2012 EX-L ignition sticking at startup - Honda Pilot

daron88 · 12-03-2011, 10:33 AM

Last night, for third time since I bought it, my pilot's ignition key stayed in the full start position at startup, causing the starter to remain engaged. I had to shut it off and restart the car. I have owned it for 2 months.'
I will be taking it in soon to get it looked at.

Anyone else having this issue?

iggibar · 12-03-2011, 12:04 PM

So, the key is getting stuck on its way from START to A/C, or from A/C to START? If it's the later, it could be related to your steering angle, If it's getting stuck coming down from start, it is most likely a problem with the key cylinder. Good luck!

daron88 · 12-03-2011, 09:14 PM

The key will sometimes not return to the A/C position after engaging the starter. It's as if I continue to hold it in the start position even though the vehicle has started. The result is the starter continues to roll as the vehicle is running. Not a pleasant sound either.

hchucky · 12-12-2011, 11:08 PM

We recently purchased a 2012 EX-L Pilot and have experienced this issue as well. It has happened a couple of times and I believe the key is rotating back to the II position but it is acting as if it is in the III position (starter is still engaged). We are taking it into the dealership tomorrow to have it looked at. Unless this is a common problem I do not have high hopes that they are going to be able to fix it unless they are able to recreate it.

Have you had your issue properly addressed?

HC

whizmo · 12-13-2011, 12:06 AM

Typically this sort of thing is due to the starter motor relay jamming on, not a problem in the ignition switch. Any remote start mods?

- Mark

Pilotnewby · 12-13-2011, 09:20 AM

I am experiencing this same problem on our 2012 honda pilot ex-l. We purrchased the vehicle less than a month ago and have experienced this issue 5 times. It seems that the key is returning from the start position, but the starter (or relay) remains engaged. The first few times it happened for only a few seconds. The last 2 times I have had to turn the key to the off position to stop. We are scheduling a service visit soon - if anyone else has their's diagnosed/repaired - please post the results.

mudbog · 12-13-2011, 02:57 PM

On at least the 2012 EX-L Pilot (that's what I have), you only have to momentarily turn the key to the start position. The starter will then stay engaged until the engine starts. There is a time limit as well but I don't remember what it is. The owners manual describes the feature. If the starter is staying engaged after the engine starts, that is a problem with the feature and you should take it to the dealer.

daron88 · 12-14-2011, 09:52 PM

I have a service appointment next week. I will post an update when I can. As to an earlier question, I have not mods to the ignition system, no remote start.

ch308 · 12-14-2011, 10:49 PM

Our 2011 has done this twice. Both times the outside temp was under 20 degrees and the car was parked outside. When it's parked in the garage we have no problems. Has anyone noticed if it happens in colder weather?

Eengineer · 12-21-2011, 12:46 PM

We've had this same issue. It's never happened to me but it has happened to my wife a couple times. She starts the Pilot and it continues to try to start even though it is already started. I'd be interested in hearing if anybody has any luck in resolving this problem.

prettyloaded · 12-21-2011, 07:45 PM

I have a 2010 pilot and never had a problem till now. Pilot sat for three days in the garage and when I started it, it sputtered and eventually turned over. Alot and I mean alot of smoke came from the exhaust. After the initial start, no other problems.

TeamPilot · 02-21-2012, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilotnewby

I am experiencing this same problem on our 2012 honda pilot ex-l. We purrchased the vehicle less than a month ago and have experienced this issue 5 times. It seems that the key is returning from the start position, but the starter (or relay) remains engaged. The first few times it happened for only a few seconds. The last 2 times I have had to turn the key to the off position to stop. We are scheduling a service visit soon - if anyone else has their's diagnosed/repaired - please post the results.

My 2012 Pilot went into the shop today to have this SAME issue checked. I've had it for 4 months and this has happened about 5 or 6 times. I always turn off the key. Service called me today and said that "they tried for 3 hours but can't duplicate it" -- I told them to keep it until they figured it out, suggested a little on line research...they said they were calling Honda to get more information. I'll keep you posted!

jdclark08 · 03-01-2012, 04:43 PM

i just bought a 2012 pilot in Jan and the starter messes up about 2-3 times a week. the pilot is in the shop right now.

marinejf · 03-02-2012, 05:31 PM

My 2012 Pilot EX-L (purchased in October 2011) is also exhibiting this problem. When starting, the key returns to position II but the starter continues to engage for a period of seconds even though the car has started already as if I were holding the key in position III. It has been a mild winter in Chicago, so I don't know if I can attribute it to low temps, but anything is possible. It has done it about 5 times since January, which is fairly frequent considering how little we drive (start) the car.

Anybody have a diagnosis on this yet?

12-03-2011, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
daron88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: C'ville Illinois Posts: 18 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2012 EX-L ignition sticking at startup Last night, for third time since I bought it, my pilot's ignition key stayed in the full start position at startup, causing the starter to remain engaged. I had to shut it off and restart the car. I have owned it for 2 months.' I will be taking it in soon to get it looked at. Anyone else having this issue?

12-03-2011, 12:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
iggibar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cleveland Posts: 207 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So, the key is getting stuck on its way from START to A/C, or from A/C to START? If it's the later, it could be related to your steering angle, If it's getting stuck coming down from start, it is most likely a problem with the key cylinder. Good luck! __________________ 2011 Honda Pilot EX-4WD. [bought] 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour EXL-4WD. [leased] 2009 Ford Focus SE. [bought]

12-13-2011, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
mudbog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: OH Posts: 141 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	On at least the 2012 EX-L Pilot (that's what I have), you only have to momentarily turn the key to the start position. The starter will then stay engaged until the engine starts. There is a time limit as well but I don't remember what it is. The owners manual describes the feature. If the starter is staying engaged after the engine starts, that is a problem with the feature and you should take it to the dealer. __________________ 2004 EXL 4WD, 2012 EXL+NAV 4WD

03-01-2012, 04:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
jdclark08 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: North Caroline Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2012 ex-l starter staying engaged i just bought a 2012 pilot in Jan and the starter messes up about 2-3 times a week. the pilot is in the shop right now.

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12-03-2011, 09:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
daron88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: C'ville Illinois Posts: 18 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The key will sometimes not return to the A/C position after engaging the starter. It's as if I continue to hold it in the start position even though the vehicle has started. The result is the starter continues to roll as the vehicle is running. Not a pleasant sound either.

12-12-2011, 11:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
hchucky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	We recently purchased a 2012 EX-L Pilot and have experienced this issue as well. It has happened a couple of times and I believe the key is rotating back to the II position but it is acting as if it is in the III position (starter is still engaged). We are taking it into the dealership tomorrow to have it looked at. Unless this is a common problem I do not have high hopes that they are going to be able to fix it unless they are able to recreate it. Have you had your issue properly addressed? HC

12-13-2011, 12:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
whizmo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,817 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Typically this sort of thing is due to the starter motor relay jamming on, not a problem in the ignition switch. Any remote start mods? - Mark

12-13-2011, 09:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
Pilotnewby Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I am experiencing this same problem on our 2012 honda pilot ex-l. We purrchased the vehicle less than a month ago and have experienced this issue 5 times. It seems that the key is returning from the start position, but the starter (or relay) remains engaged. The first few times it happened for only a few seconds. The last 2 times I have had to turn the key to the off position to stop. We are scheduling a service visit soon - if anyone else has their's diagnosed/repaired - please post the results.

12-14-2011, 09:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
daron88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: C'ville Illinois Posts: 18 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have a service appointment next week. I will post an update when I can. As to an earlier question, I have not mods to the ignition system, no remote start.

12-14-2011, 10:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
ch308 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Vernon WA Posts: 16 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Our 2011 has done this twice. Both times the outside temp was under 20 degrees and the car was parked outside. When it's parked in the garage we have no problems. Has anyone noticed if it happens in colder weather?

12-21-2011, 12:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
Eengineer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	We've had this same issue. It's never happened to me but it has happened to my wife a couple times. She starts the Pilot and it continues to try to start even though it is already started. I'd be interested in hearing if anybody has any luck in resolving this problem.

12-21-2011, 07:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
prettyloaded Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 52 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have a 2010 pilot and never had a problem till now. Pilot sat for three days in the garage and when I started it, it sputtered and eventually turned over. Alot and I mean alot of smoke came from the exhaust. After the initial start, no other problems.

03-02-2012, 05:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
marinejf Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My 2012 Pilot EX-L (purchased in October 2011) is also exhibiting this problem. When starting, the key returns to position II but the starter continues to engage for a period of seconds even though the car has started already as if I were holding the key in position III. It has been a mild winter in Chicago, so I don't know if I can attribute it to low temps, but anything is possible. It has done it about 5 times since January, which is fairly frequent considering how little we drive (start) the car. Anybody have a diagnosis on this yet?

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