I like to give all the details when explaining a problem but for those who don't care here is the problem...

The RDX will crank but will not start. I uploaded a video to YouTube so you can see/hear the problem for yourself.


Now for those who want all the details let me start from the beginning because I think this could all be important information.

I started a thread because I was having issues with my starter. I successfully removed the starter, cleaned it up real good, tested it, and re-installed it (did not replace it). Since then the starter has worked fine and sounded stronger than ever. You can hear it in the video cranking away. I bought the car from a private dealer who got it from an auction. It wasn't until when I got home I realized that the rear wiper wasn't working. I've had the car for a while but decided to go out and see what was wrong with it. I removed the access panel on the hatch and found that the motor was simply unplugged. I plugged it back in and turned the car on (didn't start it). As soon as it got power it was wiping away but it wouldn't turn off! I turned the car off and this time decided I was going to start the car to see if it would magically fix itself. I went to start the cart and it wouldn't start. It was doing exactly what you see in the video on YouTube, consistently. My focus went from the wiper motor to this of course larger issue. I can tell you now that the wiper motor is no longer always on and actually cannot even be turned on. I'm not sure at what point it stopped working but I can tell you that I never unplugged it. Again, my focus was on the larger issue of the car not starting. I seriously doubt it is related but I figured it is worth mentioning because that is the only thing that happened in between the car working and not working.

I have tested all relays and fuses. Each spark plug I removed, inspected, and tested. Each ignition coil is sending a strong spark but here is an observation. The starter is turning the engine because you can see the serpentine moving while attempting to start. While testing the ignition coils (one at a time) out of the engine with a spare spark plug inserted into the coil I started the engine to see if the coil(s) were sending spark to start the engine. Sometimes the coil would fire and sometimes it would not. I swapped coils to another cylinder and same thing. No coil never consistently failed. At some point, they all fired but never at the same time. I believe you need all four to fire to be able to successfully start the car. After seeing this I replaced the crankshaft position sensor and both camshaft position sensors. There is fuel being delivered to the rail. I pulled the ignition relay and gave the engine a few cranks to "flood" the engine with fuel. This caused the engine to want to turn over more but it would still die out. I've put my ear up to the gas tank while turning on the car and I can hear the pump starting. After all of this, still the same problem. In fact, the video I uploaded to YouTube is after that work being done. There is no check engine light and also there seems to be no activity on the dash besides the back light that illuminates the cluster. I have an OBDII reader and there are no codes being produced.

If this were your car, what would you do next? Even feel free to tell me what you would go back and test or check again.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hm. interesting problem. I think it might be your ignition switch. Have you tried turning the key to just the "on" position without actually trying to start it? I'm looking at your video and noticed that the dummy lights never come on from when you insert the key to until the starter starts turning. So its like the car computer doesn't know that you are trying to run the engine, when you crank its just a switch(to turn the starter on) but once you release the key it is supposed to go to the "on" position and the car keeps running but in your case the car thinks you are cranking the engine but turning the key off right away.
I think this could actually be related to your rear wiper problem. Could be the wiper switch got messed up and somehow screwed up the ignition switch or something(there was a TSB about the wiper/sprayer switch corroding). But in any case if I were you, I would be taking a real close look at the ignition switch.

 

Just looked at your video again, on the 2nd attempt I can hear you are leaving the key in the "on" position but I see no lights. So somehow the car computer is not getting the signal that the key is in the "on" position. This probably explains why your rear wiper is not going crazy....cuz the wipers only run when the ignition is in the "on" position.

 

The above sounds promising...I'd also recommend re-checking any ground wires you may have removed when you did the starter and other parts to ensure they're still in place with a clean connection. A bad ground in the electrical system can definitely prevent a car from firing up, as well as cause any number of other electrical issues.

 

I forgot to mention that I previously tested the ignition switch in each key position and it tested fine. I actually decided anyways to go and buy another ignition switch and try it out, still same problem. I can check the ground on the starter.

 

You have some other electrical issue with the car then. Like I said, when you turn the ignition switch to "on", all the dummy lights should light up on your dash. In your video, none of the lights come on so I still think the car is not getting the signal that the engine should be running.
Have you tried unplugging the rear windshield wiper?

 

Also, maybe the switch itself is fine but the wiring might be messed up due to corrosion or some other damage. Best way to check would be if you can test it at the ecu.

 

I've got a similar issue as well. My 09 will fire up though. Depending on how recently the vehicle was driven will determine how it is to start.

Quite often it will turn over 10 or more times before it fires up. When the engine is cold though, this problem is gone.
I don't mean to hijack but this issue has been there since we bought it a few months back. Brought it to the non-acura dealer, and they cannot figure it out either.

It almost seems to be flooding. During a recent oil change, I noticed the oil smelt quiet gassy. Thoughts?

 

I had recently done a remote starter install on my vehicle, and while testing and setting up the bypass, it would do the same thing at times.

The starter would engage, but the engine would not fire up.

At this time, it was the immobilizer interfering with startup as part of it's normal operation, as soon as I had everything configured the engine started as normal.

I would definitely have a look underneath the steering column and check for things like grounds and also anything to do with the immobilizer, check plugs make sure everything's plugged in right.

My situation sounded exactly like yours, only difference is I would get the dummy lights and more specifically the green one signaling immobilizer key not detected.

 

You describe an issue I had on a car way back. It turned out to be a leaking fuel pressure regulator. Car would fire up quickly if it was "overnight" cold or if I had just turned if off for a few minutes, but anything from 10 minutes to a couple hours of sitting and it was extended cranking and bogging when it eventually fired.

 

After several months my issue has been resolved. It turned out to be a bad injector. It was allowing too much fuel. It has been replaced for a few days now, and no problems. Thanks everyone for any suggestions.