I bought a 2007 Acura RDX that included the navigation package earlier this year. A couple weekends ago I finally took a day off and didn't drive anywhere for 24 hours. When I came back to my car the battery was dead. I tried to jump it with my neighbors car with no luck and a weird occurrence. After failing to get it started with the key, I removed the key from the ignition and the car continued to try to start itself. After getting roadside assistance to jump it successfully, I brought it to an auto store as a reflex to buy a new battery since mine had died overnight. When they tested my battery and alternator however, everything was fine. I mentioned the weird occurrence and we did a bit of research together where we came up with the possibility that a remote start harness had been installed despite not seeming to have this function (I press the lock button on my key fob a lot already due to it having a finicky range). I then took my car to my mechanic who tested out all other systems and determined everything is operating as it should and a remote start harness would be out of their wheelhouse of expertise. I'm left assuming it is the remote start harness and lost on how to fix it. Do I need to track down a standard harness? Is it possible to simply fix this harness so it doesn't drain my battery every 12 hours or so? Do I need to replace it with another remote start harness? I currently live in anticipation of my car not starting and the not-so-proud new owner of a portable jump starter so I can start myself anywhere it decides to run itself out of energy while parked and off.

 

Two things I would try first; one being replace the batteries in the key fob. I know of someone that had a lot of strange things going on with a late model Accord, to the point that he had to drive it some 450 miles without shutting it of because it was such an effort to get it started. There was a lot of head scratching going on with AAA and the dealer and finally an independent mechanic replaced the fob batteries. That was about a month ago and no issues since. 2nd thing, if your battery has been tested with one of the palm sized testers like that at AutoZone and Advance be aware they might not be reliable. My 2013 Accord was having issues about two years ago. Multiple tests with the handheld device said the battery was fine. The dealer wanted to do a TSB where the torque converter is rotated relative to the flywheel one bolt hole. Price was $1200. I opted out, took the car to an old fashioned independent that had an old load bank battery tester. These things have cable as big as your thumb and can load a battery to several hundred amps. Well it failed miserably, was replaced and I've been fine for about 2 years. Look for an independent that has a load bank battery tester or if your battery is over 3 to 4 years old, consider a temporary swap or replace.

 

Thank you for those considerations. Just for reference, I replaced my key fob battery a few months ago but this is still a system where I insert the key into the ignition and turn it so not sure that would have much of an effect. Also, my battery is from 2023.

 

Review the thread at RDX battery drain. You will notice a mention of a TSB 07-064 addressing an issue with the amplifier staying on. Although not TSB 07-064, the content at TA-095 will give you some idea of that TSB.

 

By the way the HFL module in a 2007 RDX Tech, and I assume other models as well, is on the passenger side of the center console. You will need to remove the DVD cover and carefully pull back the carpeting/plastic on the console (it is held by clips).. The picture shows what it looks like. BUT DO NOT NECESSARILY order what is shown because there are indications it is from a Canadian RDX.

 

I unplugged the HFL yesterday and that solved it!! I was able to go to the gym this morning with no issues!

 

You and I have different priorities. I would have unplugged the HFL, opened a bottle of Prosecco, and skipped the gym!