2009 Pilot refused to start, then ran really rough

[Bobot]

2009 Pilot Touring, 30,000 miles

My first experience like this ever with this vehicle. Tried to start it, wouldn't turn over. Tried again, sputtered. Third time, it started but ran really rough for about 5 seconds until I killed it. It didn't sound like it was going to keep running and didn't sound good.

Waited a couple seconds, tried again and it started. I let it idle a while, drove it around the block, seems ok. But it "feels" like it is running slightly rougher than it did before.

Here might be some clues. Friday night I filled it up with gas, about 1/2 tank...around 50 degrees. Ran it Saturday in this freak October snow storm, bounced the tires *gently* off a curb coming out of the bank, but can't find any damage any where...around 34 degrees. There was snow all over it in the garage last night and all melted, so I put it out in the driveway this morning to dry off and it is now around 45 degrees when this happened.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[rocky]

My best guess is that you may have either
1: suffered a catastrophic battery failure. Test the voltage
2: gotten some bad gas.
Snow, Curbing etc wouldn't cause starting problems

[Arizonaadam]

Check engine light on? Sounds like you could still be under warranty. If so, you should take it in asap. With that out of the way, I have heard a lot of "rough start" stories with these years. If it has never happened before just chalk it up to one off. If you search youtube you'll find examples.

[Arizonaadam]

Also meant to write, it could be a lot of things. Fouled plug, bad gas (as mentioned), clogged air filter, bad plug wire, etc.

[Bobot]

Additional problem, unrelated I think. Humming/ vibration now coming from front right tire in sync with speed, starting around 65 mph. Noticed I put a big gash in the wheel where it meets the tire. Did I bend the rim or possibly break something when I hit the curb sideways at 2 mph?

[samc]

As for a bend, only way to tell is take the wheel off and check. I doubt you did any damage riding over a curb (it is an suv afterall) but you never know. Also check the area when you take off the wheel, you never know what kind of damage you might have done: broken a bushing, tore the cv boot, etc.... And check your air pressure as well, you might have punctured it or perhaps broken a belt in the tire.

[kscurl01]

As for the rim gouge, have a look at the following link to find a shop in your area that has a Road Force Balancer machine:

Hunter GSP9700 Wheel vibration Control System solves wheel vibration and tire pull problems that balancers and aligners can't fix

It's definitely the best way to check your tires, wheels, and alignment, all in a snap. Not all of the dealerships have it, so I'd do a check for a reputable independent shop in your area and take it there. It's not a cheap test, so an independent shop might save you a few bucks.

As for the sputtering on start, it sounds like a fuel or spark problem. It doesn't sound like an air issue as it did finally start and run for a bit. Per previous replies, take it in if it's still under warranty. If not, plug in an OBD II diag tester to see if you can pull a code, or take it to your local auto parts store and have them do it for you. While there, have them test your battery/alternator/starter with the tester too. A word of caution... a tester at a local auto parts store is NOT as reliable in testing your batter as some of the higher end diag machines at the dealership, so YMMV (personal experience).

If no codes, and you're on your own, start with the simple stuff first (check air filter/MAF sensor), plugs/wires, etc...). I've never had a bad batch of gas, so I can't offer an educated guess on how to handle that... sorry.

[Bobot]

Thanks for all the info guys. Since that one time and the rough start, I've started the vehicle 10-15 times and run it over the day on some errands and no issues at all.

I'm going to start a new thread here on the humming/vibration issue because it doesn't belong under this topic.

When I take it in to the dealer this week for the humming/vibration issue, I'll have them check the codes on the non-start and rough idling.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by kscurl01

As for the rim gouge, have a look at the following link to find a shop in your area that has a Road Force Balancer machine:

Hunter GSP9700 Wheel vibration Control System solves wheel vibration and tire pull problems that balancers and aligners can't fix

It's definitely the best way to check your tires, wheels, and alignment, all in a snap.

Could you explain how the GSP9700 checks alignment?

[kscurl01]

Originally Posted by xGS

Could you explain how the GSP9700 checks alignment?

No, I cannot. Nor do I have any idea why I added that bit of false advertising. Thanks for catching it though and calling me on it!

[Bobot]

Dealer could not find any codes or electrical problems associated with this issue. Also checked battery and charging system. Will keep an eye on it...hopefully it was just a one-timer.