Idle Stop - Randomly Turning off Engine at Stop Lights

5200 Views 59 Replies 22 Participants Last post by whtmtn, 2 d ago

elizabethmurphy22

Discussion Starter · 11 mo ago

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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gwilki

· #41 · 3 mo ago

I just took delivery of a 2020 MDX tech plus. I traded my 2013. The idle stop "feature" is still active on mine. I try to remember to turn it off each time that I start the car. I've read all this thread, but I'm a bit confused.
Can someone please tell me the Canadian TSB number that gets this turned off permanently? If this is not a TSB, but merely a warranty job, please explain.

Thank you

Seawall

· #42 · 3 mo ago

gwilki said:
I just took delivery of a 2020 MDX tech plus. I traded my 2013. The idle stop "feature" is still active on mine. I try to remember to turn it off each time that I start the car. I've read all this thread, but I'm a bit confused.
Can someone please tell me the Canadian TSB number that gets this turned off permanently? If this is not a TSB, but merely a warranty job, please explain.

Thank you

A Technical Service Bulletin is just that - a bulletin for dealership techs to help them diagnose a common problem. The system was designed to be on at all times, unless manually disabled for that particular drive. There is not a TSB to permanently disable the system, because the intended behavior is to only allow the driver to turn off the system for short periods.

That said, there is a TSB for the system not automatically restarting the car after stopping, but I don’t think that’s what you’re asking about here.

if you want to permanently disable the system, you’ll need a third party hack. Here is an example: Home | Idlestopper

gwilki

· #43 · 3 mo ago

Thank you, Seawall. Understood.

pauwas

· #44 · 3 mo ago

There may be an aftermarket device that can be added to completely shut down the auto start feature. I briefly looked into it as I am considering a 2020 model and I despise the auto start and having to disable it at the beginning of every Drive

Seawall

· #45 · 3 mo ago

pauwas said:
There may be an aftermarket device that can be added to completely shut down the auto start feature. I briefly looked into it as I am considering a 2020 model and I despise the auto start and having to disable it at the beginning of every Drive

There is. I posted a link to it in the post just above yours.

bobby2478

· #46 · 2 mo ago

For those that have had the software update done, after allowing it a week or two to "learn", do you notice whether auto idle stop still works? Or as was reported above, is it basically just permanently disabled and doesn't engage anymore after the update?

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

Toke

· #47 · 2 mo ago

bobby2478 said:
For those that have had the software update done, after allowing it a week or two to "learn", do you notice whether auto idle stop still works? Or as was reported above, is it basically just permanently disabled and doesn't engage anymore after the update?

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

Mine hasn’t activated since the update on January.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

whtmtn

· #48 · 2 mo ago

16MDXer said:
Who here actually got their starter replaced and their valves adjusted because of this?

I went in for the recall and it was just a “software update” which did not fix my problem. I now will take it back in for the next solution which may be the valve adjustment. I really hate to do it but others drive my car and are afraid of the shifts to neutral/stalls.

whtmtn

· #49 · 1 mo ago

The saga continues. The dealer claims to have done the recall work and tsb valve adjustment but it did not fix the issue. They now can replicate the problem. They are now replacing the engine harness. This is probably the worst new car experience I have ever had. Will post again if this fixes the issue.

datechboss101

· #50 · 1 mo ago

whtmtn said:
The saga continues. The dealer claims to have done the recall work and tsb valve adjustment but it did not fix the issue. They now can replicate the problem. They are now replacing the engine harness. This is probably the worst new car experience I have ever had. Will post again if this fixes the issue.

How many miles does yours have. Not sure if it can still qualify as a lemon or a manufacturer buy back.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

whtmtn

· #51 · 1 mo ago

datechboss101 said:
How many miles does yours have. Not sure if it can still qualify as a lemon or a manufacturer buy back.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

About 45K miles so probably not. It’s a 2019. It’s a silly problem really with the idle stop. I could have tried the disable process some were recommending and be done with it but didn’t want to void any warranty. Also wanted Acura to fix the issue.

dixanms

· #52 · 16 d ago

bobby2478 said:
For those that have had the software update done, after allowing it a week or two to "learn", do you notice whether auto idle stop still works? Or as was reported above, is it basically just permanently disabled and doesn't engage anymore after the update?

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

I did the recall software update about 1 week ago in my 2016 MDX Adv. The feature has worked after that.
A few days earlier I had experienced the defect of having the engine disabled after a red light stop. After about 15 mins trying to get out of that situation, the engine finally started, otherwise, I'd have to tow and the money-saving feature would have cost me more than what it probably would have saved in fuel cost in all its life.

Reactions: 1

svmtracking

· #53 · 8 d ago

elizabethmurphy22 said:
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!

It just happened to me today on my 2020 MDX. <20k miles.

whtmtn

· #54 · 8 d ago

My car has been at the dealer for three weeks now while they try to figure it out (5th visit for same problem). They told me had to get an Acura technical rep to come to the dealer to help them. So, whatever the problem is, it isn’t an easy fix.

Toke

· #55 · 7 d ago

Toke said:
Mine hasn’t activated since the update on January.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ve subsequently changed the 2 year battery, as the dealer thought that’s why it wasn’t working. No change. Still hasn’t activated

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Superred2

· #56 · 3 d ago

It just doesn't save that much gas... I purchased idlestopper and installed it because I didn't like the wear and tear starting and stopping was doing to the car. 4 seconds after startup, it automatically disables the feature. Never shuts off... ever. And no TSB to chase.

whtmtn

· #57 · 3 d ago

How easy is that to install?

Superred2

· #58 · 3 d ago

whtmtn said:
How easy is that to install?

I just followed this video to do it. I think it was around $80 bucks.

EbonyGraph

· #59 · 3 d ago

Crazy thought... I know I will get some yelling....

If you look at parts list, there is a brake booster pressure sensor(46401-TV0-E01) on models equipped with Auto idle stop/start technology. What if we simply disconnect the sensor, will that disable idle stop? Why spend an extra $80-100 and go through the process of disabling idle stop/start.

I doubt if any other safety features available on MDX relies on brake booster pressure sensor because all other safety features(ABS, VSC etc) are standard on base model as well. LKS, RDMS, CMBS, ACC all use camara, radar for functioning.

whtmtn

· #60 · 2 d ago

Conclusion: Well after dealing with this issue off and on for the past two years with the dealer, it turns out I was correct with my first instinct that the problem had something to do with the fuel pump replacement recall. The dealer finally diagnosed the issue as a improperly sealed O ring from the fuel pump that they admitted was their fault. This diagnosis took about a month to figure out because, as I discussed with the service manager, they went through all of the other bulletins and recommendations for the idle stop fix. Unfortunately this delayed their ultimate finding but they were kind enough to provide a loaner car for 30 days while they figured it out. The frustrating part was that I had requested they look at the fuel pump install almost from day one which is when the problem started. The O ring allows for a vacuum seal in the line and if not sealed properly the vacuum cannot be created. Glad it's behind me and thank you to all who chimed in on the various posts. It's nice to have a community that comes together to discuss various issues and concerns. The good news is I got a new battery and wire harness out of it all and the work was all done under warranty. Good luck to all who have had this problem and I will assume mine is finally taken care of for good.

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