Car will start with jump but not stay on

BOSON123

MEMBER
1998 ACURA CL
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
98,777 MILES

Here the senario, First thing this morning, I briefly moved my car to the driveway to wash it. It started fine and was able to move it. Then I turned it off, but when I went to move the electronic seat, it wouldnt move. And when I turned the ignition key the starter just clicked. Minutes later I was able to move my seat again turn on lights etc, but the ignition clicks. So when I go to jump start it it will start but the second I take my foot off the accelerator it stops. If I keep my foot on high idle it stays running, take my foot off and it stalls. Its a 98 acura 3.0cl

4 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Based on the symptoms, it sounds like you may have a failing battery or loose, dirty, or corroded electrical connections. Start by measuring the battery voltage with an inexpensive digital voltmeter. If you find near 12.6 volts, move the meter probes from the battery posts to the cable clamps, then measure the voltage while a helper tries to crank the engine. You're looking for the point where the voltage drops significantly, but that drop might only occur when high current is being drawn from the battery, (cranking the engine or even running the power seat).

Caradiodoc

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Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 AT 7:20 AM

BOSON123

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Ok now it starts but I still had the problem of it stalling unless I kept up the rpms. So I adjusted the idle speed and now it works buut know the transmission shifts hard mainly when coming to a stop or I guess downshifting to first any idea on what could have caused this and how to fix it? Thanks

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Thursday, January 6th, 2011 AT 4:51 PM

BOSON123

MEMBER
3 POSTS

OH I REPLACED the battery

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Thursday, January 6th, 2011 AT 5:05 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

It sounds like you might have issues with computers after having the battery disconnected. They may have lost their memory and will have to relearn things as you drive. That includes when to be in control of idle speed. You should never have to adjust idle speed on cars with electronic fuel injection. If you do that with a mechanical stop, that also moves the position of the sensor or valve that tells the transmission where the throttle is. Your transmission is shifting hard because it thinks you're pressing the gas pedal.

Caradiodoc

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Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 4:53 AM