2005 Acura MDX ignition

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
orNeutralorthestarterwillnot
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
areverydimordonotcomeonat
all, the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ). If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly(seepage ).
268
274 257
268
80
CONT INUED
If Your Engine Won’t Start
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly Jump Starting
Emergency T owing T he Starter Operates Normally
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
267

If your vehicle battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes at least
three days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition to ON (II), without starting
the engine. The Malf unction
Indicator Lamp will come on f or 20
seconds. If it then goes of f , the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks 5
times, the readiness codes are not
set. If possible, do not take your
vehicle f or a state emissions test
until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to
f or more inf ormation (see page ).
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator could come on
because of a loose or missing f uel f ill
cap. Tighten the cap until it clicks at
least three times. Tightening the cap
will not turn the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
days of normal driving. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
294
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Malf unction Indicator L amp
State Emissions T esting
Readiness Code
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
273
If you keep driving with the
Malf unction Indicator Lamp on, you
can damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and the engine. Those repairs
may not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II), and as a
reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take the
vehicle to your dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully. Refer toon page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
243
222
Brake System Indicator
Emergency Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Brake System Indicator, Emergency Towing
274
Canada U.S.
Towing your vehicle with two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer.

If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pagesand , or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that device. The diagram f or
theinteriordriver’ssidefuseboxis
on the kick panel below the f use box.
Check those f uses f irst, but check all
the f uses bef ore deciding that a
blown f use is the cause. Replace any
blown f uses, and check if the device
works.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. Check each of the large f uses in
the primary under-hood f use box
by looking through the top at the
wire inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.
Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use boxes and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each one with the f use
puller provided in the primary
under-hood f use box.
4.
3.
1.
2 278 279
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
276
BLOWN
FUSE PULLER

Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle, and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems.................
Identif ication Numbers . 282
................................
Specif ications .284
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
Unif orm Tire Quality ..................................
Grading .286
.................................
Treadwear .286
......................................
Traction .286
.............................
Temperature .287
.................................
Tire Labeling .288 .......................
Emissions Controls .289
.....................
The Clean Air Act .289
Crankcase Emissions Control ....................................
System .289
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .289
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .289
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls . 290
....................
PGM-FI System .290
Ignition Timing Control ................................
System .290
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ...................
(EGR) System . 290
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .290
....................
Replacement Parts . 290
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 291
..............
State Emissions Testing . 292
T echnical Inf ormat ion
T echnical Inf ormation
281

The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation and three way catalytic
converter. These f our systems work
together to control the engine’s
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: air intake,
engine control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM)
uses various sensors to determine
how much air is going into the
engine. It then controls how much
f uel to inject under all operating
conditions.This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manif old. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/f uel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the f uel is
burned.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual f or more informa-
tion. The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
2
2
Emissions Cont rols
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI Syst emIgnit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
290

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 191
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 104
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 238
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 24
..............
Air Conditioning System . 106
.....................
Rear A/C Control .111
.........................................
Usage .107
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .108
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .252
......................................
Antif reeze .240
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .61, 209
...................................
Operation .209
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 131
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 81
................
Audio System . 112,118,123
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.........................
Automatic Lighting .75
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 146
..............
Automatic Transmission . 200
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .284
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 242.......................................
Shif ting .200
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 200
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 200
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 203
...........................
Automatic Wipers .72
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60, 272
............................
Jump Starting .268
..............................
Maintenance .257
............................
Specif ications .285
..............................
Bef ore Driving .185
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 21
.........................
Beverage Holders .102
..................................
Booster Seats .51
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 209
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 186
...........................................
Fluid .243
....................
Bulb Replacement .247
.........................................
Parking .94
.................
System Indicator . 61,274
........................
Wear Indicators .208 .............................
Braking System .208
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 186
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 76
........................
Brights, Headlights .74
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .247
..............................
Brake Lights .247
................
Front Parking Lights . 246
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 246
.................................
Headlights .245
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 248
.................................
Rear Bulbs .247
............................
Specif ications .285
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 246
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .245
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 190
.........................................
Gasoline .186
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 63
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement . 186
........................
Tank, Filling the .187
................
Gas Station Procedures . 187
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 69
...............................................
Fuel .68
...............................
Speedometer .68
.................................
Tachometer .68
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .214
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .214
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 200
......................................
Glove Box .102
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .214 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 245
.............................
HandsFreeLink .160
..............................
HFL Buttons .161
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
........................................
Headlights .74
........................................
Aiming .245
....................
Automatic Lighting .75
............
Daytime Running Lights . 76
..................
High Beam Indicator . 63
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 74
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 74
.........................
Reminder Chime .74
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 245
...................................
Turning on .74
...................................
Headphones .147
..............................
Head Restraints .88
.................................
Heated Mirror .96
.................................
Heaters, Seats .91
.....................
Heating and Cooling .106
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 74
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .156
.......................
Hood, Opening the .188
..................................................
Horn .70 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 282
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .79
...........................................
Switch .81
............
Timing Control System . 290
........................
Immobilizer System .80
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 60
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 61
....................................
A/T Temp .64
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .61
.................................
Brake Lamp .62
........................
Charging System .60
.............................
Cruise Control .63
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .63
...................................
High Beam .63
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 61
.....................................
Lights On .64
......................................
Low Fuel .63
........................
Low Oil Pressure .60
......................
Low Tire Pressure .66
...............
Maintenance Required . 67
Index
GHI
IV