Hi,

I am having this very odd issue and would like to see if anyone can help or have/had the same issue.

I own a 2013 RDX tech AWD, lately I have been noticing that every time when I open / close the tailgate using the Power Tailgate button on the dashboard, the Navigation screen will flicker between the Day mode and Night mode.
The issue happens when the engine is on and navigation screen is up. It is very odd, and never happened before. I have this car for almost 7 years.

Same issue will happen when the car is in accessory mode with the Navigation system is on. The screen and panel lights will just flicker.

The car is bone stock with no modification or aftermarket parts installed.

Driving of the car is fine. So I have no idea what can cause this issue.
The only thing was the software updated in May by the dealer because of the transmission shudder and the propeller shaft changed.

Please assist. Any advise would be great and helpful.

THANK YOU!!

 

Here is what the flickering looks like:

 

Does the flickering stop after the tailgate is closed again?

My guess is the open gate is throwing some sort of shadow on the light sensor and the display switches to night mode.

Another possibility is that's just a warning since it seems to blink exactly three times.

 

Yeah the flickering stops after the tailgate is fully opened or closed.

I test it again, and the flickering only happens when the Headlight is off. So it will mostly happen in the day time. When the headlight is on at night, the issue is gone.

If it is a warning, what could that be? I look through the manual, it didn't have any info on that. Thanks.

 

Maybe it's trying to tell you not to drive with the tailgate open. Or maybe warning you that the gate is opening/closing. Not sure why the headlights have anything to do with it. What happens with headlights set to "auto"?

 

How many miles on it? How old is the battery?
What I'm getting at is these modern vehicles use a can buss system and everything is connected to everything else.
You have to make sure there is full power available or weird things can happen.
Or maybe the hatch motor is pulling more power than it is supposed to.

 

Car is less than 30K miles; battery is about 2-3 years old.
How to make sure there is full power available? do u mean check the battery?
thanks.

 

Yes check the battery. Not just putting a volt meter on it. It has to be "load tested".
Most dealers do that with all services, but you can go to a place that sells batteries
and probably get it done for free.
I'm not saying for sure that's what is wrong, but it is something to rule out.

 

Original owner, 2014 RDX Tech, 105,000 miles and I believe it is a safety feature to alert that you have engine on and rear hatch open.
Ours has done this since new.

 

That's good to know! My 2013 RDX never had this feature until recently the dealer updated the software.
I also find out that this feature only happens when the headlight is off. So, if the headlight is ON, this flickering won't happen. Does yours do the same thing?

It would be nice if other '13 RDX owners check theirs and provide some info. Thanks

 

May I ask what the version of your software is after the update and are there any notable changes?