[Crashmaster]

As the original owner of a 2015 TLX Advanced 3.5L purchased new, my biggest downside of the car was the Auto Idle Stop. I detested my car shutting off and then automatically turning back on. I found this slight delay almost dangerous in many situations, not to mention I believe that turning my hot engine off and on many times will actually short-live the starter, battery and entire engine. Yes, I can easily defeat the system by always remembering to push the Auto Idle Off button at the bottom of my shift console. Even though it has become an automatic reaction of mine: Start car and then push auto idle off button; occasionally I forget and it has always been a nuisance. I have always hoped that there would be a fix for this problem (as there are for other cars). Now there is.

Let me introduce you to the Idlestopper. A little black box with three wires coming out. It will take you about 30 minutes to install and afterward you will never need to worry about pressing the Idle Stop Off button again, unless you want Idle Stop On: which then you would need to press the button.

The Idlestopper comes complete with professional grade crimp connectors already attached to make the install that much easier. Tools required to install are: Some plastic pry tools to remove console trim pieces, a few standard screwdrivers and standard pliers. If you don’t already have, I suggest you purchase a four piece Nylon Pry Tool kit at Harbor Freight for $4.99 as you don’t want to mar or bend any of the interior trim pieces. I would highly recommend if you don’t already have these plastic tools, that you get them for the install.

Bottom line – I highly recommend this product. This is how the vehicle should have come from the factory. How many threads have we seen here and on various sites such as: “Stuck - Vehicle Won’t Auto Idle Restart”: and then that person relates how he got stuck in traffic or almost had an accident.

If you have any questions before or during installation, feel free to post it here in this thread. Below are some photos I took during the install.

Here is my 2015 TLX, the test vehicle. Sorry I didn't have time to clean my garage.

This is the black box with three wire coming out of it. This is what you will get.

This is the $4.99 Harbor Freight Nylon pry bar kit. More than enough for this install.

The Idlestopper comes with professional grade easy crimp connectors. This makes the three electrical connections very easy to do.

Attach the black box under your console with a zip tie so that it doesn't rattle around.

Lastly, everything put back together.

 

[Crashmaster]

For more information about this product:
www.idlestopper.com

 

[hmbecker3]

Thanks for posting this Crashmaster. I hope someday that all auto manufacturers program a setting to allow you to turn off this system if you don't want to use it.

 

[Crashmaster]

That would be nice but with manufacturers fighting for the best EPA gas mileage the 'Auto Idle Stop' is a means for better gas mileage. Unfortunately, the auto idle stop doesn't apply to all drivers. Some drivers in daily heavy slow rush hour traffic would certainly benefit from auto idle stop and other drivers who jump right on the highway and then get right off the highway might not benefit at all (like me).

My biggest problem now with using the Idlestopper is to UNLEARN pushing the Auto Idle Off button at each start up. I actually put a piece of painters tape across the button to try and break me of this habit.

 

[gary325]

If this feature saves 0.01 MPG, it will always be there!! Meeting that Government standard is your ticket to sell!

 

[D18]

Thanks for posting this Crashmaster. I hope someday that all auto manufacturers program a setting to allow you to turn off this system if you don't want to use it.

Acura is learning. Not sure if you heard, but on the '21 TLX, you can personalize your driving mode, and you can set the Idle Stop off permanently. They listened to all the feedback! Unfortunately for me, my '15 is plagued with the idle stop not starting the car back up, and I currently have a claim with Acura to fix it.

 

[Goawayidlestop]

The 21 TLX does disable the idle stop in sport mode or you can disable it in individual mode. Still kind of the same set up as the 1G TLX where the idle stop is defaulted ON. The 21 TLX will not start up in any mode that disables the idle stop(sport, individual). It will only start up in normal or comfort mode and you still have to select manually sport or individual or turn the idle stop off yourself. The idle stop is never going to be defaulted OFF from the factory because of lowered fuel mileage it would cause for the window sticker 🙄

 

[Kevinmac]

2020 v6 with tech does not come with idle stop, and I am grateful.

 

[PPV]

I've had some dangerous case of me getting to an intersection, braking for a split second to let a car go past, trying to go again to get between that one and the next, and the engine was off and it takes an extra delay of a couple seconds to get out the way, while I'm blocking the road. This is really really bad.

Also I had to change my battery this spring. I did it myself but it still cost nearly $200. No doubt this awful feature was at least partially responsible. It's a 2018, how could the battery fail so fast ...

Anyway, this is amazing, thank you! I just ordered an idlestop. Will improve the longevity of my car. Thanks again.

 

[Crashmaster]

IDLESTOPPER UPDATE

I need to update my above review of the Idlestopper. I had the opportunity to install an Idlestopper v2 (Version 2 plug and play) on a 2019 Honda Passport this last weekend. I was truly amazed at the new updates and modifications that were made to make installation even easier.

If you are annoyed by your TLX shutting off at every stop and worry about the continual wear and tear on the battery and starter, then the Idlestopper is for you. As a tech, I also don’t like the idea of a hot engine stopping and starting every few minutes. Likewise, there have been numerous people who have been stranded when their TLX refused to start back up while in the middle of traffic (potential accident).

Their new kits which include for the 2015 thru and including the 2021 Acura TLX vehicles now comes with matching wiring harness connectors. No more crimping any wires. Just plug the Idlestopper between the Idle Stop Switch and its connector and then do the same for the power outlet. Installation now takes about 5 minutes.

If you want to see the install in a Youtube video, here are the links.

2015 to 2020 TLX =

2021 TLX =

The price of the Idlestopper is $80 and can be ordered at:

Home | Idlestopper

For vehicle longevity and safer driving, I strongly recommend you get this for your vehicle.

 

[FJ62 Guy]

IDLESTOPPER UPDATE

I need to update my above review of the Idlestopper. I had the opportunity to install an Idlestopper v2 (Version 2 plug and play) on a 2019 Honda Passport this last weekend. I was truly amazed at the new updates and modifications that were made to make installation even easier.

If you are annoyed by your TLX shutting off at every stop and worry about the continual wear and tear on the battery and starter, then the Idlestopper is for you. As a tech, I also don’t like the idea of a hot engine stopping and starting every few minutes. Likewise, there have been numerous people who have been stranded when their TLX refused to start back up while in the middle of traffic (potential accident).

Their new kits which include for the 2015 thru and including the 2021 Acura TLX vehicles now comes with matching wiring harness connectors. No more crimping any wires. Just plug the Idlestopper between the Idle Stop Switch and its connector and then do the same for the power outlet. Installation now takes about 5 minutes.

If you want to see the install in a Youtube video, here are the links.

2015 to 2020 TLX =

2021 TLX =

The price of the Idlestopper is $80 and can be ordered at:

Home | Idlestopper

For vehicle longevity and safer driving, I strongly recommend you get this for your vehicle.

Idlestopper sounds great and looks easy to install. Does anyone know of any potential warranty issues installing it? Just got a CPO the other day and it's great except for this damn Auto Idle Stop. Thanks

 

[tboo72]

In noticed on my 2019 CPO A-Spec v6 SHAWD that if I hold the Idle Stop button for a few seconds it shuts off for good and does not come back on when I restart the car.

 

[Kevinmac]

My 2020 v6 does not have idle stop. Guess the change was made after 2019.

 

[Baugustine]

@Crashmaster great kit, I did the install about a week ago. It actually came up on my YT feed a few weeks ago and I crossed my fingers and ordered it. Saw this post after the install was complete. Super easy to install and sets the default where it should be. My 18 Raptor had the same annoying features, but if you put the truck in SPORT mode it disabled it. That would have been nice if it worked that way on these as well. The truck always defaulted to NORMAL mode after the truck was shut off, which was a terrible oversight on Ford’s part in my opinion. Thanks

 

[stickman]

Don't know if you know this already or not, but there has been a Manufacturer's Recall on the Auto Stop/Start feature, at least on my 2015 3.5 SHAWD Advance. There, obviously, were too many safety issues with this feature. For me personally, it ran the battery down so much, I have replaced the battery 4 times in 5 years. The software fix pretty much defeats the AS/S feature automatically when the charge on the battery gets to the point of not reliably being able to start the car back up again after shutting down. This was my main problem. I'd get to a light and brake to a stop, car would shut off, light would change, and car wouldn't start up again. Big problem. At least I knew how to get the car going again, but my wife would call me crying on the phone in the middle of the road. Disaster.

 

[LinuxRacr]

I installed the Idlestopper v2 last week on my 2022 TLX Type-S. Very easy install, and works great. No more worry about forgetting to push the button on startup! No more trying to turn onto a road quickly, only to have to wait for the car to start again. It was almost a problem once....

 

[DouglasM]

Installed mine a couple of weeks ago also. Worth every penny

 

[worrellthomas2020]

Acura is learning. Not sure if you heard, but on the '21 TLX, you can personalize your driving mode, and you can set the Idle Stop off permanently. They listened to all the feedback! Unfortunately for me, my '15 is plagued with the idle stop not starting the car back up, and I currently have a claim with Acura to fix it.

Mine had that issue when driven spiritedly. The dealer said the starter was worn and needed to be replaced. It’s definitely a safety hazard when you have to push the park button, restart the car, then put it in drive and go.

 

[DouglasM]

I put in an idlestopper on my 2017 Acura TLX advanced after my local dealer had to replace the starter. It was covered under warranty.