am talking about. Get someone with bit of soldering experience, who can go under your steering and get that little box under there, then open the box, and re-flow all the solder joints, and put it back the same way. You will then be ready to go. If you are wanting to take it to dealer and sort this out, it will cost some $300 easy. This is like 2 hours work with your friend and yourself.

Hope this helps!!

Ruban.

Ottawa, Canada.

20th Feb 2013, 02:22

I had to replace my timing belt at 100,000km due to rough idling back in 2005. The car went fine afterwards. Now, I'm at 214,000km. Do I have to replace the timing belt or follow 174,000km in the manual. Mine is a 2001 Acura EL automatic.

29th Mar 2013, 19:08

What should I give special attention too before buying a 2002 Acura EL with 246000 kms? I'm helping my sister find a good, used, affordable, well engineered car with a good reputation.

Thanks

From Tim

Email: smitht191@gmail.com

5th Sep 2013, 10:53

Hi, I have a 2003 Acura EL 1.7 5 speed. I recently changed the timing belt and pump on it at about 165,000 km. I changed due to noisy lifters and/or valves/cams, and it was recommended by the dealer. Now 5,000 km later the same problem has arisen, and upon acceleration either the lifters or valves are pretty noisy. I'm guessing maybe a valve adjustment should fix it, but my mechanic says the valves adjust automatically with the new belt??? Any ideas please? Other than that, the car is amazing, no complaints!!

My email is brooks87@live.com thanks! :-)

Thanks in advance, Tyler

2nd Jan 2014, 17:18

Every car will need an alternator and thermostat over time. It's not the car, so stop spreading this information about these cars, because people who don't know about cars think that those problems are now related to only Acura's, when in fact both my BMW's have had their thermostats and alternator changed over time. THEY go on every car.

2nd Jan 2014, 17:19

Yours is a manual; that's why you don't have the problems others do. Get a manual if you can drive standard, as the automatic transmissions are prone to failure.

11th Apr 2014, 09:52

Re: how do you properly reset the ecu

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/182-7th-gen/318879-how-do-you-properly-reset-ecu.html

11th Apr 2014, 10:38

I would advise you get another mechanic.

You can adjust the valve but not the timing; it's done by the ECU.

8th May 2014, 12:30

It's because you have the standard transmission. Almost every Honda / Acura with an auto transmission was plagued with problems from 2000-2004.

8th Jun 2014, 05:02

I own a 2002 Acura 1.7EL. The problem was, when I turned on the headlights, the low beams did not operate; switched to high beams... it worked! Took it to the dealer; they replaced the bulbs; this did not fix the problem. They traced it to a fuse box underneath the dash on the driver's side, which has grounding issues. Replaced fuse box, this did not fix the problem! So, I had a different tech look at it, and determined it was the combination switch assembly, this fixed the problem... finally!

17th Jun 2014, 19:40

2001 Acura EL - Premium.

Bought the car new. The transmission went at 30k and was fully covered under warranty.

The car now has 250k on it, and it still looks and runs like new.

Replaced the timing belt at 160k (regular maintenance) as well as the head gasket.

Small things are now going because of age - door actuator for locks, oil seal, rust on exhaust pipes. Replaced bearings, battery, brakes and shocks because of age (work done myself).

Love the car, starts every time.

Mark.

28th Feb 2016, 19:57

I did the soldering, got the DLR light off, but still have no low beam.

17th Apr 2016, 12:21

I, personally, am not interested in the problems that other makes and models of cars have had, 'in comparison to this Acura' - I believe these comments are specific, and believe them to be everyone's personal experiences. I, however having driven Honda/Acura products since the mid 70s, must agree with what I'm reading on problems with this "particular" vehicle. I am not pleased with this car. Actually of all the Honda products I have driven - Accord, CRV, Odyssey, Integra; I am entirely disappointed with this EL. I have logged tremendous mileage on all of these vehicles, so I know what my other vehicles have performed and endured. This EL with the faulty "SRS light" - the nightmare problem which Acura (HONDA) should take total responsibility for! I did notice that someone wrote that their reps are unaware of this problem? Are they serious? Like I said, I have driven these cars for decades - and yes, this SRS issue 'I believe' Acura has known about for years, and is refusing to rectify. There are YouTube videos available on how to turn that light off - when I had the Odyssey, the tranny was a recall, but I was very ill and I couldn't get anything taken care of, but once I was better, I called Honda & they flatly refused to cover any portion of the transmission (mega $$). However, my dealership did step up to the plate and covered the majority of it. Obviously this dealership earned my business for life!

However, regarding this 1.7 EL - problems with bushings, the idle, alternator, thermostat... not problems that I continually had problems with in former vehicles. The ride is by no means even close to my other Hondas (taking the Odyssey out of it, as its smoothness was incomparable to my cars); I feel every bump and grind. The mileage did diminish and eventually lead to the replacement of a catalytic converter - however, once again - something that I didn't have a problem with before this car - when using mileage as a comparison. Hence, comparing apples to apples, I honestly thought that his car was a throw together of Honda's leftovers. Stuff which they wouldn't/couldn't use on their other models... Maybe I got a lemon? Anything is possible. In any event - Acura needs to take responsibility for the SRS light/seatbelt problem. This is NOT a random issue, nor something that is new. When hundreds of EL owners and mechanics are aware of this, how can they honestly say that they are "unaware of it"?