Immobilizer Not Recognizing Key Sometimes

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Old 05-21-2009, 07:30 PM
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Immobilizer Not Recognizing Key Sometimes

I've posted a few times before regarding this same problem but I think I have since narrowed it down to the immobilizer.

Here are the symptoms. I will sporadically have difficulty starting my car. I place the key in the ignition and turn, the engine cranks but it will not start. I have now noticed that the green immobilizer light will blink, indicating that it cannot read the code, so I believe that its cutting off the fuel pump. This problem is almost always associated with hot summer days. I never once had an issue during the cool dry winter months.

I've search the message boards and found others with immobilize trouble. Those posts describe their problem as continuous and narrowed it down to a blown fuse. I've checked the fuses for the ECU and the ignition coil and both are still good. I also made sure that all fuses where tight seated in their socket incase the hot humid weather was cause a small expansion of the fuse socket breaking contact.

I am hesitant to bring it to the dealer because it most likely will not act up that day and I would be giving them a blank signed check to replace whatever they feel.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Old 05-21-2009, 11:10 PM
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What year is your TSX?

Where is this green immobilizer light located? The same place you put the key in?

I have a 2005 TSX. I think for 2005 and forward, Acura changed the color of this light to blue.

I did not know this light was called an immobilizer light and that it will blink when it does not recognize your key.
Old 05-21-2009, 11:41 PM
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Thumbs up

There should be 2 PGM-FI relays located in the interior fuse panel one is for the fuel pump cut off and the other is the main PGM relay, jiggle those 2 relays while the key is in the on position or cranking and see if that does anything. I had the same problem with a 2007 Odyssey about 2 months ago. The car would not start when it was cold, only when it got warmer or the main relay would catch sometimes. Best of luck!
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Old 05-22-2009, 02:02 AM
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Read page 6 on the TSB below.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/B060800.PDF
Old 05-22-2009, 06:49 AM
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This is an 2005 TSX auto.

I read over the service bulletin and it seems to indicate that this could be due to a weak battery. My battery is brand new, though its not Honda OEM. It's only about a month old.

I'll keep an eye on the fuses as well.

I am tempted to bring it to the dealership......

Thanks for the replys.
Old 05-22-2009, 08:20 AM
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I would bring it to the dealer so they can perform the immobilizer diagnostics, as it requires a special tool.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/B050700.PDF
Old 05-22-2009, 08:41 AM
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JTso...thanks for all the really good info. Can anyone search the Service News database?
Old 05-22-2009, 09:06 AM
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We have a sticky thread at the top of this section to all available TSBs.

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-tsx-problems-fixes-128/acura-servicenews-bulletins-669650/
Old 05-22-2009, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by JTso
On another topic: Page 4 of that TSB shows a hole added to the 06 and later block which "equalizes crankcase pressure". I take that to mean Honda fixed a problem which 'might' have caused the earlier 04 and 05 vehicles to use more than an acceptable amount of oil. Folks, this is just conjecture on my part and I don't want all of you to go running to the dealer screaming for an upgrade. But when rebuilding early blocks you might consider adding that hole
just to be sure.
Old 05-23-2009, 09:39 AM
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Guys,

Is this immobilizer light that blinks when something is wrong located on the instrument panel or in key hole where you put key to start the car?
Old 05-25-2009, 09:37 PM
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It's on the instrument panel above the speedometer. It's a green light in the shape of a key.
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