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Idle Stop - Randomly Turning off Engine at Stop Lights

5199 Views 59 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  whtmtn
I drive a 2019 w/ Tech Pkg with 50K mileage. It comes with Idle Stop. About once a day now, the Idle Stop engages, turns off engine as intended BUT then the Car shifts into Neutral and the engine fully dies. I'm left at stop lights or stop signs with a car that is off and will not restart. I'm so tired of this happening.

My dealership said that Acura acknowledged a similar issue on TLX and pushed a software update to fix Idle Stop. They gave me the Acura complaint phone number (LOL). Coming here to complain first...

Is anyone else having this issue? I'm now searching for a 2018 MDX to avoid any Idle Stop functionality. Yes, I know I can turn it off but I forget, and then have this issue. Very frustrating and not safe. I was almost rear ended today!
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After 3 visits and supposed battery replacement the dealer could not figure out the problem. One thing they said was that the type of battery Acura was using in these vehicles might not be strong enough. I resigned to always turning the auto shutoff off each time I drove the car. May never know what the real problem is but I suspect it may be the batteries they are using. I say supposedly changed my battery because I didn’t see much evidence around the engine(dust disturbance) that they had done it and I questioned it. The service rep was gone a few weeks later. Second the car does take more turns to start, particularly after sitting or in cold weather, more than a new car should and based on my experience of many years and new vehicles. Glad I don’t live too far north. 🙂
The TSB from Acura is only days old. So I suggest going back to the dealer to perform the fixes. The prior 3 visits were probably before Acura's fixes were published.
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My dealer said this problem has escalated to a full recall and did the software update to out 2019 MDX. We had it not restart on about 5 occasions. It’s very stressful trying to get it restarted in heavy traffic situations.

The software update completely disabled the start stop function. Not sure if that is really a fix for this problem.
Interesting. I have not been notified of any recall yet. 2019 MDX.
I guess my dealer took advantage of us saying it was a recall.
But after explaining the so called fix, I would recommend not doing this procedure if you want to retain the start stop function!
My assumption is that the startstop software was updated to require much higher battery charge state to ensure it won't stall upon restart. So should stop less, but I'm surprised if it never activates at all. May we worth asking the dealer.

There is a hidden sequence that permanently disables the software. I forget exact steps (google for it) but think if you open the hood with engine running it disables, and if you close the hood with the engine running it renables. Perhaps try closing the hood with your engine running to see if that is a quick fix before going to the dealer.
That’s what I was thinking but our battery tested over 600 cranking amps. Not so sure if that would be considered low. It’s been over a week driving over 59 miles a day and it never activates, we just get the unavailable message.

next time we’re at the dealer will see if they will warranty the battery.

I’ll try that hood open close trick too.
That’s what I was thinking but our battery tested over 600 cranking amps. Not so sure if that would be considered low. It’s been over a week driving over 59 miles a day and it never activates, we just get the unavailable message.

next time we’re at the dealer will see if they will warranty the battery.

I’ll try that hood open close trick too.
I would take it back to the dealer and ask them to demo idle start/stop functionality on your vehicle.
Also, I doubt if the vehicle can actually test the battery CCA before triggering idle stop. It must be using just voltage level hence vehicle fails to start if the battery is weak. Since it is a safety hazard, Acura must have totally disabled the feature since it has no way to figure out the condition of the battery.
I would take it back to the dealer and ask them to demo idle start/stop functionality on your vehicle.
Also, I doubt if the vehicle can actually test the battery CCA before triggering idle stop. It must be using just voltage level hence vehicle fails to start if the battery is weak. Since it is a safety hazard, Acura must have totally disabled the feature since it has no way to figure out the condition of the battery.
They claim the battery and starter is now under a 10 year warranty which seems crazy! But they insisted mine is good.
If you live in a part of the country where it's cold in winter (I live in MN) you will see a drop in battery charge.

I disable auto idle stop in winter because most of the time it's too cold to turn on and even when it does it's only on for maybe a couple minutes before restarting right away. Just pointless stress on starter and doesn't save any gas.

In summer when it's warm it stays on much longer and can make sense.

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If you live in a part of the country where it's cold in winter (I live in MN) you will see a drop in battery charge.

I disable auto idle stop in winter because most of the time it's too cold to turn on and even when it does it's only on for maybe a couple minutes before restarting right away. Just pointless stress on starter and doesn't save any gas.

In summer when it's warm it stays on much longer and can make sense.

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We’re in Florida, so the cold isn’t a factor 😝
My dealer said this problem has escalated to a full recall and did the software update to out 2019 MDX. We had it not restart on about 5 occasions. It’s very stressful trying to get it restarted in heavy traffic situations.

The software update completely disabled the start stop function. Not sure if that is really a fix for this problem.
I’ve had the software update completed this week. Idle stop has not activated once since. The battery is two years old, purchased from Honda so still under warranty. No issues starting the car from cold.
I asked about the latest TSB, and they didn’t appear to be familiar with it. I showed them. They said to see how the update worked. Agree that it looks like it’s just disabled it.


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I’ve had the software update completed this week. Idle stop has not activated once since. The battery is two years old, purchased from Honda so still under warranty. No issues starting the car from cold.
I asked about the latest TSB, and they didn’t appear to be familiar with it. I showed them. They said to see how the update worked. Agree that it looks like it’s just disabled it.


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Yup, ours hasn’t engaged once in nearly three weeks. When we do in I am going to ask about this so called fix. Not much of a fix in my opinion!
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I was experiencing the issue in one of my cars, and they were both recalled for the software update. Hasn't happened since; whether the update actually worked or just coincidence? Who knows.
Update on our MDX, the start stop has not worked once in weeks after the software update. Suddenly it decided to start working again. I have no idea why. We haven’t done anything other than just driving. It’s very odd.
My guess is it learns/calibrates battery drain before and after startup earch morn, and then after it has had time to learn it only stops when it thinks it is safe.

Its crazy how much learning the car does. Transmission learning is frequently documented. But one thing I noticed is that my friction to regen hybrid braking cutover was really harsh after my 3yr fluid flush, and became smooth after about a week as the car must have recalibrated that cutover point.
My guess is it learns/calibrates battery drain before and after startup earch morn, and then after it has had time to learn it only stops when it thinks it is safe.

Its crazy how much learning the car does. Transmission learning is frequently documented. But one thing I noticed is that my friction to regen hybrid braking cutover was really harsh after my 3yr fluid flush, and became smooth after about a week as the car must have recalibrated that cutover point.
My guess is it learns/calibrates battery drain before and after startup earch morn, and then after it has had time to learn it only stops when it thinks it is safe.

Its crazy how much learning the car does. Transmission learning is frequently documented. But one thing I noticed is that my friction to regen hybrid braking cutover was really harsh after my 3yr fluid flush, and became smooth after about a week as the car must have recalibrated that cutover point.
Since the SB work was done, 3-4 weeks ago, idle stop has not worked. I charged the battery to full, tested it and drove 50km. No change. Looks like it was just deactivated and I get reminded of that each time I stop.


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Can someone who has had this update done check to see if the engine still starts back up when you put the transmission into Park? I was reading about the 2019 Pilot, and I guess this feature was programmed into their software. Thanks!
Who here actually got their starter replaced and their valves adjusted because of this?
2019 with 44k miles
Might not be related, but I took my car in for this same issue (going dead at red lights) and they tell me it’s throwing codes that say the transmission needs replacing. (Under warranty thank goodness)
Maybe a coincidence but we will see. Waiting on the transmission to come in.
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