Starting System Acura MDX I

Scheme 2

Symptom Troubleshooting Index

SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING INDEX

Scheme 3

Starter Circuit Troubleshooting

Note. Air temperature must be between 59 and 100 °F (15 and 38 °C) during this procedure. After this inspection, you must reset the powertrain control module (PCM), using the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) (see HDS CLEAR COMMAND ), otherwise the PCM continues to stop the fuel injectors. The battery must be in good condition and fully charged.

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

1. Hook up the following equipment: Ammeter, 0-400 A Voltmeter, 0-20 V (accurate within 0.1 V)
2. Connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) (see step 2 on «GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/auxiliary-emission-control-systems/#fuel-and-emissions-systems) ).
3. Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and select PGM-FI, INSPECTION, then ALL INJECTORS OFF on the HDS.
4. With the shift lever in P or N position, turn the ignition switch to START (III). Did the starter crank the engine normally? YES - The starting system is OK. Go to step 11 . NO - Go to step 5.
5. Check the battery condition. Check electrical connections at the battery, negative battery cable to the body, engine ground cables, and the starter for looseness and corrosion. Then try starting the engine again. Did the starter crank the engine? YES - Repairing the loose connection fixed the problem. The starting system is now OK. Go to step 11 . NO - If the starter will not crank the engine at all, go to step 6. If it cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to step 9 . If it will not disengage from the torque converter ring gear when you release the key, check for the following until you find the cause. Solenoid plunger and switch malfunction Dirty drive gear or damaged overrunning clutch.
6. Make sure the transmission is in Park or Neutral, then disconnect the BLK/WHT wire (A) from the starter solenoid (B). Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive terminal to the solenoid terminal. Did the starter crank the engine? YES - Go to step 7. NO - Remove the starter, and repair or replace as necessary.
7. Check the following items in the order listed until you find the open circuit. The BLK/WHT wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the ignition switch, and between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the starter. The ignition switch (see «IGNITION SWITCH»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column-switches/#ignition-switch) ). The transmission range switch and connector, (see «TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH TEST»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission) ). The starter relay (see «POWER RELAY TEST»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/body-electrical/#relays__power-relay-test) ).
8. Check the cranking voltage and the current draw. Is the cranking voltage greater than or equal to 7.7 V and is the current draw less than or equal to 400 A? YES - Go to step 9. NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following until you find the cause. Drag in the starter armature Shorted armature winding Excessive drag in the engine
9. Check the engine speed while cranking the engine. Is the engine speed above 100 rpm? YES - Go to step 10. NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following until you find the cause. Open circuit in the starter armature commutator segments Excessively worn starter brushes Open circuit in the commutator brushes Dirty or damaged helical splines or drive gear Faulty drive gear clutch
10. Remove the starter, and inspect its drive gear, and the torque converter ring gear for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
11. Select PCM reset to cancel ALL INJECTORS OFF on the HDS (see «HDS CLEAR COMMAND»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/auxiliary-emission-control-systems/#fuel-and-emissions-systems__hds-clear-command) ).

Scheme 6

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the radio and the navigation system, then write down the customer's audio presets. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF.
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery first, then disconnect the positive cable.
3. Check the hold-in coil for continuity between the S terminal and the armature housing (ground). There should be continuity. If there is continuity, go to step 4. If there is no continuity, replace the solenoid.
4. Check the pull-in coil for continuity between the S terminal and M terminal. There should be continuity. If there is continuity, the solenoid is OK. If there is no continuity, replace the solenoid.
5. Connect the positive cable to the battery first, then connect the negative cable.
6. Enter the anti-theft codes for the radio and the navigation system.
7. Enter the customer's audio presets, and set the clock.
8. Do the power window unit reset procedure (see «RESETTING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/windows/#power-windows) ).

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

1. Disconnect the wire from the M terminal.
2. Make a connection (Scheme 7)using as heavy a wire as possible (preferably equivalent to the wire used for the vehicle). To avoid damaging the starter, never leave the battery connected for more than 10 seconds.
3. Connect the battery as shown. Make sure you disconnect the starter motor wire from the solenoid. If the starter pinion moves out, it is working properly.
4. Disconnect the negative battery terminal from the M terminal. If the pinion does not retract, the hold-in coil of the solenoid is working properly.
5. Disconnect the negative battery terminal from the starter body. If the pinion retracts immediately, it is working properly.
6. Clamp the starter firmly in a vise.
7. Reconnect the wire to the M terminal.
8. Connect the starter to the battery (Scheme 10), and check that the motor starts and keeps rotating.
9. If the electric current and motor speed meet the specifications when the battery voltage is at 11 V, the starter is working properly. Specifications Electric Current: 80 A or less Motor Speed: 1,180 rpm or more

Scheme 11

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the radio, and the navigation system, then write down the customer's audio presets. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF.
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery first, then disconnect the positive cable.
3. Remove the battery.
4. Remove the harness clamps (A).
5. Disconnect the starter cable (B) from the B terminal, then disconnect the BLK/WHT wire (C) from the S terminal.
6. Remove the two bolts holding the starter.

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

1. Check the seals (A) if they are damaged, go to step 2. if they are not damaged, go to step 4 .
2. Remove the seals, and clean the bonding surface with a sponge dampened in alcohol. Be careful not to wipe off the grease from the axis area (B). After cleaning. Keep oil, grease, and water from getting on the clean surface.
3. Install the starter (A), then install the harness clamps (B), and connect the B terminal (C) and BLK/ WHT wire (D). Make sure the crimped side of the B terminal is facing out.
4. Connect the positive cable to the battery first, then connect the negative cable.
5. Start the engine to make sure the starter works property.
6. Enter the anti-theft codes for the radio and the navigation system.
7. Enter the customer's audio presets.
8. Do the power window control unit reset procedure (see «RESETTING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/windows/#power-windows) ).
9. Set the clock.

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

Scheme 23

Scheme 24

Scheme 25

Scheme 26

Scheme 27

Scheme 28

Scheme 29

Scheme 30

1. Remove the starter (see «STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/starter/#starting-system) ).
2. Disconnect the wire from the M terminal, and remove the end cover.
3. Place a 29.4 mm (1.16 in.) outside diameter plastic pipe on the armature.
4. Move the brush holder (A) up to the pipe (B) while holding the pipe so the brushes do not pop out from the holder. Armature Inspection and Test
5. Disassemble the starter (Scheme 14)
6. Inspect the armature for wear or damage from contact with the permanent magnet. If there is wear or damage, replace the armature.
7. Check the commutator (A) surface. If the surface is dirty or burnt, resurface with emery cloth or a lathe within the following specifications, or recondition with #500 or #600 sandpaper (B).
8. Check the commutator diameter. If the diameter is out of the service limit, replace the armature. Commutator Diameter Standard (New): 29.3-29.5 mm (1.154-1.161 in.) Service Limit: 28.8 mm (1.134 in.)
9. Measure the commutator (A) runout. If the commutator runout is within the service limit, check the commutator for carbon dust or brass chips between the segments. If the commutator runout is not within the service limit, replace the armature. Commutator Runout Standard (New): 0.05 mm (0.002 in.) max. Service Limit: 0.1 mm (0.004 in.)
10. Check the mica depth (A). If the mica is too high (B), undercut the mica with a hacksaw blade to the proper depth. Cut away all the mica (C) between the commutator segments. The undercut should not be too shallow, too narrow, or V-shaped (D). Commutator Mica Depth Standard (New): 0.40-0.60 mm (0.016-0.024 in.) Service Limit: 0.20 mm (0.008 in.)
11. Check for continuity between the segments of the commutator. If there is an open circuit between any segments, replace the armature.
12. Place the armature (A) on an armature tester (B). Hold a hacksaw blade (C) on the armature core. If the blade is attached to the core or vibrates while the core is turned, the armature is shorted. Replace the armature.
13. Check for continuity between the commutator (A) and armature coil core (B), and between the commutator and armature shaft (C). If there is continuity, replace the armature. Starter Brush Inspection
14. Measure the brush length (A). If it is shorter than the service limit, replace the brush holder assembly. Brush Length Standard (New): 7.7-8.0 mm (0.30-0.31 in.) Service Limit: 0.9 mm (0.04 in.) Starter Brush Holder Test
15. Check for continuity between the (+) brush (A) and (-) brush (B). If there is continuity, replace the brush holder assembly. Planetary Gear Inspection
16. Check the planetary gears (A) and ring gear (B). Replace them if they are worn or damaged. Overrunning Clutch Inspection
17. Slide the overrunning clutch (A) along the shaft. Replace it if it does not slide smoothly.
18. Hold the overrunning clutch, and turn the drive gear (B) in the direction (Scheme 28)to make sure it turns freely. Also make sure the drive gear locks in the opposite direction. If it does not lock in either direction or it locks in both directions, replace it.
19. If the starter drive gear is worn or damaged, replace the overrunning clutch assembly; the gear is not available separately. Check the condition of the idler gear and drive plate ring gear to see if the starter drive gear teeth are damaged. Starter Reassembly
20. Install the armature into the housing.
21. Place the brush holder assembly on the armature, then move the brush holder (A) down to the armature.
22. Install the end cover to retain the brush holder.

See also:
• BATTERY TEST
• POWER RELAY TEST
• TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH TEST
• IGNITION SWITCH
• FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING
• FUEL LINE INSPECTION
• FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR REPLACEMENT
• THROTTLE BODY TEST
• ENGINE COMPRESSION INSPECTION
• HDS CLEAR COMMAND
• GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION
• RESETTING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT
• STARTER SOLENOID TEST