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HELP with 04 TL alternator whine

 
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tturk1104 tturk1104
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 03/10
Posted: 03/22/10
07:44 AM

I have factory everything in my 04 Acura TL and the amplifier is picking up serious alternator whine, especially when the engine is cold.  I have checked all grounds on battery and alternator and I don't see a gain control on the amplifier.  Solutions to filter it out please?!?!?!?!  

 
waynep7122 waynep7122
Addict | Posts: 4392 | Joined: 08/09
Posted: 03/22/10
01:59 PM

i would really look at the radio antenna grounding...     make sure it is tight...

make sure the ground wires are all properly installed on the motor to the body...

do you have a digital volt meter??????     set it to 20 volt DC scale...    with the engine running and the head lights on...

test from the  negative battery post to the engine block....

test from the negative battery post to the body

test from the engine block to the body..

if you get any reading of more than 0.02 volts DC  you have a problem with the grounds between those two points..
this is how you test for bad grounds...  looking for differences in voltage when there is current flowing through the circuit..

have you jump started any other cars with yours...    i hope that you have not pulled a cable to test the charging system..

you can take the car to many parts stores.. have them test the charging system on their computerized tester that rolls or is carried to the car...    look for AC signal coming from the alternator..  there should be no AC coming from the alternator onto the DC side..

if you are handy..  you can take the alternator off.. remove the rear cover.. either examine and solder any cracked diodes on the rectifier heat sink... or just replace the rectifier bridge..  be sure to have a new P2 screw driver and a new pozidrive 2 screw driver.. as they are not really interchangeable.. just close until you strip the head out of a dead soft screw...

diodes going bad can cause this problem...     a diode is a one way electronic check valve..    there are probably 6 or 8 in your alternator..    half positive.. half negative..     so that any current above 0 is sent to the positive side.. any current below 0 is send to the negative side... since it is a 3 phase or 4 phase alternator .. there is constant DC flowing out..  

but when the diodes are damaged.. they can leak AC into the DC system and you may hear it on the radio...

here are some of the recall and TSB titles... i separated several that you might want to get the TSB on. and read up on it..

these came from alldata..  but should be also available at your acura dealer service department... they print them all the time for their techs and service advisors.. take the numbers with you..    if they say they are not available...  walk away.. go elsewhere..

Automotive Recall and Technical Service Bulletin Titles for 2004 Acura TL V6-3.2L.

TSB Number & Issue Date      TSB Title
08-016 MAR 09    Recall - Power Steering Hose Deteriorates/Leaks
08-013 OCT 08    Recall - Windshield Wiper Motor Modification
04-020 APR 05    Recall - Automatic Transmission 2nd Gear Inspection
TSB Number & Issue Date      TSB Title
06-050 MAY 08    Campaign - Vehicle Warranty Mileage Extension
06-050 NOV 06    Campaign - Vehicle Warranty Extension
TSB Number & Issue Date      TSB Title
06-031 SEP 09    Body - Front Door Glass Reverses Direction/Noisy
05-016 SEP 09    Interior - Roof Console Bezel Is Cracked
88-016 SEP 09    Electrical - Battery Testing And Replacement
06-012 AUG 09    Mirrors - Interior Rearview Mirror Vibrates/Loose


08-054 AUG 09    Audio System - Poor Reception Diagnostics Update



09-034 JUL 09    Electrical - GR8(R) Battery Diagnostic Station Update
09-027 JUN 09    Electrical - ED-18 Battery Analyzer Update Information
01-026 MAY 09    Computers/Controls - Updating Modules/Control Units
06-001 MAY 09    Audio/Navigation/RES - Warranty Exchange/Repair
06-034 MAY 09    Steering/Suspension - Vehicle Pulls Left/Right
07-060 APR 09    Power Steering - Moans/Whines On Cold Start Up
04-043 MAR 09    Interior - Rattling From The Rear Shelf Area
08-049 OCT 08    Engine - Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement Instructions
07-027 SEP 08    AcuraLink(R) - Updating Control Unit Software
04-004 JUL 08    BULLETIN CANCELLATION NOTIFICATION
08-018 JUL 08    M/T - Grinds In/Pops Out Of/Hard to Shift Into 3rd Gear
08-008 JUN 08    Interior - Front Seat Back Panel is Loose or Detached
89-015 MAY 08    A/T - Fluid Cooler Flushing Equipment Information
04-039 MAY 08    Interior - Headliner Sagging At Moonroof Opening
03-012 FEB 08    Antitheft System - Immobilizer System - (Type 4)
05-050 DEC 07    Suspension - Rear Tires Wear Prematurely
07-041 NOV 07    Brakes - Brake Pedal is Low/Soft
06-009 NOV 07    Interior - Power Window Switch Button Deformed/Broken
07-026 OCT 07    Drivetrain - Rattling/Pinging/Squealing on Light Accel.


07-049 OCT 07    Audio System - Front Center Speaker Rattles


07-025 OCT 07    A/C - Refrigerant Leak Detection
07-048 SEP 07    Interior - Driver's Side Vent Rattles
07-043 AUG 07    Body - Outer Door Handle Extension Falls Off
07-010 FEB 07    Music Link(R) - System Information/Troubleshooting
07-011 FEB 07    Body - Slapping/Ticking/Tapping From Moonroof Area
07-007 FEB 07    Body - Unibody Repair Guidelines
07-006 FEB 07    Interior - Door Panel/B Pillar Buzzing Noises
07-005 JAN 07    Brakes - Front Brake Squealing Noise
99-033 JAN 07    Paint - Environmental Fallout Damage
04-019 JAN 07    Brakes - Front Brakes Squeal On Light Application
06-046 DEC 06    Tires - Tubeless Tire Repair Information
06-043 OCT 06    Body - Moonroof Glass Weatherstrip is Damaged
06-040 OCT 06    Interior - Glove Box Rattles/Squeaks
06-039 OCT 06    Steering - Vehicle Pulls Left or Right
00-037 OCT 06    Disc Brake System - Brake Disc Refinishing Guidelines
06-024 SEP 06    Lighting - High Mount Brake Light Cover Loose
05-020 MAY 06    Cell Phone - HandsFreeLink(R) - (HFL) System Inoperative
06-013 MAY 06    Engine Controls/Fuel System - Hard Start/Long Crank Time
06-002 JAN 06    Frame - Front Subframe Removal Adapter
04-005 NOV 05    Interior - Driver's Memory Position System Inoperative
04-006 OCT 05    Audio System - Unit Diagnostics
05-033 OCT 05    Electrical - Multiple Electrical Systems Inoperative
03-013 SEP 05    Navigation System - Setup and Operation
05-025 AUG 05    Instruments - Incorrect Outside Air Temp. Readings
05-014 JUN 05    Restraints - Child Seat Anchor Locating Button Missing
05-017 MAY 05    Engine, A/T - 5th Gear Vibration or Drone From 50-60 MPH
SN050308 MAR 05    A/T - Fluid Leak From Cooler Line Banjo Bolts
SN050311 MAR 05    A/T - Replacement Oil Jet Hoses Available
SN050312 MAR 05    Engine Controls - Clearing DTC's
SN050314 MAR 05    Navigation System - Won't Dim with Headlights On
SN050309 MAR 05    Windshield Wipers - Blade Care and Replacement
SN050202 FEB 05    A/T - Avoiding Comebacks From Contamination
SN050211 FEB 05    A/T - DTC P1706 or P0706
SN050217 FEB 05    Audio System - Audio Discs with Adhesive Labels
SN050214 FEB 05    Audio System - Calling XM Radio
SN050212 FEB 05    Audio System - XM Radio Gets Channels 0, 1, 247 only
SN050216 FEB 05    Brakes - Click/Pop From Brake Pedal
SN050207 FEB 05    Cellular Phone - Pairing Bluetooth Phones to HFL
SN050208 FEB 05    Navigation System - Replacing Lost/Damaged DVD's
SN050215 FEB 05    Weatherstrip - Damage From Window Tinting
SN050104 JAN 05    Audio System - Registering Replacement XM Recievers
SN050103 JAN 05    Engine - Oil Recommendation GF-4 Standard
SN050106 JAN 05    Interior - Center Console Rear Section Service Update
04-034 NOV 04    Body - Rattle/Tapping Noise From Front of Moonroof
04-016 JUL 04    Engine Controls - MIL ON/DTC P2195 or P2197 Set
04-015 MAY 04    ABS - Lamp ON/Possible DTC's 15, 16, 17, 18, 43, 44 Set
03-033 DEC 03    Engine Controls - MIL ON/Misfire DTC's Set
03-024 OCT 03    Paint - Paint Codes  

 
tturk1104 tturk1104
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 03/10
Posted: 03/31/10
04:33 AM

Thanks Wayne.  Is the antenna grounding easily accessible?  Not sure where to look to check for tightness?  

 
waynep7122 waynep7122
Addict | Posts: 4392 | Joined: 08/09
Posted: 03/31/10
01:16 PM

do you a small portable radio with an antenna.. turn it on..   you might want to wave the antenna over the various parts of the motor while the engine is idling..    don't touch things.. just a wave over..


i just had a friend with a 97 tbird.. complain about loss of power and slight misfires...   seems his coil had a big crack in it..

when he replaced it.. the radio that was making ignition spark noises was also cured...


the wave the portable radio over the engine was a trick i had not thought of in 30 years.. a real old time mechanic showed me that trick.. but i had forgotten it..


or take out each coil and inspect it  for high voltage leakage...  

 
2012 Acura TL
Body Style:
Sedan
Rating:

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