delay accessory for cold starts

Old fart says bad battery.

the car is an 2009, and i keep thinking how could it be the battery?  when i first started, i used the virtual tach, but got the low batt message when it would fail every so often. so i went to hardwired tach, and fail rate was even less.  Then i decided to cut the accessory 2 wire, to remove the navi/dvd, it didn't fail for over a week.  Then this past saturday, during the -5degC, it wouldn't start, it would crank but wouldn't turn over.  i got into the van, turned off the ac control, hit the remote start and on it worked.  then when it hit -15degC yesterday, everytime i got out of the van, i turned off the ac, and when i remote started on 6 different occasion, it worked everytime.  it seems like the less load i put on the system, the more reliable the remote starts.

The only reason i didn't think it was the battery is because whenever the remote start failed, i would jump in, and with the key, never had any start failures.  if it is a bad battery, wouldn't it fail with key or remote starter?

I will have to check the ACC volt when i get home from work tonight.  and then check battery voltage.  Any other suggestions on a test to confirm if the battery is bad?  just odd that i never had an issue using the key to start.

Where do you have the unit grounded? Connect your DMM leads to the ground on the unit (right at the connector or as close as possible) and to the 12v input and watch the voltage during the r/s process. If this voltage drops significantly then you either have a bad battery or a bad ground. I know I have heard of a lot of issues with newer honda batteries and remote starters. A local shop has had multiple honda's back because of problems with the battery... so it is entirely possible. Another thing you can try is to bring the RPM's up slightly (maybe to 1200-1500 when programming tach. This way it won't immediately shut off before the rpms are high enough to keep the vehicle running. I have seen that before especially in cold weather.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

Kenny has just about covered everything. Especially the part about checking the voltage between your R/S grounding point and the constant 12V+ supplies. Do it at the unit. Plus increasing the revs during programming and of course W2W on the tach, mandatory IMO. As for you Kenny and that young upstart Ted, I did the test. Activate,3 seconds, 3 seconds, starts up, THEN, AFTER engine running, ACC powers up. Clifford G4 + Intellistart.

Hmm... I'll have to check the Python 991 in my car tonight because I could have sworn that my ACC powers up then shuts off during crank. But that isn't going by testing... thats just basing off of my heater controls... which very well could be on my ignition circuit. I'll try to remember to test it tonight and get back to you.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

compustar turns acc, ign, acc off, start, acc back on. and i would say battery issued. i have a 09 accord and the oem batt sucks. i swapped it out for an optima yellow and never had problems. Trust me, im in the same country as you so i know what the weather does to the honda battery.Ted

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

Same vehicle same battery, Florida 10 years Virginia, United Kingdom 3-5 Chicago, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Russia, about 3 if you're lucky. Every cold start (under 35f.) adds about 50% extra load to the battery. Over here (the UK) car battery people start earning their Christmas bonus from November.

I confirmed it, my Python 991 is: Activate Starter Ignition and accessory turns on for roughly 1 second Accessory turns off, vehicle cranks Accessory turns back on.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

Gents, got home and pulled out the meter.

Reading 12.64 volts at the unit.  When i activate the starter, it drops down between 8.5-9.5 volts. then jumps back up to 13.4volts.  So when you say voltage drops signifcantly, does 3-4 volt drop qualify? 

viper 5904, acc goes on right before the start, drops out, car starts, acc back on.

Yes, that is a significant drop. Where do you have the unit grounded? I would check that first, then check your Constant power connection. If they are both good then you have a bad battery.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205