So in my 2005 Acura RL, I am noticing that infrequently the car will not crank even if all the dashboard lights are on. I figured maybe it is the security system that got screwed up when I changed the battery. So I reset the system (following the advice I read) i.e., disconnect the negative terminal while key is in ON position. Then reconnect the battery terminal with key still in the ON position. The problem is still there albeit less frequent. Interesting thing is if I keep trying to crank the engine it starts after some tries.

I have linked/unlinked the fob few times without any success. The batteries in the fob are new.

I had the Autozone run a diagnostic on the car battery, starter and alternator (three times at different locations) and every time they concluded all was well. They even ran the scan tool connecting to the port in the car that found no problem.

What should I do? I am clueless. I don't know if a professional mechanic help is needed at this point. Dealership wants $149 for running a full diagnostic.

Thank you so much!

 

Next time it does that, try putting it in neutral and crank it and see if it starts. Or try pushing the gear lever gently towards the engine in park and then crank with other hand. If it starts then either you have loose shift cable (which will disable the starter) or a bad transmission range sensor.

 

Will follow your advise when this problem occurs next time.

Thanks a bunch.

 

It could also just be the solenoid in the starter motor - eventually they start to stick, and you can often get the car to start by giving the starter a tap with a hammer - this isn't anything RL specific, just a general starter motor scenario...
New starter is the remedy if this turns out to be your problem

 

Thank you.

Just out of curiosity, I was told by the local Acura dealer that you can plugin a scanner to the 2005 RL and it will show the error code and pinpoint the problem source. Is that true? If so, which scanner should work? Obviously, I don't have any check engine light in the dashboard.

 

Question for you best & brightest out there: If OP's car is throwing trouble codes, would he see the envelope icon on the corner of his nav screen indicating a message awaits him with the trouble code? Or does that happen only for some codes, not all?

 

it will show error codes in his messages.

Did you check if your ignition coil had gone bad?