Perhaps half the times I start my '05 MDX, it cranks and cranks for maybe 8-10 seconds before catching. Other times it catches right away. There are no running or idle problems. Has anyone else experienced this? What is the fix?

 

May be your starter. Does this happen mostly when its cold out?

 

^I agree. I've seen quite a few starters go bad on MDX.

 

It doesn't seem to matter what the engine temp or ambient temp may be. The engine turns over and the starter sounds good.

 

get the starter replaced at the dealer

Did you replace your battery yet?

 

happens on my dad's 03 all the time

 

need to check the battery & alternator maybe charging system is not enough voltage to charge the battery .

 

Same thing happened with my 05 MDX, it was the battery for me. I'd check that first.

 

I have the same problem with my girlfriend's 08 mdx and I am searching on here for answers ideas too.
Turn the key and battery and starter are fine just cranks for quite a few seconds and struggles to start. Starter catches and turns the motor over without issue and it cranks strong so not the battery. Other times it is like a carburated old chevy, click the key and running. Dealer was of zero use, said they could not reproduce the complaint yet it did it when she started it to leave. They commented there were no codes, grrrrr.

 

make a video of the problem and show it to the service dept. Also explain that it needs to be a cold start to replicate the problem, so leaving it overnight may be your best bet. Don't try to fix this yourself while the car is still under warranty