2007 MDX starting by itself

Mahlei · 01-02-2013, 03:52 AM

We just purchased a used 2007 MDX and love it so far. My husband drove it to work tonight and just called me to say that he went out to the vehicle to get something, locked it, got about 10 feet away and it started by itself. It did this twice. It has not done this with me. We only got 1 key and I believe it is the valet key as there is no transmitter or remote of any kind. Is it possible there is a remote starter installed and malfunctioning in some way? We haven't yet gone to the dealer, but our salesman (whom we trust very much) gave us a new 5 yr/100000 mile warranty and I am hoping this will be covered. I just wanted to check and see if anyone else has had this issue, whether they knew the remote start was installed or not. I could not find this exact topic anywhere. Thank you!

symmetrical · 01-02-2013, 04:38 AM

Probably safe to say you guys bought a defective Autobot.

Kidding aside, it sounds like there might have been a remote starter installed.

lion9mdx · 01-02-2013, 10:59 AM

Most likely there is an aftermarket remote starter installed that's acting up (as they often do). If so, hopefully it was installed without too much cutting of the factory wiring, so that you can rip it out cleanly. As for the warranty, you'll have to check the fine print; I can easily imagine aftermarket accessories like this being excluded. By the way, one of your missing keys is probably installed with this system.

If this isn't the answer, it's possible that your ignition switch is malfunctioning.

Until this is resolved, you don't want to park in your garage. You could end up with carbon monoxide poisoning. If it's the ignition switch, you could even end up with a fire.

There's a decent chance that the previous owner dumped the car because of this issue, of course.

Not that it's my business, but I'm always surprised when someone buys a car (other than a junker) with missing keys and transmitters. I would have told the dealer that I'd only consider the car if those were replaced.

upstatedoc · 01-02-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lion9mdx

Not that it's my business, but I'm always surprised when someone buys a car (other than a junker) with missing keys and transmitters. I would have told the dealer that I'd only consider the car if those were replaced.

^^This. Something is sketchy.

Dominik-X · 01-02-2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lion9mdx

Most likely there is an aftermarket remote starter installed that's acting up (as they often do). If so, hopefully it was installed without too much cutting of the factory wiring, so that you can rip it out cleanly. As for the warranty, you'll have to check the fine print; I can easily imagine aftermarket accessories like this being excluded. By the way, one of your missing keys is probably installed with this system.

If this isn't the answer, it's possible that your ignition switch is malfunctioning.

Until this is resolved, you don't want to park in your garage. You could end up with carbon monoxide poisoning. If it's the ignition switch, you could even end up with a fire.

There's a decent chance that the previous owner dumped the car because of this issue, of course.

Not that it's my business, but I'm always surprised when someone buys a car (other than a junker) with missing keys and transmitters. I would have told the dealer that I'd only consider the car if those were replaced.

Totally agree with everything said.

gitchies · 01-08-2013, 11:40 PM

yes...agreed...i never buy any car without 2 master keys...when i bought my mdx, first question was how many keys....they looked in the envelope, there was 2 master keys..so then i was more inclined to go on with the process of buying the car.
it was bought from a honda dealer, and recently i just purchased acura extended care warranty...not sure what kind of warranty the op bought.

carli123 · 01-09-2013, 10:09 AM

I'm not trying to sound like a smart ass but what is the relationship of the value of the car and how it was cared for and the keys/key fobs? I'd be disappointed that a fob was missing, but it's not the end of the world if the car is otherwise well maintained and legitimate. I think there are much more important considerations when buying a late model car.

01-02-2013, 03:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mahlei Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 1	2007 MDX starting by itself We just purchased a used 2007 MDX and love it so far. My husband drove it to work tonight and just called me to say that he went out to the vehicle to get something, locked it, got about 10 feet away and it started by itself. It did this twice. It has not done this with me. We only got 1 key and I believe it is the valet key as there is no transmitter or remote of any kind. Is it possible there is a remote starter installed and malfunctioning in some way? We haven't yet gone to the dealer, but our salesman (whom we trust very much) gave us a new 5 yr/100000 mile warranty and I am hoping this will be covered. I just wanted to check and see if anyone else has had this issue, whether they knew the remote start was installed or not. I could not find this exact topic anywhere. Thank you!

01-02-2013, 04:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
symmetrical Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 274	Probably safe to say you guys bought a defective Autobot. Kidding aside, it sounds like there might have been a remote starter installed. __________________ 2008 Billet Silver MDX w/ 2010 front conversion 2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport (Wife's) 2003 Nissan 350Z TT (Retired Garage Queen)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

01-02-2013, 10:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
lion9mdx Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 505	Most likely there is an aftermarket remote starter installed that's acting up (as they often do). If so, hopefully it was installed without too much cutting of the factory wiring, so that you can rip it out cleanly. As for the warranty, you'll have to check the fine print; I can easily imagine aftermarket accessories like this being excluded. By the way, one of your missing keys is probably installed with this system. If this isn't the answer, it's possible that your ignition switch is malfunctioning. Until this is resolved, you don't want to park in your garage. You could end up with carbon monoxide poisoning. If it's the ignition switch, you could even end up with a fire. There's a decent chance that the previous owner dumped the car because of this issue, of course. Not that it's my business, but I'm always surprised when someone buys a car (other than a junker) with missing keys and transmitters. I would have told the dealer that I'd only consider the car if those were replaced.

01-08-2013, 11:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
gitchies Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 41	yes...agreed...i never buy any car without 2 master keys...when i bought my mdx, first question was how many keys....they looked in the envelope, there was 2 master keys..so then i was more inclined to go on with the process of buying the car. it was bought from a honda dealer, and recently i just purchased acura extended care warranty...not sure what kind of warranty the op bought.

01-09-2013, 10:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
carli123 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 131	I'm not trying to sound like a smart ass but what is the relationship of the value of the car and how it was cared for and the keys/key fobs? I'd be disappointed that a fob was missing, but it's not the end of the world if the car is otherwise well maintained and legitimate. I think there are much more important considerations when buying a late model car.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
MDXers.org Advertisement