2012 Pilot Touring starting problems solved. READ ON!

[SamtheMan]

Im ready to buy a Pilot but due to this thread and others I decided to wait it out until the starting "issue" is resolved. That being said I'm willing to contact Honda to let them know they're losing a nice sale due to this situation. It seems like other current Pilot owners are filing reports which probably will help. I think if they start to hear they are also losing potential customers it can't hurt. Any ideas who I should contact?

[EJH7977]

It has now been over 1 1/2 months since i did the Idle Learning Procedure and hasn't had the starting issue at all in the slightest amount. To recap my issues the first week i owned the pilot I had starting issues on different days sometimes one or two days fine in between the episodes. And I encountered all the types of hard starting people have posted ie (engine partially fires but not enough to stop the auto start from continuing for over 10 seconds, engine seems to have fired up but runs rough and idling at around 250 RPMs, and then at times the engine would not start at all) All of these things were corrected by completely turning off the ignition and then restarting.

I have to disagree (although i am not certain since i am not a honda tech) with the poster who mentioned that the Idle Learning Procedure has nothing to do with the starting but only with when the engine is already running. But what is the state of any engine when you first start it? It is trying to quickly adjust from a standstill state to a pre-determined idle speed. I think the Idle Learning Procedure has everything to do with how an engine performs while starting considering that the engine's computer determines how much fuel to inject on cold mornings verses mild days, etc.

[Go Steelers]

Originally Posted by iggibar

Come on now, look **** up before wasting peoples time!

Your kidding, right? You are trying to compare a starting issue with Toyota's acceleration issue? When Toyotas were experiencing the unintended acceleration issue, accidents were happening, and people were being injured or killed. That in absolutely no way compares to having to turn the key a few extra times to get the Pilot to start. Where is the safety issue there? Is a major inconvenience, that absolutely should not be happening on an brand new vehicle? Yes. And I would be PISSED if I had this problem and Honda had no solution. But it certainly is not a safety issue that would warrant a recall.

My wife's Odyssey just had a recall because the power tailgate motor could fail to hold the tailgate open, possibly lowering unintentionally and causing injury. Now that is a safety issue. Have to turn the key a couple extra times? I fail to see your warped connection to safety.

[EJH7977]

Just giving an update since I have nothing else better to do during this hurricane. My pilot has not had ONE starting problem episode since I did the Idle Learning Procedure back in May. Again, i am not saying that this is the solution to everyone having starting problems with their pilots but this one worked for me and it has been many, many months with no troubles whatsoever.

Damn, when is the power going out here? I wanna use my new generator LOL

[rnsscamaro]

After reading all these threads my 2012 with 500 miles on it started acting up, not wanting to start with the first turn of the key and shutting off, told the dealer about the service bulletin 12-031 described a few post ago and they flashed my vcm with the new software no problems since with starting. Great write up

[Steve Z]

I had access to ALLDATA and found a TSB for starting problems. The TSB # 12-031 states they have to do a reprogram. Also Honda is still investigating this problem. Hope this helps.

[rocky]

Be great if you upload the TSB here.


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[AlphaOne]

And probably all related TSB issued so far.

[HenryBravo]

TSB 12-031 was issued around 9 months ago and there's a thread here about it, and post 148 has the PDF.

***************************
Date Reported MAY 19 2012
SYMPTOM

NOTE: While American Honda believes this software
update will repair the affected vehicles, the
investigation is ongoing, and the repair procedure may
be updated based on the results of the investigation.
The engine intermittently may not start properly with
one of the following symptoms:
• The engine cranks but does not start.
• The engine starts but stumbles before idling
normally.
• The engine cranks normally but takes longer than
usual to start.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Update the PGM-FI software.