| '04 MDX Maintenance Light event, is it logged ?
- Click HERE for Original Thread
|
| LostBoy |
Hi all,
New to the Acura world, got an '04 MDX back in Dec. Quick question, I just called the Acura dealer locally since my wife reported that the maintenance light had gone on and stayed on 3 times last week for a minute or so and then turned off. Of course, I've never seen it do this and the info from my wife is patchy at best. Back to the question though, when I told the service desk operator she said it's probably normal - maint due, but there was no way to tell. I asked if the car keeps an internal computer chip record of maintenance light events and she said no, which surprised me (my BMW 540i definitely does, they can plug it in and tell me what/why/when the lights went off and why they were triggered the last time even after if the light goes out before getting to the shop.
Is this true that the Acura MDX doesn't do this logging ? They can't tell what and why the maint light came on ? Shocking for such a well build car. Also do any of you agree that this is normal - first warning behavior for standard service, to be fair my wife can't remember if the light was blinking which the service desk assured me it would be if the first oil change maint warning.
Thanks,
LostBoy |
|
|
| Dr. Ken |
| Look in your owner's manual: it will show you a way to easily turn the maintenance light off. Normally the garage does this when the car is serviced, but if yours was done by a non-Acura place, then they may not have known about it. When you do it yourself, it takes less than 30 seconds, and you can do it while you are sitting in the front seat behind the wheel. |
|
|
| LostBoy |
Dr. Ken,
Thanks for the response, although that wasn't really the question. I know how to reset the "service light" as you mentioned by pressing the reset buttons in the proper fashion on the dash. The question was really whether the car keeps a log computer record of why the light goes on, in the event of a problem etc like BMW does. I have subsequently found out that Acura, to my surprise does not do this, although I'd think they should start.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply,
Marc |
|
|
| frostyra |
We're confusing two lights here -- the "Maint. Reqd" light and the
"Check Engine" light.
"Maint. Reqd" means just that -- it's coming up time for an oil change. It blinks a few times every time you start the car, beginning 6000 miles from the last time that the light was reset. After 7000 miles, it stays on until manually reset. (These numbers are from memory, and may not be totally accurate).
"Check Engine" means trouble, and will usually set a code in the computer, telling what caused the problem. Sometimes another light will come on with it, such as the infamous "Check Engine" and "VTM-4" lights -- which usually means "bad EGR valve", but sometimes means "bad Idle Air Control", and once in a while can mean "bad oxygen sensor." It's an assumption on my part, but I believe that most of these codes remain in the computer until reset by the service technician. |
|
|
| LostBoy |
Thanks,
That makes sense, although my dealer told me that the computer does not store the code, which surprised me too. Perhaps they are wrong, or something....
Marc |
|
|
| PsychoKnight |
quote:
Originally posted by LostBoy
Thanks,
That makes sense, although my dealer told me that the computer does not store the code, which surprised me too. Perhaps they are wrong, or something....
Marc
All modern vehicles sold in US/Can have code storing engine management computers, which output to universal and proprietary ports (OBDII port). Using and OBDII scanner or Honda PGM tester, a list of all DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) logged is retrieved, along with freeze frame data of all analyzed values when the problem first occured, as well as current run-data. The only way to clear these codes is through the scanner/tester, disconnecting the car batter, or pulling the #13 clock backup passenger side fuse. This procedure is necessary whenever replacing any air/fuel management related component (egr, IAC, temp/O2 sensors, etc).
When you said your dealer told you the computer didn't store the code, in what capacity did this person give you this info? I hope it wasn't the service advisor. Otherwise, you really need to find yourself a new dealer.
Whenever there is a powertrain driveability problem, dealers usually decline to give a prognosis until the DTCs are retreived and interpreted. They never say, "Codes aren't stored so we have no clue how to proceed with your car, we just go about replacing various expensive & difficult to access parts until it works right, its a hit and miss type of thing."
I'm shocked. You might want to perform a search on your dealer name on this site and see what experiences people have had with your dealership. |
|
|
| frostyra |
quote:
Originally posted by LostBoy
Thanks,
That makes sense, although my dealer told me that the computer does not store the code, which surprised me too. Perhaps they are wrong, or something....
Marc
Marc -- But we STILL don't know which light it was -- "Maint. Reqd" or "Check Engine". Please tell:4: |
|
|
| LostBoy |
Great info, and exactly as I had thought and hoped. I was equally as shocked at the info I was given by this dealer phone rep.
To be fair, it was not the service advisor, it was the service desk phone receptionist, and she probably should not have even tried to answer the question. When I questioned her on he response she got quite rude. Needless to say I did not end up going to this dealer (Hopkins Acura - Redwood City CA) and found another one that was significantly more helpful and knowledgeable (Sunnyvale Acura) who I would give that dealer 5 stars and gave me the RIGHT info in a friendly fashion and excellent service when I took my car in.
I'm usually not fond of dealers in general, my BMW 540i NEVER goes to the dealer as I have found a great independent shop. But Sunnyvale Acura was a notable exception, even springing for a free rental car when the shuttle was unavailable.
Thanks to all for their responses, I'm quite confident I have uncovered the truth now, and the news is good. |
|
|
| LostBoy |
P.S. it ended up being the Maint Light, of course my wife couldn't have told me the difference and I never saw either light on. It was all she could remember to mention a week later that maybe, possibly she had seen a light go on, but couldn't tell me for how long or which one, shocking ;-)
It wasn't until I got the car in to the Sunnyvale dealer and they said there had been no 'Engine Trouble' events logged that we assessed it was the Maint Req light doing it's thing !
:-) |
|
|
| frostyra |
| The details make all the difference, don't they?:4: |
|
|
|
|
