Cheap Starter?

[WirelessVic]

When a solution is found please let me know.

[Type JDM]

Honda

[BMWRT]

Same here. The Pilot has 800 Miles on it. I drove my inlaws Pilot yesterday and both times it seems the starter stays engauge and doesn't release. I had to turn the key off and re start. She told me the car has this problem since new and she thought it was normal I need to book a trip for repairs. I hope Honda has a fix for this by now.

Thanks,

Alex

[charly]

Wow, and all this time I thought it was just mine....mine too is doing this....

[GoHerd]

My 2012 Touring did this one time with less than 1k miles. Kinda bothered me but it hasn't returned since. Now at 5500k. Will keep my ears tuned for a repeat.

I must say though that the pilot has a rather satisfying sound and feel when it cranks.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[LurkersCorner]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

Do you touch the gas peddle when getting in or starting?

Hi N_Jay,

I do not touch or do anything other than turn the key.

- lurker

[LurkersCorner]

I just want to add that I got a call from my dealership about my Honda survey responses and while I was talking with him I told him about this starter issue. He said to bring it in and they would have a look at it in their shop. He asked how many times it has happened, when it has happened, etc. but I said I don't really remember all the details. I asked what they could do and they said they could hook up the car and talk to the computer to find out when it has happened, how many times, and what the circumstances were. I said fine I'll bring it in if he sets me up with an appointment right on the phone (which he did) so I have an appointment for Saturday afternoon (but I may have to move it earlier because of my nephew's birthday party).

I'll post back here on the results of this computer diagnostic thing when I get it hopefully sometime on Saturday.

- lurker

[JulieWi]

I had this happen 3 times in the past few weeks, both cold and normal temps. Here is the "response" I got from the dealer....
He said that Honda stands by the fact that this is normal for the 2012's.
He said I should just let it crank and that it can take up to 10 seconds to engage. It may be detecting high emmission levels caused by the ethanol in the gas that I use.

Not loving this!

[LurkersCorner]

OK I brought my Pilot to the dealer shop and asked them to check it out. I said I wasn't sure if it was an operator issue (me!) or an issue with the vehicle itself.

They checked it out and state in writing: "Could not duplicate concern at this time, performed battery and starting system test and all is OK at this time". They also performed a general vehicle inspection and found no issues (other than refilling my windshield washer fluid because it was running low). All of this was done free of charge and took about an hour.

What the service guy said was that it's good to bring it in when you have these type of issues because it's a new vehicle under warranty so if it happens again later they have a record of the first time you reported the issue, it helps your case if you want to make a warranty claim on it.

I haven't personally experienced the issue *knock on wood* since I began performing the following starting sequence:

1) put the key into the ignition slot
2) turn the key to the position where the beeping starts & lights on the dash come on (I think this is the second position) and stop there
3) wait for beeping sound to finish and almost all the lights on the dash to turn off
4) turn the key all the way until I felt the physical stop (the "bottom"), then let go of the key

I've been doing the above sequence for about a week and a half and so far so good *knock on more wood*

I should add that I ALWAYS TURN OFF AND UNPLUG EVERYTHING before I turn the vehicle off, that includes the radio, the climate control, etc. So when I start the vehicle, nothing is on or plugged in. (This is true for every vehicle I have ever driven, including rentals)

If anyone finds out more about this please post!

- lurker

[m carter]

I called Honda Customer Service and complained about the starter issue...on a brand new car. I have a claim #. The more new car owners that call in to complain might get us a fix...maybe!!!

[m carter]

New starting method...treat it like a diesel!!!? 1) Place foot hard on the brake. 2) Put key in and turn to switch position 2 wait til dash lights...and beeps go off. 3) Don't crank it...Turn the key back off and repeat step 2...then turn key to cranking position. A firm turn of the key til it stops and let off. Cranked up like a charm.
It may need the fuel pump primed...putting more fuel pressure in the lines to help it crank. Like letting the glow plugs warm up in a diesel. Maybe one day Honda can fix the problem...or it fixes itself. This method has worked for me alot. It sucks very much...It is my brand new car!!!??? I have had 3 MDX's and the is my 3rd Pilot...what has is Honda doing wrong? Good luck fellow Pilot owners.

[jkochis]

Originally Posted by m carter

New starting method...treat it like a diesel!!!? 1) Place foot hard on the brake. 2) Put key in and turn to switch position 2 wait til dash lights...and beeps go off. 3) Don't crank it...Turn the key back off and repeat step 2...then turn key to cranking position. A firm turn of the key til it stops and let off. Cranked up like a charm.
It may need the fuel pump primed...putting more fuel pressure in the lines to help it crank. Like letting the glow plugs warm up in a diesel. Maybe one day Honda can fix the problem...or it fixes itself. This method has worked for me alot. It sucks very much...It is my brand new car!!!??? I have had 3 MDX's and the is my 3rd Pilot...what has is Honda doing wrong? Good luck fellow Pilot owners.

I would like a "Poll" on how many Wife's would apply this technique to start the Pilot... I know my wife would not.

[m carter]

+1 for my wife not wanting to do it...LOL.

[bpmoen77]

Originally Posted by m carter

New starting method...treat it like a diesel!!!? 1) Place foot hard on the brake. 2) Put key in and turn to switch position 2 wait til dash lights...and beeps go off. 3) Don't crank it...Turn the key back off and repeat step 2...then turn key to cranking position. A firm turn of the key til it stops and let off. Cranked up like a charm.
It may need the fuel pump primed...putting more fuel pressure in the lines to help it crank. Like letting the glow plugs warm up in a diesel. Maybe one day Honda can fix the problem...or it fixes itself. This method has worked for me alot. It sucks very much...It is my brand new car!!!??? I have had 3 MDX's and the is my 3rd Pilot...what has is Honda doing wrong? Good luck fellow Pilot owners.

What's next? Throw a little salt over your shoulder and do a little dance? LOL! I'd like to:

1. get in car
2. turn key
3. car starts

[rocky]

Bpmoen: you need to find a 4 leaf clover before every start.

Maybe it's time to demand you money back. There is no way Honda can claim this vehicle is fit for the purpose if it won't start.