The 2006 Acura TL’s battery draining problem may be caused by a parasitic drain related to the HandsFreeLink Bluetooth connection, or you could have a malfunctioning alternator or defective battery.

Maybe you’ve experienced this: you’ve had a great morning, headed out the door with coffee in hand, and when you start up your Acura TL, nothing happens—it won’t start! With a sigh, you realize the battery is dead. Many Tl owners have complained about battery draining problems, including the 2006 model year.

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What causes the 2016 Acura Tl battery draining problem

Drained batteries are among the top complaints from the 2006 Acura Tl owners. Drivers discover that their TL won’t start, that the

battery won't hold a charge

, or that it repeatedly drains over a short timeframe.

Unfortunately, this issue is so prevalent that TL owners are filing a class-action lawsuit against Acura because of the known battery draining issue. The model years covered by the suit include 2005-2008 for the Tl and other Acura models.

While there could be other causes for Acura TL battery drain, the most frequent—and referenced in the lawsuit—is caused by a parasitic drain. If you imagine a thirsty leech, you’re getting the right idea.

However, the parasite in this scenario is the HandsFreeLink Bluetooth connection. The HFL fails to shut down when drivers turn off the vehicle, sucking power from the battery.

The Acura TL was the first North American luxury sedan to feature a hands-free phone system as a standard in 2004. For many 2006 owners, this new feature was a major selling point as the new HandsFreeLink Bluetooth technology let drivers place and receive phone calls over the car’s audio system without handling their phone.

While the HFL accessory is the most prevalent cause of battery draining in the 2006 Acura Tl, it doesn’t account for every

dead battery

that owners encounter.

In other cases, another electrical component may be siphoning off power—and faulty batteries or alternators can create similarly irritating results.

MORE:

What’s the warranty on an Acura battery?

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How to fix the Acura Tl’s battery draining problem

Usually, the best repair for this problem is to take your car to your favorite mechanic. Diagnosing the exact source of your battery drain can be tedious work—a trained professional has the knowledge and equipment necessary to pinpoint your issue.

If you can, it's a good idea to leave your car at the shop for a few days so that your mechanic can watch the draining issue and troubleshoot possible sources.

If the HFL causes your car’s parasitic drain, then the solution may be as easy as replacing the system for between $150-$350, depending on whether you replace the module with a stock Acura replacement or go with an aftermarket one.

Replacing the module shouldn’t take very long, so if you are comfortable working with electronics, you might be able to swap modules yourself. Here’s how to do it:

The HFL is in the overhead console. To locate it, remove the power sunroof switch.

Depress the latch to disengage the harness connector from the switch.

Reach in and firmly pull down the black housing to disengage the spring clip.

Remove the harness connector from the lighting panel—now, you should be able to see the HFL module, but you still need to remove the connector.

Remove the four 8 mm headed screws that hold the trim, and the panel should go down—revealing the entire HFL module.

Disconnect the module from the wiring.

To reattach your replacement, you follow the instructions in reverse. If you’re not interested in replacing the HFL, you can leave it disconnected and button the trim back up.

What happens if you remove the HFL module and still have battery drain issues? Getting to the root of the problem can be difficult, so here are a few more causes to troubleshoot:

If you’re experiencing repeated battery deaths, you could consider

replacing your battery

with an upgraded model.

In some instances, a faulty alternator is to blame for your battery’s demise. You may need to

repair or replace your alternator

Check for corrosion on your

battery terminals

and make sure everything is hooked up correctly.

MORE:

Car loan for Acura 2022

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