Wondering if anyone had experienced the issue discussed in TSB 16-016 ("Starter Grinds or Spins at Startup") and if performing the TSB fixed your issue for good? I've found that this issue is also the subject of a Honda TSB on the 9th gen Accord as well, and some videos on Youtube capture the noise/issue exactly like I'm seeing.
I've got this issue occurring probably 1 out of every 10 or 12 starts where the starter will spin when pressing the start button. According to the TSB the fix is to replace the starter and rotate the torque converter clockwise one bolt hole. Being as the car is way out of warranty, this would be at my own expense, so if you experienced this, I'm wondering if (a) this fixed your issue and (b) if you used an OEM Honda starter or an aftermarket. I've seen mixed reviews/outcomes about this on other boards.
I haven't had such a problem on an RLX, but have had that problem before.
Simplest approach IMO is replace the starter motor to see if that solves the problem. With luck, the starter gear is not getting pushed all the way to the flywheel (or if at all), and a new starter will completely fix the problem. That I have experienced first hand.
The TSB seems to assume that the motor tends to stop in one particular orientation such that one section of the flywheel is normally 'hit' with the starter gear. If not, it seems to me that rotating the torque converter (flywheel) may not improve things much.
With the starter motor removed (since it is likely getting replaced anyway), have the mechanic (or you if you are handy) manually rotate the crank slowly and inspect the teeth around the entire circumference of the flywheel. They will be visible through the hole where the starter motor was.
If you find missing bits,, you have the bigger problem
If not, just bolt on the new starter motor.
Personally, I would go for the Acura part, since starter motor clearances have likley been updated due to the TSB.
If Honda Issues a TSB, then they will at least pay part of the cost. Likely the starter would be free and you’d pay for labor. I’ve done this type thing with the service manager before. You just need to approach this with complete knowledge of all requirements and costs so he if she has no inclination that you are a pushover.
I hope your flywheel is alright, I had this issue on an Infiniti J30 years ago, unfortunately in my case my flywheel teeth got chewed. I had the FW replaced, but creating a trans slip so bad, I had to get rid of the car. Garage I took it to would have nothing to do with the slip they caused, and with limited recourse, it was somewhat a crap scenario (what am I going to do, take the jokers to small claims?).
But, funny tie in, desperate for a replacement car, I picked up my '96 RL on the cheap to get me through, and the thing lasted way beyond expectation - it was that RL experience which led me to the RLX I have now, as of 3 weeks ago.
If it is your flywheel, I'd take it to Acura for this one.
Funny you ask, I had my mechanic perform the TSB yesterday, replacing the starter with the newest OEM part and rotating the torque converter as specified. So far, so good. I immediately noticed that the starter is MUCH quieter than the old one.
I did ask about the state of the flywheel and he said they did not see any broken or chipped teeth on the ring gear. He said he didn't understand how rotating the TC one bolt hole would help or do anything, but he said that if that's what Acura engineers came up with, they should know better than him. LOL
I'm trying to decide if I should replace the spark plugs now. They were last replaced from what I can tell at 111k (now at 201k) along with the water pump and timing belt.
The timing belt, timing belt tensioner and water pump were replaced at 200k prior to my purchase but it doesn't look like spark plugs were replaced this time around. I'm not a handy guy and don't have the equipment needed so would need to have someone do it for me.
Awesome, I don't quite understand the rotation either, but I'd take the same position as your mechanic.. And great news about the FW teeth..I'd absolutely do the plugs, probably on your list anyway. The plugs in the rear are likely painful to do, I'd pay..
He did say that for the amount of miles that the car has on it, it's incredibly clean mechanically and the service records show that it was well maintained. The previous owners did basically all of the Acura maintenance (fluid changes, water pump and spark plug replacements, timing belt and valve clearances, brake pads and rotors replaced, oil pump resealed, etc). Most of the "big" stuff was already done before I bought it, with the exception of the aforementioned spark plugs, and it's probably time for a transmission fluid replacement, too (it's been about 40k miles since the last one).
I have been experiencing a grinding noise on my 2014 Acura RLX every several starts (see attached video)
I spent $1000 at Firestone to replace the starter with a Duracell starter which did not fix the issue.
when I brought it back to Firestone, they stated “after inspecting flywheel found 3 teeth flattened where drive gear makes contact with starter causing grind at start up at times” (see photo provided)
two shops told me it will cost $1200-$1500 to replace flywheel however Acura is stating that it’s the torque converter ring (?) that needs to be replaced which is a $4500 repair.
I have been experiencing a grinding noise on my 2014 Acura RLX every several starts (see attached video)
I spent $1000 at Firestone to replace the starter with a Duracell starter which did not fix the issue.
when I brought it back to Firestone, they stated “after inspecting flywheel found 3 teeth flattened where drive gear makes contact with starter causing grind at start up at times” (see photo provided)
two shops told me it will cost $1200-$1500 to replace flywheel however Acura is stating that it’s the torque converter ring (?) that needs to be replaced which is a $4500 repair.
Does anyone have some advice for me?
I’m currently having this issue where I’m hearing a similar sound and I have no clue what the actual problem is
