Dashboard lights flashing after replacing starter?

PS9964

MEMBER
2013 ACURA MDX
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
60,000 MILES

A few weeks ago, the car refused to start. I tried jump starting it for about an hour or so and it started up eventually. The car was just making a clicking noise when I turned the key. A couple of days after that the car again refused to start. Jump starting did not help. I replaced a brand-new battery but still no luck. Next I replaced the starter with a new (reman) one from napa. Now when I turn the key all dashboard lights flash. And I can hear the starter motor attempting to turn as well. Would you know what could prevent the engine from cranking?

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 AT 2:33 PM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
50,003 POSTS

Yes, this sounds like you got a defective starter I would take it back and get another one. Also, make sure the battery cables and clean and tight. Here is a guide that can help also I have included how to change the starter motor out correctly in the images below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

I would run the codes as well. You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Here is one for about $99.00 if you need it:

https://amzn.to/3ZixY4v

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 10:51 AM

PS9964

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi,

I figured it out last night. I had the battery sitting outside the vehicle connected via jumper cables to the terminals in the car.
Additionally, I had not bolted back on the battery housing (metal). This was mainly done as the starter is very difficult to access on the mdx. So didn't want to put everything back together until I could verify it worked. I did of course ensure I had all the cables connected. Anyway, so I put everything back together and the engine started without a problem. Maybe it was missing a ground due to all the metal housing not connected back - I am not really sure. Maybe just chalk it up to being a newbie :-)

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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 12:27 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,052 POSTS

Hi,

I noticed we haven't been in contact with you for three days. Is everything now working properly? And yes, a faulty ground will prevent the vehicle from starting.

Let us know.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, May 28th, 2023 AT 7:32 PM