| NighthawkMDX |
Hi, I am new on the forum and have a close friend with a 2004 MDX that I work on occasionally, and wanted to see if anyone has had any problems like this.
I haven't checked anything under the hood yet but have driven it around enough to know that something is wrong. The car runs and drives great once it's running but is getting harder and harder to start. When you turn the engine over it may take 4-5 seconds for it to try and start and maybe even 3-4 tries with that much time before it actually starts. Before this happened the car would start pretty much instantly on the first try. The car has about 45k on it now. I know it has never had the plugs changed or anything along those lines, and I just wanted to get an idea to see if anyone has had this problem already and knows exactly what it is.
Like I said it's not my car, but I do know that it is getting progressively worse everyday. |
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| shootist |
Since you work on cars, you probably know a dying battery if you hear it. But the first symptom- it takes 4 or 5 seconds to start to turn over- sure sounds like a dying battery. Acura's OEM battery is known for dropping cells and dying.
Plugs shouldn't need changing for another 50,000 miles. If it was also running rough, the EGR valve would be a contender. |
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| NighthawkMDX |
| I do agree that it could be a weak battery and it has been dead once before. The only odd thing about it is that it turns over really strong, ie. its not sluggish at all like most of the dying batteries I deal with in German cars. Even if you drive it around for while and shut the car off and start it back immediately its still takes forever to start. When I get it over to my place I will get a better idea, I am basically telling this second hand at the moment. |
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| NighthawkMDX |
| After reading your reply I realized that my wording may have been a bit hard to understand. When I said it take 4-5 seconds to start, I meant that the engine is turning over fine but it's not firing. It may 3-4 tries of doing this before the engine fires and starts. |
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| Echo2625 |
quote:
Originally posted by NighthawkMDX
After reading your reply I realized that my wording may have been a bit hard to understand. When I said it take 4-5 seconds to start, I meant that the engine is turning over fine but it's not firing. It may 3-4 tries of doing this before the engine fires and starts.
Maybe try taking it to the dealer??
Depending on what the problem is it could be under warranty. |
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| jhue |
Air, fuel, spark...
I'm going to go with fuel. Does it only exhibit this problem after sitting for a while, and start right away immediately after shutting it down, or is it always hard to start? If it only does this when cold, it sounds like a fuel pressure problem, like a bad fuel pressure regulator (I will admit to knowing nothing about the specifics of the MDX powertrain and just thinking generically).
In any case, yeah, isn't it still under warranty? |
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| NighthawkMDX |
The problem is there all the time. It doesn't matter if the car was just driven or sitting all day, its hard to start at all times. It turns over strong like I said, but it just won't fire and when it finally does it still takes a few tries to finally get it going.
I am pretty sure the warranty is up on it, however I will have to ask the owner. |
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| Echo2625 |
quote:
Originally posted by NighthawkMDX
The problem is there all the time. It doesn't matter if the car was just driven or sitting all day, its hard to start at all times. It turns over strong like I said, but it just won't fire and when it finally does it still takes a few tries to finally get it going.
I am pretty sure the warranty is up on it, however I will have to ask the owner.
Warranty is 4 years 50,000 miles....take it back to the dealer!
BTW...what "work" do you "occassionally" do on a 2004 MDX??? |
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| shootist |
Here's a note from the August 2006 Service Bulletin. his could be you:
NOTE: This article applies to ’03–06 MDXs,
’07 RDXs, ’05–06 RLs, ’02–06 RSXs, ’04–06 TLs,
and ’04–06 TSXs.
If the starter motor cranks the engine, but the
engine doesn’t start, keep your eye on the
immobilizer system indicator while the starter
motor is engaged. If the indicator is blinking, the
battery may be weak. A weak battery may have
enough juice to turn the starter motor (it will turn
with 9 to 10 volts), but not enough to power the
other electrical systems, particularly the
ECM/PCM.
To fix this problem, hook up a battery charger or a
jumper battery and restart the engine. If the
engine starts right up, or if the immobilizer system
indicator blinks while the engine is running, then
use the ED-18 battery tester to check the battery
and the charging system. Make any needed
repairs.
A weak battery can also cause an intermittent
crank but no start problem with the immobilizer
system indicator blinking. The starter motor may
sound strong, but the ECM/PCM and the
immobilizer system can’t communicate. Use the
ED-18 battery tester to check the battery.
pressure gauge you want to test. If the reading
on that gauge isn’t within 0.2 psi, have that
gauge adjusted, repaired, or replaced.
It’s a good idea to test all the tire pressure gauges
in your shop every 6 months. This new
calibration tool makes short work of it. If you
need to replace this tool or you just want an extra
one handy, order P/N 07AAJ-000A100 from Acura
parts stock. |
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| Redy2Rumble |
| I am having the exact same problem, taking it to acura tomorrow morning, although I do have 103 000km on it. |
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| Redy2Rumble |
quote:
Originally posted by Redy2Rumble
I am having the exact same problem, taking it to acura tomorrow morning, although I do have 103 000km on it.
They diagnosed my problem is a EGR valve problem, charged me $90.
Wanted $450 for replacement and installed.
Took it elsewhere and it cost me $200. |
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