Page 590 of 645

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position or on models with keyless
access system, press the engine
start/stop button to set START mode
(see page 194):●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
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position or on
models with keyless access system,
press the engine start/stop button to
set START mode (see page 194), you
do not hear the normal noise of the
engine trying to start. You may hear
a clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position or on models with
keyless access system, press the
engine start/stop button to set ON
mode (see page 194). Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting
on page 587.●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position or on models
with keyless access system, press
the engine start/stop button to set
START mode (see page 194). If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page 602.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
585
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 591 of 645

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal
connections (see page 573). You
can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 587).
The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position or
on models with keyless access
system, press the engine start/stop
button to set START mode (see page
194), 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 instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page 70).
On models with keyless access system●Do you have your keyless access
system remote with you? The
vehicle will not start without the
remote within operating range.
The vehicle will not start without
the remote within operating range
and with the keyless access main
switch in the glove box turned on.●Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 475.●Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.●There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see
page 596). If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See
Emergency Towing on
page 602.
NOTE: If you are unable to stop the
engine normally while in the Park
position, see Emergency Engine
Stop on page 200.
If the Engine Won't Start58609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 592 of 645

Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:1. Open the hood, and check the physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electricalaccessories: climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Park, and set the
parking brake.
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.
3. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive (+ ) terminal on your
vehicle's battery. Connect the
other end to the positive (+ )
terminal on the booster battery.BOOSTER BATTERY
CONTINUED
Jump Starting
587
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 594 of 645

The pointer of your vehicle's
temperature gauge should stay in the
midrange under most conditions. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason (hot day,
driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the hood.Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the temperature gauge comes
down to the midpoint, then
continue driving.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
589
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 596 of 645

This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page 458). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. 3. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 545).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
602).
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
591
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 601 of 645

The primary under-hood fuse box is
on the passenger's side. The
secondary fuse box is located next to
the battery.
To open it, push the tabs as shown.Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
you should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages
599, 600, and 601, or the diagram on
the fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that device. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is
the cause. Replace any blown fuses,
and check if the device works.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are off.
Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine
start/stop button instead of an
ignition switch. VEHICLE OFF
(LOCK) mode is the equivalent of
LOCK (0). See page 196 for
ignition switch and power mode
comparison.
2. Remove the cover from the fusebox.
3. Check each of the large fuses in the under-hood fuse boxes by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.FUSE BLOWN
Fuses59609/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 604 of 645

PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected1 120 A BATTERY 40 A Passenger's Side Fuse Box STD
2 - Not Used
- Not Used
30 A Headlight Washer
40 A Passenger's Side Fuse Box Option
30 A Right e-pretensioner
30 A Left e-pretensioner 3 50 A IG Main
40 A Sub Fan Motor- Not Used
60 A Driver's Fuse Box STD
40 A Main Fan Motor
30 A Driver's Light Main
30 A Wiper Motor - Not Used
4 40 A Heater Motor
5 30 A Passenger's Light Main
6 - Not Used
7 - Not Used
8 40 A Rear Defroster
9 7.5 A Trailer Turn/Stop Lights
10 15 A Stop & Horn
11 7.5 A Trailer Small Lights
12 30 A ADS
13 15 A IG Coil
14 15 A FI Sub
15 10 A Back Up
16 7.5 A Interior Light
17 15 A FI Main
18 15 A DBW
19 15 A Woofer
20 7.5 A MG Clutch
21 7.5 A Radiator Fan Timer
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected 1 40 A VSA Motor
2 20 A VSA FSR
3 - Not Used
4 - Not Used
5 30 A SH-AWD
6 40 A Power Tailgate Motor
7 20 A Tilt Steering Wheel
8 20 A Telescopic Steering Wheel
9 15 A Hazard
10 7.5 A Headlight Hi/Lo Solenoid
11 7.5 A Power Management System
12 7.5 A Smart Accessory
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
599
Taking Care of the Unexpected
09/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 605 of 645

13 20 A Rear Seat Heaters
14 20 A Sunshade
15 20 A Power Tailgate Closer
16- Not Used
17 - Not Used
18 - Not Used
19 - Not Used
20 - Not Used
21 - Not Used
22 - Not Used
INTERIOR FUSE BOX (Driver's Side)No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 7.5 A Front Seat Heaters and Seat Ventilation/Blind Spot
Information
ꭧ1
2 7.5 A SH-AWD/Headlight Adjuster
3 20 A Washer
4 7.5 A Wiper
5 7.5 A OPDS
6 7.5 A VSA
7 - Not Used
8 7.5 A STRLD
9 20 A Fuel Pump
10 10 A VB Solenoid 11 10 A SRS
12 7.5 A Meter
13 15 A ACG
14
- Not Used
15 7.5 A Daytime Running Lights
16 7.5 A Climate Control System
17 7.5 A Accessory Key Lock
ꭧ 2
18 7.5 A Accessory
19 20 A Left Power Seat Slide
20 20 A Panoramic Glass Roof
21 20 A Left Power Seat Reclining
22 20 A Rear Left Power Window
23 15 A Accessory Power Socket
(Console Box)
24 20 A Left Front Power Window
25 15 A Left Door Lock
26 10 A Left Front Fog Light
27 10 A Left Small Light (Exterior)
28 10 A Left Daytime Running Light
29 7.5 A TPMS
30 15 A Left Headlight
31 - Not Used
32 7.5 A STS
ꭧ 2
ꭧ1: On U.S. ADVANCE and Canadian ELITE
models
ꭧ 2: On BASE model
Fuse Locations60009/10/28 17:15:37 10 ACURA ZDX KA KC New North America Own 50 31SZN600 enu
ProCarManuals.com