Honda Engine Start Button Flashing Red – What's Wrong and How to Fix?

Flashing red lights are rarely a sign of good things to come. If your Honda engine start button suddenly flashes red, you do not need to worry because you are not alone. Several Honda drivers have fought off panic in the exact same situation you are facing now. The flashing red light is all bark and no bite.

Ignition problems highlights

• Level of urgency:high
• DIY inspection:possible but complicated
• DIY repairs:usually,impossible
• Can you drive?no
• Price of repairs:$5 - $350
• If ignored:no start
• Ways to fix:check batteries, try another key fob, inspect and locate the issue

Switching From the Old Key Ignition System to the Push Start System

Most vehicles manufactured before the early 2000s have a key ignition system. In such cars, you can start your engine without engaging the brakes. Assuming all mechanical and electrical factors were optimal, all you had to do was ensure your vehicle was in neutral or park mode before turning your key in the ignition.

Consumers began to enjoy the convenience of the push start/stop button in the early 2000s. The new buttons came with strict conditions: the key fob must be within range, and the car's brakes must be engaged before starting your engine. The last thing car manufacturers wanted was the new convenience to cause people to ram into their garage walls whenever starting up.

By 2008 and 2018, keyless ignitions were present in eleven and sixty-two percent of all cars sold in America. The manual keys were hidden in fobs and forgotten about. Humanity would no longer have to fumble about for its car keys!

The more the keyless ignition system took over; the more normal braking was when starting up your engine. A whole generation of drivers has no clue that we could start our cars with the new norm of braking while at it.

Understanding How the Honda Engine Start Button Works

Your Honda engine start button makes it easier than ever for drivers to turn their vehicles on and off. Unfortunately, not even cutting-edge will start your car if the gear is not in park. The Honda engine start button may also fail to function as expected if you push without applying your brakes.

Your Honda engine's push-to-start feature relies on a unique signal emitted by your key fob. Only your key fob's signal can allow your Honda to turn on using the engine start button. Thus, the feature cannot work effectively if your key fob is not in the car with you. This feature prevents any intruder that breaks into your vehicle from driving away scot-free in your precious Honda.

You have probably started your Honda engine so often that you could do it in your sleep. You unlock your car, apply your brakes and then push the engine start-stop button until the car comes on.

When turning off your Honda, you ensure the parking gear is engaged before pressing your Honda engine start/stop button until your engine powers down ultimately. Once the vehicle is off, you should apply your parking brake.

It is advisable to ensure that your engine has turned off before exiting the car to reduce the risk of accidental carbon monoxide positing in enclosed areas like garages. You should also double-check that the parking brake is engaged to prevent your vehicle from rolling away.

The Reason Your Honda Engine Button Is Flashing Red

Now that we have rehashed how your Honda engine button operates, it will be easier to explain why it is flashing red. The most common reasons for the engine start/stop button flashing. The top two are:

1. Your car is in ACCESSORY mode.

As they surge to the future, tech engineers ensure they adopt the nifty old tricks of the outdated models they aim to replace. This is why your Honda start/stop engine button works in pretty much the same way as the traditional ignition key system.

Both systems allow drivers to use accessories like radios and USB ports without entirely starting the engine. It's called accessory mode.  

The vehicle automatically enters the accessory mode when you press the Honda engine start/stop button without applying the brakes. Turning it by one position would achieve the same effect if you were using a traditional key.

Anytime your Honda is in accessory mode, the engine starts/stop button will glow red. It does so for a good reason - to warn you that power is being drawn from your 12V battery. Lingering in the accessory mode for too long could leave you with a flat battery. You are well advised to put your car in READY mode if you plan to idle for more than a few minutes.

2. Your car is in ON mode.

If you press your engine start/stop button twice by stepping on your brake pedal, your vehicle will switch to ON mode. This mode triggers the undulating red engine start/stop button signal as with the accessory mode - for the same reason (drawing power from your 12V battery).

However, the ON power mode uses more power than the accessory mode because it lights up your entire dashboard and powers the windows and fans. This mode does not power the heat or air conditioning but could also leave you with a dead battery.

Solutions

As we mentioned above, the solutions to your Honda engine start/stop button flashing red are pretty straightforward.

Ensure Your Car is in READY Power Mode

Your first step after noticing the red flashing button should be switching off your engine. You can then restart it while firmly pressing on your brake pedal. This ensures that your car goes into a READY mode which presents as a solid red engine start/stop button.

Placing your car in the READY power will do more than make the flashing red light become solid red. It will now draw all electric power from your HV battery instead of the 12V one. You will also be able to operate basic functions like air conditioning and heat without worrying about a flat battery.

Check on Your Brakes

In some instances, a brake system malfunction may prevent your car from starting. You have probably picked it up by now. The push-to-start cars cannot start if the brakes are not applied. Your vehicle's starting ability directly relies on the brakes being pressed during start-up. Older key ignition systems were not as hung up on security.

Failing brakes will not directly affect your car's spark and fuel start-up system. Instead, the malfunctioning brake system will prevent your car from starting because your ECU will not allow it to happen. Manufacturers went to pains to ensure that the push to the start button did not reduce the safety of their vehicles.

If You Bought Your Honda Used, The Previous Owner Might Have Installed Extra Safety Measures

At times, older cars you would not expect to have the braking while starting set up are spruced up to contain this option. Some drivers engage mechanics to position an extra safety measure. A device is positioned to ensure the car cannot start without the brake pedal being pressed. This is most common when parents buy their teens a used first car.

Other Causes of Honda Start Button Problems

If your Honda engine start/stop button is flashing red alongside other symptoms, you may be suffering from one of these challenges:

• Your Key Fob's Battery May Be Drained

You would be surprised how many Honda start button problems are caused by drivers forgetting that their key fob battery won't last forever. Luckily this is one of the easier problems to correct because all you have to do is change the battery or use your spare key fob.

• Your Honda's Key Fob is Malfunctioning

A key fob with programming or wiring issues is bound to affect your remote start/stop engine button. When the fob fails to transmit the correct signal, your remote start button will fail to respond as expected.

• Your Honda's Starter May Be on the Fritz

If your Honda engine start button is generally acting weird, your starter may need replacement. If your button is not only flashing red but also failing to function in some instances, it may be a good idea to test your battery or have it checked out by a professional.

Conclusion

If your Honda engine start button is flashing red, it is probably because your vehicle is in ACCESSORY or ON mode instead of READY mode. The flashing light warns you that remaining in that power mode for long will drain your 12V battery.

If you cannot get rid of the flashing light after restarting your vehicle correctly, it may be time to consult your dealership or a well-experienced and reputable Honda mechanic.