# 2005 acura mdx slow crank **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 17, 2023, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934 "2023-09-17T04:59:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![maxokream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@maxokream](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maxokream)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/1 "2023-09-17T04:59:49Z")
so my 2005 acura mdx cranks slow and most of the time starts but there’s been times where it didn’t. The battery tests come back good. 12.6 car off, 10.5 while cranking, and 14.2 when running so alternator should be fine to. I also had autozone test it with a machine and everything including the starter came back fine. I’m thinking its the starter but what is the most efficient way to test the cables, grounds etc? if my starter is cranking and starting engine but cranks slow, could it be any type of electrical issue or is it the starter itself? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 5:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/2 "2023-09-17T05:24:32Z")
> [@maxokream](#): > > but what is the most efficient way to test the cables, grounds etc? You inspect the connections between the battery and the starter and the battery to ground. Tester ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/3 "2023-09-17T15:11:46Z")
> [@maxokream](#): > > but there’s been times where it didn’t. What did it do? just click? > [@maxokream](#): > > test it with a machine and everything including the starter came back fine. Was it slow cranking while being checked also and still tested good? ---
**Author:** ![maxokream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@maxokream](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maxokream)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/4 "2023-09-17T17:04:04Z")
no when it didnt it would just very slowly crank and not start. and yes the slow crank is very consistant it was slow cranking when i tested it (10.5 while cranking) and when the autozone machine tested it ---
**Author:** ![maxokream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@maxokream](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maxokream)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/5 "2023-09-17T17:06:36Z")
There is a ground the connects to the frame near the front I think and one that connects to the engine block. I will check those and clean them and also check the positive connection to the starter making sure its tight before I go ahead and replace starter. thanks ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/6 "2023-09-17T17:47:08Z")
Also check the connection at the starter. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/7 "2023-09-17T19:04:28Z")
> [@maxokream](#): > > the slow crank is very consistant it was slow cranking when i tested it (10.5 while cranking) and when the autozone machine tested it Did anyone measure the amperage draw? I don’t think Autozone does that. 10.5 volts while cranking was normal 50 years ago, starter motors today draw less than half the current, the battery voltage should be 11.5 or higher while cranking. When the battery voltage drops to around 10 volts, the PCM won’t allow the engine to start even though the engine is cranking. The starter motor has an internal short or the battery has insufficient cold cranking amps. ---
**Author:** ![maxokream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@maxokream](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maxokream)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/8 "2023-09-17T19:14:55Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > measure the amperage draw the engine starts basically every time just cranks slow ---
**Author:** ![maxokream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@maxokream](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maxokream)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/9 "2023-09-17T19:19:23Z")
the battery is 12.6 with engine off every time i check it. if there was an amperage draw wouldn’t the battery be dead or lower than 12.6 every time I check it? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/10 "2023-09-17T19:22:49Z")
Measure the amperage draw of the starter motor while cranking the engine, should be about 100 amps. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/11 "2023-09-17T20:31:52Z")
Your shop could measure the voltage right at the starter motor terminals. Ask them to measure both the thick and thin wires, when the key is in start. Probe directly between the terminal and the starter motor case. What voltages do they measure? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/12 "2023-09-17T20:46:40Z")
At any rate, I’d feel better if a dealer checked it out, but I wouldn’t buy a starter at Autozone if I were determined just to replace it. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/13 "2023-09-17T20:58:00Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > Measure the amperage draw of the starter motor while cranking the engine, should be about 100 amps. Are you suggesting that a driveway weekend diy’er should attempt that measurement? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/14 "2023-09-17T21:06:19Z")
They make starter current draw testers for the DIY’er. Just lay it over the positive cable to the starter, and have someone crank the engine over to measure the current draw. > **[SG Tool Aid 24600 600 Amp. Alt-Gen-Start Current Indicator](https://www.jbtools.com/sg-tool-aid-24600-600-amp-alt-gen-start-current-indicator/?wi=off&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg-2LvsWygQMV8wXnCh2GDwN8EAQYBiABEgJqd_D_BwE)** > > Buy SG Tool Aid 24600 600 Amp. Alt-Gen-Start Current Indicator with an everyday low price and free shipping! Tester ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/15 "2023-09-17T21:15:33Z")
Do it yourself or have it repaired, these are the choices. Inductive amp probes/meters are available at many different price levels. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/1/c18850663c853e8a00de032242e0d7e9df675e95.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![maxokream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@maxokream](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maxokream)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/16 "2023-09-19T17:37:14Z")
Replaced the starter and it fixed the problem. If anyone is having a very consistent slow crank but engine is starting, replacing the starter fixed it for me. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/17 "2023-09-19T23:30:55Z")
> [@maxokream](#): > > Replaced the starter and it fixed the [slow cranking] problem. That suggests the problem was the starter’s solenoid contacts. The starter motor has heavy duty electric-current switch inside, and the contacts pit and otherwise degrade with use. The contacts are somewhat similar to a spot welder. It is also possible one of the windings was faulty . In any event you were wise to replace the starter, b/c pretty soon it probably wouldn’t crank the engine at all. Good for you for getting it resolved! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/18 "2023-09-20T00:24:39Z")
Or the brushes in the starter were worn. Tester ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-acura-mdx-slow-crank/192934/19 "2023-09-20T01:11:56Z")
Here is a pretty good video of how a modern day starter works… [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/d/3d327ab28e328d80a3f86b17d2e14fa252b1e3cc.jpeg "How an Engine Starter Motor Works") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFsl5r34lCI)