5 Customer Complaints?? (Acura MDX: Window-Lock-Fob-Fog-Dome Lights)

This is an interesting Acura...
Customer says he had to remove the ENTIRE DASH to replace some broken blend doors on his 2003 Acura MDX.
After reinstalling the dash, the car has FIVE items that "stopped functioning":
-Power Windows & Locks from the Driver's Door
-Memory Seats
-Keyless Entry Fobs / Security System
-Fog Lights
-Dome Lights in the "DOOR" position
How could all these problems be related?? Or are they?
Let's diagnose these issues one at a time.
Can we kill ALL the birds with one stone?
IVAN'S PICO WAVEFORMS:
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Autel MaxiCOM MK808S-TS:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00LPIRY6E?...
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@ne2i]

Hello everybody Im the owner. It was quite the chore. Im just a weekend warrior. Took about 2 weeks to do. Sometimes you need a little help. Thankfully Ivan is within driving distance. Thanks Ivan!

[@LesReeves]

And that explains everything just some advice that I have given before seeing your post ANY TIME YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME TAKE PHOTOS !!!!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

My pleasure! 😊

[@Sandmansa]

@@LesReeves Words of advice to live by.

[@TheBry_Guy]

you may not feel lucky having these issues... but in my view you are lucky to have someone like Ivan within driving distance!

[@tomball84]

It happens to the best of us, I replaced a Volvo XC60 dashboard and was having issues once refitted. Turns out Volvo put 2 identical green plugs on the same loom about 3 inches apart, one was for the SIM card reader and the other was for the passenger airbag switch.

[@MarcBeland]

Ivan: *breathes sigh of relief at not having to break apart the dash*

[@smh988]

I learned, very quickly in my trbl shooting career, to act interested and respectfully listen to the on-site technicians complaints. In reality, everybody has their own their version of problems which could send you down a black hole you might never escape.

[@Doode42]

Well said. Similar here as well. Love this guys strategic approach to troubleshooting.

[@russellhltn1396]

Listen, but take it with a grain of salt.

[@htownblue11]

Ahhhh the classic “evil twin connector” scenario. Thank goodness most engineers make each connector slightly different in same areas of harnesses. Great strategic old school diagnosis. Proves the value of test lights.

[@Fishsticks187]

I'm sitting with my cat having a cup of black coffee, watching one of Ivan's videos on a Saturday morning while I wait to go pick up my motorcycle. Life is good.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

What bike?

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

What a carnage on that dash! So many independent faults coinciding under the same complaint, but only one fault was consequence of the carnage! Great diagnostic and repair, Ivan!

[@Runco990]

These types of diagnostics are my favorite. Back to basics, which most people have forgotten. In my own career as an electronics technician, I don't use a test light, but I use my EYES, BRAIN and a Multimeter most of the time. THEN the scope comes out when things get tough. I fix most faults the old fashion way. Half my equipment has a purpose for the outliers, but most of the time it just wows the customer. 90% of fault finding is in your HEAD! 👍

[@robertsmith2956]

My head chases to many rabbits. I go with instruments.

[@brianw8963]

I’ve seen a few of those blend door horror movies. Kudos to the owner for tackling that project. Can’t imagine what that would cost to have it done somewhere. Even with paying Ivan for His work, I’d say the owner did pretty good. The sun is shining, my furry neighbor said winter is over! Great! Time to go do some fun bug work with PHAD reruns going over on the wall. Nice work Ivan. 👍👍🇺🇸

[@braddofner]

Dropped this one early on me, Ivan! I'm still half asleep, drinking a coffee at work following along while some morning tasks run. Your diagnostic skills are second to none. Thanks for the morning knowledge and entertainment!

[@baxrok2.]

"...the psychology of customers..." Finding that under dash connector was amazing. Thanks Ivan!

[@user-gh2mm1eo7l]

I said to my wife," there's no way ivan will call a module and not peek inside of it" 😂😂 sure enough I was right!!! Great job once again Ivan!!!👍👍

[@badgerdave22]

Love seeing you work your magic on stuff like this where a scan tool is useless, Ivan!

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I had similar on a Truck I loved from CARMAX, years ago. They noticed blend door broken, offered to send it out to fix it, 2006 RAM HEMI Longhorn regular cab. I got impatient, and passed on it. Was a LONG send-out fix. However, research shows a place called HEATER-TREATER that makes METAL doors, and if I did it, I would go the extra cost, and install metal doors, that have metal hinges. Never break again! Welp, none for an Acura, but there is a way on the 2002-2008 Dodge-RAM where you not tear whole dash out. Just one access hole behind the glove box needs enlarging, then it is pretty easy.

[@major__kong]

I have some software and networking guys working for me. One day, we brought in some Navy guys for a hardware-in-the-loop test with some of our Air Force equipment. No one could get the 1's and 0's to go to the right places. After about an hour, someone asked, is the network switch on? D'oh! Similar stupid things happened at other times to the point where I made a troubleshooting checklist with orders for my test lead that went something like this - You don't try to be smart. If anything goes wrong, you go through this list first. I'm not wasting 3 days of valuable flight test time again because someone is sure the switch is on or the cable is plugged in.

[@hikerJohn]

Was all this in one day? I would have been mentally exhausted but it was stimulating watching all these success one after another.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

4 hours total one shot 🙂

[@GarnConstructionInc]

Nice diagram diag! As a field tech I replaced a lot of fuses and cleaned up corroded grounds after spring storms. The issue that caused it could have been any number of uncommon events leading to a power surge. Tearing the dash apart can create a lot of uncommon events especially if high current is applied to a lower current controlled circuit or (an unconnected connector!). Another huge rabbit hole Plugged!

[@Sandmansa]

Ah. An overpriced sister to the Honda Pilot. This was an interesting case study for sure. It seems that every manufacture uses a few neighboring connectors somewhere that can fit together but are not meant to go together. The body guys at my shop are great at finding them. I was expecting that to be the case here. And sure enough, bingo! Great find Ivan! Now I am not trying to insult anyone. But I have seen countless times where a new customer states that their vehicle was in perfect condition before any work began. Minus the issue that brought it in for of course. When it really wasn't.

[@ovalteen4404]

When power transistors are involved, it's a good bet that's where the problem is. Doesn't matter whether it's an amplifier, an inverter, or a light dimmer. You can test them using the diode function on your meter.

[@GeminiSeven43]

I believe it's a case of "Hyper-Awareness" in that the customer was looking for something broken after the fact and wants to blame the last technician that worked on it. Great video and always good to start with the basics.

[@LesReeves]

Yeah you get that but from the photo I think it was a DIY friend or something like that & that is most likely why he was blaming the repair on the dash removal & re installation.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

The last technician was the owner himself lol!

[@fredautos]

Crazy similar Connector. I once Messed up With a connector in an Honda Fuse Box causing The wipers, headlamp and charging system malfunction 😅.. Yes No one is above Mistakes!

[@jws3925]

Nice diagnostics, as usual. Good job, Ivan. Watching all your videos two things become crystal clear: 1) one MUST have access to good wiring diagrams (and know how to read them) and 2) have an investigative mind grounded in logic.

[@farmermiyagi1338]

Have a little PHAD with your coffee. Yep. This is a good morning. Hey Ivan, I used my Thinktool on a 1994 Chevrolet the other day. Had full access to all the limited data available on the OBD1 system. ;) Could read and clear codes and read the data stream.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Wow really? Had no idea ThinkTool would touch anything older than 1996!

[@johnchambers12]

It must be backwards compatible with OBD 1 fantastic information . My old Auto X Ray scan tool was the last one i used on OBD 1 that was in 1998.

[@Mr2004MCSS]

@@johnchambers12 I still use an old AutoXray 6000 scan tool for my OBD 1 cars. Mine has all of the enhanced information for the domestics and I believe Toyota and gives quite a bit of information.

[@Mr2004MCSS]

That is good to know. I have not tried my Thinktool Pros on my three OBD 1 vehicles. I usually just grab my old AutoXray 6000 scanner for those. I will have to try the Pros on one of them next time.

[@farmermiyagi1338]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics Yessir. It came with all the adapters for older vehicles. So far Ive used it for older Toyota and older GM vehicles. ;)

[@andrewwturner]

That diagnostic was joyful to watch. I work in computers and have people say on a weekly basis "Since you last worked on my computer x, y or z isnt working". I think we're all logical beasts at heart even if that means we arrive at the wrong conclusion sometimes.

[@kyletuttle9064]

Cool video Ivan.nice troubleshooting.

[@sspnugen]

Thanks for the Saturday morning video

[@sneaks01]

You’re amazing, Ivan! Great work!

[@1954307]

amazingly sorted out ivan you really are one of the best...

[@russellhltn1396]

I had to laugh when your fob tester mislead you, but you still found the fault! I guess even Murphy gets tripped up by Murphy.

[@leonardhirtle3645]

Ivan, I enjoyed watching your process. You are very knowledgeable.

[@johnclamshellsp1969]

One would think, the engineers would have made that test connector not fit anything else. Or possibly have it labeled as "test"

[@agostinodibella9939]

Great combination of isolated issues and one self inflicted problem Ivan!

[@rickchowsr2532]

Excellent find great job

[@davidgierke7582]

This one must have been pretty satisfying! Nice work by using the schematic diagrams and your head! Great work.

[@mikedaugharty5544]

Another professionally done diagnosed anc fixed issue!!! great job Ivan you the man

[@duanebuck193]

Excellent video, Ivan. It shows that even when you don't have the diagnostics systems we have gotten used to available to you, following the logic and wiring will lead you in the correct direction.

[@ChrisWilliams-pu8pj]

Amazing job! The video makes it look easy but a lot of though and research goes into this type of repair!

[@jgeorges3061]

IVAN, awesome approach and thought process you always amaze me by ur approach to tackle those electric problems bravo brother and thanks for showing all the steps u done by showing the wiring diagram really appreciated. cheeeeeers

[@jamesflanagan1753]

Great video Ivan you have a great knowledge of how everything should work ✅ brilliant

[@kevin9c1]

In an alternate universe, a different owner of this vehicle could have had a dealer (or other shop) tear the dash apart for HVAC blend door stuff, and decided that all of these issues happened after that, even though they mostly did not! So when someone claims "XYZ function worked fine before," they might just be straight up mistaken.

[@chuckmayerchak3071]

I love your vieos and the analytical approach you take for your diagnosis. People are amazing. Blame everything on the repair. I was in automotive repair at the dealer level for over 50 years, and would love to have a dime for every complaint that had nothing to do with the original repair.

[@billmalec]

Great stuff as always Ivan

[@themalewhale59]

Very interesting process. 👌

[@betomendez4304]

Awesome work 👍 ivan

[@abderrahimmark]

Learning as always from you, Spasiva 🤝🏻

[@jakeandrus690]

Time to harness your inner north ridge fix and replace the driver in that smart fuse box......if you can get it unplugged without mangling it 😊

[@scottmagoch5367]

That's,a really nice job!! Thanks Ivan,you are a master!!

[@dannytall8699]

The customer probably got confused with the whole thing and did not know where to start. Like a pilot losing orientation, suddenly what is happening is completely different from what he was expecting and doesn't trust anything he sees in front of him anymore.😂

[@artieamici8115]

Easily my favorite channel other than my music channel Kasio Jones. Thank you for always being so on point and entertaining!

[@thk7513]

When you got to the interior lights, I prematurely started giggling and started thinking; light bulbs. Not! Great video!

[@user-zt1pq7hq6y]

Ivan makes it look easy-but it is not-Ivan just happens to have a beautiful mind gifted with logic and reason.

[@GS-lh2nx]

That was a good one, Ivan. I thought for sure that the problems were all going to be related. Wiring diagrams and logic, but don't discount your experience. That contributed a lot to this one as well.

[@advancedleveldiagnostics]

Superb Diag, following the data... Thanks for sharing! It's not often you hear an "ever since..." story about himself it's usually blaming someone else😅

[@josephaustin2419]

I worked customer technical support help line for AT&T Communications systems for years. I learned quickly that the first words from a client regarding their problem was that they were lying or simply did not know what the problem was. Same issue with you customers complaints.

[@mattbrown5511]

Outstanding diagnosis and repair. Murphy showed up to wreak some havoc. Greta step by-by-step troubleshooting.

[@erik_dk842]

_Greta_ Tunberg?

[@mattbrown5511]

And you are so awesome that you never made a spelling error even with auto-correct. Piss off little man.@@erik_dk842

[@LesReeves]

Other than the dome lights all the other problems were from a DFI with NFI (the exception being that plug under the steering column ) . When people do this type of work (dash removal)photos must be taken if it is a DIY special. (I hope you understand mt abreviations at the start.)🤣

[@greghanlon2235]

Redemption for original tech/shop stuck with miserable blend door job. I did a water pump once and customer returned fuming next day saying I f*cked up their horn. I removed horn connector (2 ft away), cleaned it and Wala, horn worked. Gave it back to old lady with no charge. Explained the 2 problems were not related. A begrudging "ok" was all I got. Learned something that day... never give away free work to undeserving customers.

[@jtilano]

Very Accurate diagnostic... try Alex maybe he has interested in some collaboration to fix the board ...if customer can pay why not to try...

[@steve83803]

Regarding the faulty electronic “ fuse box” controller for the dome lighting, Toyota/Lexus use a similar item called an “integration relay” Not sure if this applies but the Toyota units have a fusible resistor (fuse) on the PCB usually around 10 Ohms which blows with excess current to protect the components. I noticed a possible one that looks burnt near to the large electrolytic capacitors, just above the OKI marking labelled component R1.

[@RoboGeeeeeek]

One odd quirk on Hondas is that the cheap little $5 switch that turns on each map light is normally closed. And the lamp assembly gets ground from chassis inside the lamp assembly. (Thus the switch itself loses ground and the map lights work but not dome). I would triple check on MDX if this is the issue.

[@petepeabody8905]

The customer might be surprised, but I bet he's feeling embarrassed too. Great job Ivan

[@falcon8553]

Awesome work!

[@Jazc-mp889]

I hate when electrical issues happen. I love these first generation MDX's!

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Just a ground problem. And a wire connector in the wrong plug in. To bad the dome light has a bad electronic component. Good one Ivan!

[@CedroCron]

I still think these were the best Honda MDX's ever made. My ex-boss (now my friend) has one of these and it's almost ready to roll over 500,000km (300K miles). The transmission gave up about 20,000km ago when a bearing went in the transmission but the engine is still strong. She rust proofed it every year and is religious in her maintenance. It cost her $4,000 CDN for a transmission rebuild and she was happy to pay it because she loves the SUV so much.

[@mistsemy1522]

I love the coustomer feed back at the end of your videos but this time no feed back.

[@jerryking2418]

Well done. I could see how that 3-pin connector could have stumped me without a wiring diagram. Good catch.

[@johnthompson941]

Something I used do to myself relying on memory and logic in reassembly, now I take pictures of all. It fits it must go there...good theory, but not true

[@themechanic6117]

really enjoyed this one. That connector was a really easy mistake to make , it probably would have bitten me also lol

[@kevincampbell8298]

So important when taking things apart to label and mark connectors and other things.. Or else its going to be a headache. More care taken in disassembly makes assembly go much better.

[@bernardaflores1720]

Nicely done, for sure a head scratcher

[@v8motors.]

That smart fuse box, made by OKI, did your Printer fire up! OKI make tons of printers. Never knew they did car stuff!😀

[@American_Creed]

Amazing Wish you could go to Washington and fix it.👍

[@wallace3953]

wow......a criminal would fix it as you did, then charge $3,000.00 and claim they had to removed the dash and re-install the dash....U are the BEST! Honor first!!!!

[@lvsqcsl]

Wow! You really went to work on that Acura! Usually when you troubleshoot you usually find a bad ground; more so than any other technician I know, Ivan. It just seems like you have a knack for finding bad grounds. I would have been willing to bet before you started that all of this would have been related to the dash removal. Before I got home to watch this video, I was in a neighboring town and I started home and couldn't shift the 'ol Marquis out of park. There is a plastic panel above the brake pedal held on by plastic push pins. I got that panel off and there was indeed a green crusty wire hanging from the connector. I pushed that wire in and got home. I have a connector to replace and it is because of you that I was able to do that, so, thank you. GREAT VIDEO!

[@LesReeves]

He may not be a electronics expert (although some of his recent vids have been quite up there with Ivan )is Eric O at SMA he can smell a bad ground.🤣

[@MTLeopold]

Very entertaining repair.

[@robertkeime4907]

Ok ….. I am officially amazed

[@mikefoehr235]

Changing a FOB battery would be pretty obvious to me. Same with bulbs. So simple and obvious.

[@vpimike2646]

Excellent case study Professor Ivan! Yes, that was an unexcusable rookie mistake by the customer on the fob and fog light issues, but I know that it is very easy to miss a connector when reinstalling a dash. I've done it myself replacing an evaporator on a 2008 Avalon. What a complicated mess! 😨

[@LesReeves]

Again take photos they do not lie!!!!!

[@gregsly1247]

I had a similar issue with the lights not working in the door position. I pulled down the dome light, opened it up and it turned out the contacts were gummed up in the door position. Cleaned up the contacts and it worked fine.

[@eddiereichel9354]

Guy called me with a jeep compasss. Said his right turn signal doesn't work. I asked him if he put a new bulb in. Yeah he said he tried that. Iv fixed probably 15 or more of those cars with ground wires issues for turn signal among other things. I spend an hour cutting the ring terminals off and extending the wires. Get done turn on signal and no flashy flashy found a burnt out bulb. Couldn't charge him to repair a ground issue he didn't have yet but was guaranteed to have happen. I mean ya didn't go as far down rabbit hole as me. I always verify customer complaint. It's crazy how customers will relate problems they have to others working on their clapbox. It's funny to see someone do it to themselves.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

That's why you still DIAGNOSE the issue and not make assumptions just based on customer information :)

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Just watching and listening to what you were told by the customer, it makes one wonder how many of the issues were present before the dash was removed and he just realized them afterwords? Great job Ivan, like they say KISS- Keep It Simple Stupid-- well that's if you can

[@eugened41]

You're the best that I have seen.

[@FrenchSmitty]

Classic “ever since….” hysteria 😂

[@volvo09]

Yep, I'm sure the customer found those existing problems when giving the car a thorough once over after the dash came out.

[@tomtke7351]

call me goofy but I bought, back in 1990, a big ol Buick LeSabre. The original 3.8L Series I, OBD I, remarkable GM design. I spent too much money for it. Not that the dealer screwed me but that it was a pricey car AND interest rates were high; something like 15%... OUCH. What stuck in my head was that after all paid off and the car starts to wear out... that an ocassional 1 or 2 month's car payment spent on repair wasn't that bad. So I've kept after that beast... Back when Obama offered "cash for clunkers" I didn't qualify as the 3 8L gets too good gas mileage. So I've still got it. The emissions lady, with years of experience and gray hairs too, told me that old Buicks always pass testing. Wow... I got my money's worth... *I don't have opinion about 2024 Buicks* My point is you can keep up a car by both regular service and by fixing broken $#iT quickly for about what a few monthly new car payments come to and that car will go on forever. (Ok Eric your salt and rust are different... but I guess a frame CAN BE REPLACED too, huh?) Alternately, you can neglect a car and around 150K trade it in for new.. I'll admit my 90 LeSabre is both a Hooptie and a Beater with original paint that looks terrible. But at 380,000 miles it still runs leaving surprised folks at the red light (good acceleration = good MPG.) It's comfortable with upgraded A/C to R134 and new transmission and welded broken driver seat and replaced carpet 2x and headliner R&R... Still has original O2 sensor and cat. Oh yeah, blower motor R&R 2x. 90 LeSabres are scarce at salvage yards but parts are still findable... EBay and all.... I also upgraded my headlights to LED as I'm a senior and vision is not as good as years past. I don't drive at nite much but I gotta see the wet black asphalt pavement. [[Curbless pavement has white fog lines but curbs aren't painted. WHY NOT??]] Guess what my message is: is that like the CarShield commercial says: "Car Shield Cars (a.k.a well maintained cars) go farther." You've been paying for insurance to cover repair expenses so when it breaks you get it fixed... Also, buy a car that you like... (i.e. that's worth keeping) and take care of irritating stuff quickly. (-1-) Buy a car that you like and barely can afford. (Don't become an Uber or pizza delivery type with this car.) (-2-) Keep up on maintenance and repair with thoughs this only costs one or two months of new car payments. (-3-) DON'T LET IRRITATING stuff go unfixed. --------- //I need a paint job//

[@timkis64]

you definately earn your pay bud, much respect.

[@THEDRAGONBOOSTER8]

Admit it ,you had fun on this one.. Cheers..

[@dustcommander100]

Ah, the classic coincidence! I've seen things so outlandish and unbelievable that I never told anyone about them. And I've ignored claims about unrelated things causing other things. It's just part of the world we live in..... I know that you know!

[@dougowens2686]

That was awesome love old school wire chasing

[@davidatwater3744]

Ivan, I have an Autel as well and recently ran into the same issue with it as well where it would not recognize a 2004 Elantra keyfob but other fobs worked just fine. The Elantra keyfob worked with a Rotunda tester

[@jimharmon3404]

Once again Ivan shows us how to eat an elephant. Very nice job Ivan. I also detected some KISS method in there too!

[@geraldmcfadden2270]

My “99 Corolla was driving me mad abs light was on I replaced wheel sensors abs relay turned out all my brake lights were out that fixed it. The last thing I checked turned out to be the easiest fix!!

[@thogevoll]

I wonder if at the end of some of his jobs that Ivan throws his hands up and cries out, these hands have been touched by god? 😉😁 I'm sure he's too modest for that though. Ivan works on every make and model and works logically through to a solution better than a lot of dealer techs who work only on particular makes and models yet often times do not resolve a problem. Ivan is a true master of all things automotive. It's no wonder why folks bring their vehicles from many hours away. Dealing with dealers can be a really big deal sometimes.

[@JessClearyAutoRepairLLC]

Awesome case study! I've often said, if things aren't adding up, forget what you THINK you know, and start the diagnosis over like you just bought it at the auction (and know nothing about it). Also, (more for cutomers, than techs) it's just human nature to inspect something super close when a repair has been completed, but not everything you find is a result of the repair! When was the last time you inspected every function of your car without any reason to do so?

[@davidgrisco1939]

It's all about understanding the logic / root cause / policy... kinda like the flag on the wall. You're all right Ivan! (See what I did there?) 👍😊

[@drunkingsailor2359]

Morning Ivan.

[@peterhodgkins6985]

Nicely done Ivan!! (Ivan the Russian rabbit hole filler! ;) )

[@farmermiyagi1338]

Had an 08 Taco in here the other day and customer complained of no fog lights. He also had a low beam out, so he was running on high beams. Come to find out, the fog lights ONLY work with headlamps on and low beams only. You hit the dimmer to switch to brights and the fogs lights go out. ;)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

That's how pretty much all fog light systems have worked on all cars for the past 30 years ;)

[@Gilboy64]

It’s actually illegal to have your fog lights operating with your highbeams on. That’s why all manufacturers have them turn off with the highbeams. Will fail Pennsylvania state inspection, if they work with the high beams

[@farmermiyagi1338]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics My point being that the customer had no idea. He has only had the truck about 6 months. Constant problems, believe it or not.

[@farmermiyagi1338]

@@Gilboy64 He brought the truck in for another issue and asked me to put a low beam bulb in and check his fog lights. I had to explain to him why they only work with low beams, and he had been running on high beams. His hunting buggy. My state actually did away with inspections completely in 1998. It shows too.

[@dcweldingequipmentrepair4259]

Ivan, do you have a video related to the chevy DLIS and/or LBEC2? I'm trying to find a key-off amp draw. Thanks!

[@GNX157]

Ivan, I’ve meant to ask you, since you work on a lot of older cars from early 2000’s, do you keep the affected vehicle list for the Takata airbag recall? It’s probably a good idea, because if you encounter one of those, you want to get away from it ASAP and call the dealer, DO NOT drive it anywhere. It could explode in your face and kill you.

[@aymenmohamed1134]

Awesome

[@lukasgrincevicius5027]

Imagine that key fob not actuating the door lock after battery replacement and not showing transmission on your scan tools. Sneaky rabbit hole