2011 Acura MDX check engine light

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:●
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, 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. 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 552.
●
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. 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 566.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 541). You
can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 552).
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,
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 72).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
551
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

●
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer toStarting the
Engine on page 436.
●
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 560).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See Emergency Towing on
page 566. Jump Starting
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: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
If the Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting55210/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
426
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
.................................
138
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
175
AC Power Outlet
........................
176
Active Damper System
...............
478
Active Head Restraints
...............
151
AcuraLink
®(U.S. models
only)
.......................................
398
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.....................................
345
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
512
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
....
133
Advanced Airbags
........................
30
Airbag (SRS)
..........................
10, 26
Air Conditioning System
............
180
Rear A/C Control
....................
185
Air Outlets (Vents)
.....................
187
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
534, 535
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
418
Antifreeze
...................................
514 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator
............................
68, 456
Operation
................................
455
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
305
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.......................................
138
Audio System
......................
190, 209
Automatic Climate Control.........
181
Automatic Lighting Off Feature
...................................
130
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
23
Automatic Speed Control
...........
342
Automatic Transmission
............
437
Capacity, Fluid
........................
572
Checking Fluid Level
..............
517
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
................................
441
Shifting
...................................
438
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
437
Shift Lever Positions
...............
438
Shift Lock Release
...................
440
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
304 B
Battery
Charge Low
..............................
82
Charging System Indicator
........................
67, 556
Jump Starting
..........................
552
Maintenance
...........................
541
Specifications
..........................
573
Before Driving
...........................
417
Belts, Seat
................................
9, 21
Beverage Holders
......................
172
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
......................................
470
Bluetooth
®Audio
.......................
295
Bluetooth
®HandsFreeLink
®
......
362
Booster Seats
...............................
57
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

CoolantAdding
....................................
514
Checking
................................
422
Proper Solution
.......................
514
Temperature Gauge
.................
76
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
580
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
73
Cruise Control Operation
...........
342
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
73
Cup Holders
...............................
172
Customize Settings
......................
89
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 64
Daytime Running Lights
............
129
Dead Battery
..............................
552
Defogger, Rear Window
.............
131
Defrosting the Windows
............
184
Dimensions
................................
572
Dimming the Headlights
............
127
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
517 Engine Oil
...............................
422
Directional Signals
...............
69, 127
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
455
Disc Care
...................................
244
Disc Changer
.............................
200
Disc Changer Error Messages
...............................
208
Disc Player
..........................
200, 232
Disc Player Error Messages......
243
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
513
Doors Childproof Door Locks
............
140
Indicator
...................................
12
Locking and Unlocking
...........
139
Lockout Prevention
.................
140
Power Door Locks
..................
139
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
574
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
433
Economy
.................................
423
Driving Guidelines
.....................
434
Driving Position Memory System
...................................
166
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
...................................
441 Dust and Pollen Filter
................
528
DVD Player
................................
310
DVD Player Error Messages
......
334
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
423
Emergencies on the Road
..........
543
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
552
Brake System Indicator
.....
67, 558
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
545
Charging System Indicator
........................
67, 556
Checking the Fuses
................
560
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
544
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......
131
Jump Starting
..........................
552
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
67, 556
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
.............................
566
Overheated Engine
.................
554
Towing
....................................
566
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu

Emergency Brake
......................
163
Emergency Flashers
..................
131
Emergency Towing
....................
566
Emissions Controls
....................
580
Emissions Testing
......................
583
Engine Adding Engine Coolant
...........
514
Check Starting System
............
437
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
76
If it Won't Start
........................
551
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
67, 557
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
501
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
67, 556
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
511
Overheating
............................
554
Specifications
..........................
573
Speed Limiter
..........................
440
Starting
...................................
436
Engine Coolant
..........................
514
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
418
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
580
Exhaust Fumes
............................
60
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
...................................
581 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
19
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
183
Features
.....................................
179
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
528
Oil
...........................................
512
Flashers, Hazard Warning
.........
131
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
545
Floor Mats
.................................
529
Fluids
Automatic Transmission
.........
517
Brake
......................................
519
Location
..................................
509
Power Steering
........................
520
Windshield Washer
.................
516
FM Stereo Radio Reception
................................
300
Fog Lights
..................................
129
Folding the Second Seat
.............
152
Folding the Third Seat
...............
153
Four-way Flashers
......................
131 Front Airbags
.........................
10, 29
Front Seat
..................................
148
Adjusting
.................................
148
Air Ventilation
.........................
157
Heaters
...................................
156
Fuel
............................................
418
Economy
.................................
423
Fill Door and Cap
....................
419
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
Octane Requirement
...............
418
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
Manually
.............................
566
Reserve Indicator
.....................
75
Tank, Filling the
......................
419
Tighten Fuel Cap
....................
420
Fuel Economy
............................
423
Fuses, Checking the
..................
560
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
424
Gasoline
.....................................
418
Gauge
......................................
76
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
75
IndexIV10/06/29 11:59:04 11 ACURA MDX MMC North America Owner's M 50 31STX640 enu