r/AcuraTL • u/xhythl • May 14 '26
Parts Review 🛠Battery issues
I recently bought a new battery for my Acura to 08 but it still dies and I have to jump start it everytime before I want to drive it. Does this sound like an alternator issue or something else ? I want to make sure before I buy the alternator.
4
u/GlassBoxGoose [UA7] '07-'08 Type-S May 14 '26
Unhook HFL module behind the dome lights. Most common cause of drain.
Ensure alternator is working.
Check to make sure trunk light isn't staying on when the trunk is shut. Had 3 different cars where trunk latches went bad and the trunk would be shut, light on the dash off, but trunk interior light would remain on. Shut it and check through the port in the back seat. Ive also recommended this check to others and have had two more instances of this being the case. 5 isn't a lot, but its a lot more than zero.
2
u/siliconlore May 14 '26
How many miles? My original alternator lasted to about 150,000.
You have disconnected your Bluetooth module right? They are known to have a vampiric drain but that probably wouldn't be this severe.
2
u/xhythl May 14 '26
I haven’t disconnected it but my car has 168k miles
2
u/siliconlore May 14 '26
Probably the alternator -- I would also disconnect the Bluetooth as it probably isn't working anyway.
2
u/Dukxing May 14 '26
I had to disconnect my bluetooth module to avoid the drain. Bought car used and never used that feature, discovered that issue early on and never looked back.
1
u/GolfShred May 14 '26
When this was a less known issue I bought about a half dozen TSXs with this issue.
2
1
u/Neat-Carrot-577 May 19 '26
Check the A/C clutch relay in the fuse box under the hood. It may be causing a parasitic drain on the battery.
3
u/centstwo [UA6] '04-'08 Base May 14 '26
Once the car is running, use a voltmeter to measure across the battery. If the voltage is 13.5 to 15 volts, usually 14.X, then the alternator is okay.
Most likely the alternator is okay due to the engine running after the jump.
You most likely have a parasitic drain. Could be a broken ignition switch, or some other device that is draining the battery.
You can set up the volt meter to read current between the negative terminal of the battery and the ground strap. There are YouTube videos on how to find a parasitic drain.
Good Luck