I bought by first Acura in 1986 (an Integra) and we’ve had an Acura in our household ever since. Recently, many electrical features have stopped working on my 2009 MDX. The drivers side door electrical sub harness has shorted out. (part #32757-STX-A00) This part is used in 2007-2010 MDXs. It has been on backorder since Summer 2020.
This means that the power windows do not work, power door locks do not work, and the tailgate cannot be opened externally. I can’t go to the drive-thru for the bank, fast food, etc. (What if I get pulled over by a cop? I won’t even be able to roll down the window…which will not be well received.)
Even the door to the fuel cap does not open..except manually. (You have to reach back to unlock a back door, lean the seat forward, and crawl into the cargo area in order to reach the fuel door latch. As if gas prices aren’t enough of a pain!)
I have called a dozen dealerships in the U.S. and six National warehouses. The part is not available through any warehouse, dealership, or after market sources (like eBay, Amazon, et al.) The dealerships will not work on repairing the harness.
The harness is a patented part. Acura has exclusive rights to produce it. And yet for a year, the part has been on back order. This part consists of wires and three plastic pieces. There is no integrated circuit or chip in it. Acura has no explanation for the shortage. And they won’t reveal the pin configuration or a diagram which would allow me to fix it myself.
I spoke with the case manager for Acura Client Care (David) at extension 87798 at 1-800-999-1009. He has placed a request with the exclusive maker of the harness for an update. He said I am in line with thousands of MDX owners. He is promising no results.
Acura used to take care of its customers. Now it seems that brands like Lexus and Toyota are a vanishing breed that still tries to earn brand loyalty.
It may not be their fault. Many car companies have parts on indefinite backorder due to supply chain problems. (It's not just a chip shortage, many materials are in short supply or unobtainable.)
A possible solution might be to obtain a good used part from a junkyard.
craigslist. I bought a door wiring harness from guy selling a door.
I’ve checked salvage yards. They do not take the time save a wire harness worth $60, when they’d rather sell the door worth hundreds. The first thing they do is cut the harness. Otherwise, you’d see a salvage market for wiring harnesses out there…which there is not. It’s a matter of priorities.
The sub harness in question is a proprietary part. Acura has exclusive control and rights to the patent. A supply problem that exists for a year on a wiring harness is more likely evidence of a company that chooses not be bothered with a low margin item for older cars. Yet, they guard their patents and don’t let others make them…or give owners the diagrams for repairing the wiring.
Occam’s Razor applies here: It is a business decision that places short-term savings over long-term customer loyalty. Guess which one of the two isn’t captured in a P&L statement?
brand loyalty.
When people talk of brand loyalty I always ask them do they think the brand will be loyal to them too or not. So there's no thing as brand loyalty in my opinion; it's loyalty to quality. Yes, I personally always buy Honda and Toyota and some might say I'm loyal to those brands, but in reality it's that I've stayed with these two because of their quality depending on the type of vehicle I want.
A supply problem that exists for a year on a wiring harness is more likely evidence of a company that chooses not be bothered with a low margin item for older cars.
Yes companies are in the business of making profit for sure, and I would say this is hundred percent the case with your issue too if it was before covid. But in this situation for example Honda has had to lower production and cut down on some trims or Toyota having to remove some options because they don't have enough parts and supply chain issues. Now if they put their focus on parts for newer vehicles rather than a car from 2009 I wouldn't be surprised given the current situation. Try junkyards as other people suggested.
give owners the diagrams for repairing the wiring.
Ask your independent mechanic to see if they can figure it out or if the diagram is available on the professional version of ALLDATA. Usually if you go to Autozone they'll print out the pages you need for free.
