2012 CR-V Battery Dying Computer Flash

[genep]

Update on my personal issues on this topic: After receiving a new battery from Honda yesterday, I parked her in the garage (not heated, but still) at around 5 pm yesterday. At 10 ish am today, I went to leave, and the battery was dead. Had to use my hubby's jump pack. Hubs called service dept. at local dealer, telling them I'd be in, and to have a loaner ready. My hubs also told me to take in the TSB I'd printed last night, and to run it by the head mechanic (a buddy of his). I was told that the ECM flash had already been performed in October, when she was first in for this issue. He double checked for me that there weren't any updates to the flash, and there weren't. I asked him about this issue, and he said they're seeing a LOT of it. The ECM flash, however does NOT fix the issue (at least not in my case). Neither does a brand new battery, as I've learned. (I'm sorry, but a battery should last a LOT more than 17 effing hours before needing a jump!!)

Have the dealer flash the computer again. Preferably by a different tech than did the first flash. A computer flash must be done correctly, no short cuts! If you still have the problem, replace the computer. Before I retired, I was a Field Service Engineer for a company that made currency sorting equipment for the banking industry. These machines are all controlled by a built in computer. After two failed flash attempts, we would replace the computer board. It might seem weird, but a computer board can have a problem that will not allow a flash, and still operate normally with the original program.

[teri2280]

I get your point, and I feel it's a good one. However, considering that this is a brand new vehicle (well, pretty much), I'm not going to suggest that they do ANYTHING. I've already spoken to them about the original flash, and the research time I've spent on this is WAY more than a consumer should have to even THINK about spending on trying to get their vehicles right. I know this response sounds harsh, but I just got off the phone with my brother, who is in Afghanistan, and had him tell me to have my husband (a body guy) check for a draw somewhere. I told my brother the same thing I'm telling you. WE are done working on this thing. (And by "working on" I'm including "research".) The ONLY time my husband will ever work on this thing is if it gets wrecked and there's an insurance check to pad his pocket book, and that includes charging a battery that's gone dead. (Why should we have to pay the electricity to charge a battery of something that wasn't our fault to begin with.) Unless it gets a door opened into it that has to be fixed before the lease turn in date, but that's assuming that we even make it that long in this vehicle. Again, I apologize if this reply sounds a bit harsh, but I'm tired of this crap. I went through this stuff (trying to figure out fixes for issues) with my Cobalt that died a few days before we leased this CRV. There is a reason we decided to lease something new over buying something used. We wanted a RELIABLE vehicle, not something that would be in the shop 3 times in 4 months. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my CRV when I first got in her. To this day, she still feels like she responds to my thoughts rather than my actions. BUT the headaches caused in the past few days alone are enough to make me want to just go lease a Ford. (And for the record, the dealership has checked for a draw both of the times she's been in. She's still in the shop at the moment, so I can't say they're checking again, or not, but the first 2 times, they did.)

[JustinTime]

I would honestly consider showing up with your husband (and possibly a lawyer!) and making it clear that you feel you are in your right to demand a NEW REPLACEMENT vehicle from their lot. I know I make it sound simple, and it won't be, but set the expectations REAL HIGH. They will either give you a new vehicle, or they will make darn sure they work on fixing your current one.

[teri2280]

Well, they didn't find any problems today. One of the techs is taking her home with them to see what happens between tonight and tomorrow morning. Hubby suggested hoping that they test the voltage of it tonight when they park it and tomorrow, even if it starts ok. Conniving woman that I am, I posted it on my facebook with the hopes that another one of our tech friends that I'm friends with on there will see it and let the tech who took it home know. Conniving, hell yes, but if it helps, I'll take it!!

We've thought about the whole lemon law thing. We actually know the people who run the local dealership fairly well, and don't want to really "go there", but might see what can be done. I think that if push comes to shove, they'd probably give us a hell of a deal on a trade-in/upgrade to a 13, BUT we're not entirely sure we wanna go THERE, either, especially if the 13s start having this problem also!

[JustinTime]

teri, did the battery issues start right away? Or did they manifest themselves after several weeks/months of ownership?

[teri2280]

Signed the lease in Feb 2012, first time in the shop for this was October, with first dead battery (the one the hubby thought was all me) in late Sept, at about 6500 miles. And after my first (and only, thus far) oil change, but I highly doubt that really has anything to do with it.

[fixer]

teri2280; Ask the dealer (your friend???) to trade cars with you. I wonder how long it will take to get fixed then??? I don't blame you one bit for getting mad over this, quite the contrary, I don't know how you stayed cool so long.

[lmaspen]

Thanks so much for the information about the service bulletin # 12-041 dated Nov. 13, 2012! Shouldn't Honda let owners know about this?

[lmaspen]

I also have this problem & live several hundred miles from a dealership. My battery issue started after several months of ownership. Now I need both the safety recall door latch work done & the software update. After going back to read all the posts I am concerned that the software update may not fully fix this problem.

[Ratchet]

This post bears repeating, particular when there's a TSP directly on point.

From reading this thread it seems a lot of people including dealers are still blaming the battery for this problem. If you have this problem go to a Honda dealer and refer them to TSB 12-041. [Linked above.] If they can't or won't flash the computer then ask them to make the calls to Honda Head Office or wherever they have to, to get it done for you. [Emphasis added.] . . . And please don't tell them your solution is to trade it in for a 2013. . . . I know how frustrating these dealers can be, but let's hold them responsible for [solving this] problem.