Starting System Acura RDX I

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Symptom Troubleshooting Index

SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING INDEX

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Starter System Circuit Troubleshooting

Special Tools Required

Alternator, Regulator, Battery & Starter tester OTC3131 Available through the Acura Tool and Equipment Program 888-424-6857

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). Otherwise, the PCM will continue to stop the fuel injectors from functioning. The battery must be in good condition and fully charged.

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1. Connect the alternator, regulator, battery & starter tester (OTC3131) to the battery as shown. Ammeter, 0 - 400 A Voltmeter, 0 - 20 V (accurate within 0.1 V) NOTE: The probe is not used for battery testing.
2. Do the BATTERY TEST Does the display indicate GOOD or LOW CHARGE? YES - The battery is OK. Go to step 3. NO -If the tester indicates BAD BATTERY, replace the battery, then retest. If the tester indicates CHARGE & RETEST, charge the battery, then retest.
3. Connect the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) to the data link connector (DLC) (see step 2 on «HOW TO USE THE HDS (HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM)»(ref-293929-S16884164212008081100000) ).
4. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
5. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the PCM. If it doesn't, troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see «DLC CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/testing-diagnostics/#pgm-fi-system__dlc-circuit-troubleshooting) ).
6. Select PGM-FI, INSPECTION, then ALL INJECTORS OFF on the HDS.
7. Set the parking brake, then with the shift lever in the P or N position, turn the ignition switch to START (III). Does the starter crank the engine normally? YES - The starting system is OK. Go to step 15. NO - Go to step 8.
8. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
9. Check the electrical connections at the battery, the negative battery cable to the body, the engine ground cables, and the starter for looseness and corrosion. Then try cranking the engine again. Does the starter crank the engine normally? YES - Repairing the loose connection corrected the problem. The starting system is OK. Go to step 15 . NO - Based on the following symptoms, take the appropriate action: If the starter will not crank the engine at all, go to step 10. If the starter cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to step 12 . If the starter does not disengage from the torque converter ring gear when you release the key, replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it and check for the following: Solenoid plunger and switch malfunction Dirty drive gear or damaged overrunning clutch
10. Make sure the shift lever is in the P or N position, and set the parking brake. Disconnect the connector from the starter solenoid S terminal. Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive terminal to the solenoid terminal. Does the starter crank the engine? YES - Go to step 9. NO - Remove the starter, and repair or replace as necessary.
11. Check the following items in the order listed until you find the open circuit: NOTE: After the open circuit or high resistance in the circuit is found and repaired, go to step 13. The YEL wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the ignition switch. The RED and BLK/WHT wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the starter. The ignition switch (see «TEST»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/ignition-switchsteering-lock/#ignition-switch__test) ). The transmission range switch and connector. The starter cut relay (see «POWER RELAY TEST»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/body-electrical/#relays__power-relay-test) ).
12. Connect alternator, regulator, battery & starter tester (OTC3131) to the battery.
13. Do the STARTING TEST. Does the display indicate cranking voltage greater than or equal to 8.0 V and is the current draw less than or equal to 375 A? YES - Go to step 14. NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check the following until you find the problem: Drag in the starter armature Short in the armature winding Excessive drag in the engine Open circuit in starter armature commutator segments Excessively worn starter brushes Open circuit in the starter brushes Dirty or damaged helical splines or drive gear Faulty drive gear clutch
14. Remove the starter, and inspect its drive gear and the torque converter ring gear for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
15. Select PCM reset (see «HDS CLEAR COMMAND»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/auxiliary-emission-control-systems/#fuel-and-emissions-systems__hds-clear-command) ) to cancel ALL INJECTORS OFF on the HDS.

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1. Remove the starter (see «STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/starter/#starting-system) ).
2. Connect a fully charged battery to the starter for this test using the thickest (gauge) wire possible (preferably the same gauge as used on the vehicle). NOTE: To avoid damaging the starter, never leave the battery connected for more than 10 seconds.
3. Connect the battery as shown, and check for continuity between the B terminal and the starter body. If there is continuity, it is working properly.
4. Disconnect the battery from the body, and check for continuity between the B terminal and the starter body. If there is no continuity, it is working properly.
5. Firmly clamp the starter in a vise.
6. Connect the starter to the battery as shown, and check that the motor turns and keeps rotating.
7. If the electric current meets the specification when the battery voltage is at 11.5 V, the starter is working properly.

Specification

Electric Current: 80 A or less

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1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the audio system and the navigation system (if equipped). Make sure the ignition switch OFF.
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
3. Remove the clip (A), then remove the coolant reservoir (B) from the holder.
4. Remove the clips (A), then remove the support rod clamp bracket (B).
5. Disconnect the A/C condenser fan motor connector (A), then remove the A/C condenser fan shroud assembly (B).
6. Remove the harness clamp (A) and connector (B), then remove the intake manifold bracket (C).
7. Disconnect the starter cable (A) from the B terminal, then disconnect the connector (B) from the S terminal.
8. Remove the harness clamps (C), then remove the starter.

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1. Install the starter, then install the starter cable (A) and connector (B). Make sure the starter cable crimped side of the ring terminal faces away from the starter when you connect it.
2. Install the harness clamps (C).
3. Install the intake manifold bracket (A), then install the harness clamp (B) and connector (C).
4. Install the A/C condenser fan shroud assembly (A), then connect the A/C condenser fan motor connector (B).
5. Install the support rod clamp bracket (A), then install the clips (B).
6. Install the coolant reservoir.
7. Connect the negative cable to the battery.
8. Start the engine to make sure the starter works properly.
9. Enter the anti-theft code for the audio system and the navigation system (if equipped).
10. Set the clock (on vehicles without navigation).

Starter Overhaul

Disassembly/Reassembly

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Armature Inspection and Test

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1. Remove the starter (see «STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/starter/#starting-system) ).
2. Disassemble the starter as shown at the beginning of this procedure.
3. Inspect the armature for wear or damage from contact with the permanent magnet. If there is wear or damage, replace the armature.
4. Check the commutator (A) surface. If the surface is dirty or burnt, resurface it with an emery cloth or a lathe to the specifications in step 5, or recondition with #500 or #600 sandpaper (B).
5. Check the commutator diameter. If the diameter is below the service limit, replace the armature. Commutator Diameter Standard (New): 28.0 - 28.1 mm (1.102 - 1.106 in.) Service Limit: 27.5 mm (1.083 in.)
6. 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): 0.02 mm (0.001 in.) max. Service Limit: 0.05 mm (0.002 in.)
7. 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 - 0.50 mm (0.016 - 0.020 in.) Service Limit: 0.15 mm (0.006 in.)
8. Check for continuity between the segments of the commutator. If there is an open circuit between any of the segments, replace the armature.
9. Place the armature (A) on an armature tester (B). Hold a hacksaw blade (C) on the armature core. If the blade is attracted to the core or vibrates while the core is turned, the armature is shorted. Replace the armature.
10. Use an ohmmeter to check for continuity between the commutator (A) and the armature coil core (B), and between the commutator and the armature shaft (C). If there is continuity, replace the armature. Starter Brush Inspection
11. Measure the brush length. If it is shorter than the service limit, replace the brush holder assembly. Brush Length Standard (New): 11.1 - 11.5 mm (0.44 - 0.45 in.) Service Limit: 4.3 mm (0.17 in.) Starter Brush Holder Test
12. Check for continuity between the (+) brush (A) and (-) brush (B). If there is continuity, replace the brush holder assembly. Planetary Gear Inspection
13. Check the planetary gears (A) and internal ring gear (B). Replace them if they are worn or damaged. Overrunning Clutch Inspection
14. While holding the drive gear (A), turn the gear shaft (B) counterclockwise. Check that the drive gear comes out to the other end. If the drive gear does not move smoothly, replace the gear cover assembly.
15. While holding the drive gear, turn the gear shaft clockwise. The gear shaft should turn freely. If the gear shaft does not turn freely, replace the gear cover assembly.
16. 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 torque converter ring gear to see if the starter drive gear teeth are damaged. Starter Reassembly
17. Install the brush into the brush holder, and set the armature (A) in the brush holder (B). NOTE: To seat the new brushes, slip a strip of #500 or #600 sandpaper, with the grit side up, between the commutator and each brush, and smoothly turn the armature. The contact surface of the brushes will be sanded to the same contour as the commutator.
18. While squeezing a spring (C), insert it in the hole on the brush holder, and push it until it bottoms. Repeat this for the other three springs (D, E, and F).
19. Install the armature and brush holder assembly into the housing.

Note. Make sure the armature stays in the holder.

See also:
• BATTERY TEST
• POWER RELAY TEST
• TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH TEST
• TEST
• GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION
• SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION
• FUEL PRESSURE TEST
• FUEL LINE INSPECTION
• FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT
• THROTTLE BODY TEST
• ENGINE COMPRESSION INSPECTION
• DLC CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING
• HDS CLEAR COMMAND
• STARTER SYSTEM CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING
• STARTER OVERHAUL
• STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION