sigmo

First, I tried searching and had no luck. To make sure, I tried to scan through everything topic and make sure there wasn't a post about this in this section of the site. If I missed a post talking about this problem, sorry.

Every once in a while, my 94 Honda Accord EX with manual transmission will not start at all. It has been a week since it has done this, and 2 months since the time before that. It will start up just fine and there will be no problem at all. I'll drive it out to a place to eat, go in and eat, then come back out and it won't start.

When I say it won't start, I mean I'll put the key in, turn it, and it won't click or make any sound at all. I have tried moving the shifter in and out of neutral and into different gears, and starting from there and it makes no difference that I can tell. I've also tried shifting it into neutral and let it roll a little bit to make sure the brakes weren't locked up, and they weren't.

It seems like after I try it several times, I'll sit there for a few minutes angry at it, then try it and it'll start up like there wasn't a problem in the first place.

And it has gone completely random amounts of time between this happening. It's done it in winter and summer as well.

Also, whenever it does this, I can push in on the brakes and they feel "stiffer" for lack of a better word. They don't let me push in as much and I have to apply more force. I don't push in too hard, and have checked several times and the brake fluid level is always on the full line.

Any help or opinions on how to fix this (minus a sledge hammer) would be greatly appreciated.

jwicecold

Well if where you live is starting to get cold like where I live starters that are older tend to cease up... That could be one problem..
Also on M/T you have to make sure when you try to star it that its in first gear, or possibly neutral. It has a safety feature when in gears it wont start.. try it. see what I mean.

P_Adams

It will be one of two things.
The electrical portion of your ignition switch (Now you know why Starships don't have them) or
The Clutch Safety Switch, mounted on the Clutch pedal hanger.

Oh, and Honda had a TSB on the Ignition Switch issue (and it MAY have risen to the "recall" level of severity.

P

sigmo

jwicecold: Yeah, whenever it first started to do this, it was just getting cold, so I thought it might have to do with the temperature change... but whenever it started to do it the middle of winter and middle of summer, that kind of ruled that out. And whenever I start it, its either in neutral or 1st. Just whenever it started screwing with me did I try from other gears, figured it couldn't hurt any worse then not starting. Thanks for the tips though. After I get this fixed, I'll try that just to see if it makes any noises or something so I'll know what to listen for in the future if I'm having a stupid moment and forget and it's not in first before starting.

P-Adams: Thanks for the two things to look at. I'll start with the Clutch Safety Switch since it doesn't sound like there would be as much taking stuff out to get to it, but then again, I could be wrong, I'm not too savvy with cars.

NeKe1point0

i've been having the same symptoms youre experiencing

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2414609

Your issue sounds more to be a main relay, than clutch/ignition switch. (my opinion)

My master cylider for the brakes just went out... Bc of this I have been unable to drive and continue to troubleshoot my issue. My new MC should be in by the first part of this week so ill see if i get stranded AGAIN !

P_Adams

I've said this elsewhere and I'll repeat it here:

"The clicking he is discribing is from a non-reactive starter (it will not turn over)

The Main Relay has no related function for the starter.
The Main relay is (in effect) two relays in one.
The first powers the fuel pump
The second powers the ECM

The Starter utilizes two circuits.
The first utilizes: Battery / Fuse / Ignition Switch / Neutral Start Switch* / Starter Solenoid / Chassis Ground / Battery.
The second utilizes: Battery / (Solenoid) / Starter Motor / Chassis Ground / Battery.

P

*Automatic (Clutch Over-ride Switch for Manuals)

sigmo

I don't know, I heard earlier today that the Clutch Safety Switch can be somewhat tempermental based on temperature. I guess older ones (don't know about newer ones) after driving the car for a while can warm up, and if you shut the vehicle off and then try to start it soon after, if they are still warm they can act up and not let the car start.

P_Adams

That's a new one.
I've had problems arise from both broken and mis-adjusted Clutch Override Switches, but not a Thermal Intermittant condition.
Thermal Intermittant conditions are mostly limited to electronic components and electro-mechanical componets utilizing very close tolerances.
You could (however) be running afoul of the Cheeze Wiz that Honda uses for an assembly lube for their switch assemblies. It hardens over time and can interfere with the contracts operating correctly

The good news is that it's as cheap as dirt (as far as Honda Parts goes (That is)), and not that aggrivating to install. If it doesn't fix it......hey, it's only money; and you move on to the ignition switch.

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sigmo

Yeah, hopefully this will fix it though, so I can move on to replacing the Fuel Sender Unit (at least I THINK thats what will fix it). And at like $50, its not too bad. Just curious though, do you have any idea about somewhere on the net that might have a guide to replacing that switch, or might it come with instructions for replacement?

P_Adams

Instructions from Honda? You have a better chance of having your student loan payed by the Federal Government

I'll see if I can scare something up for you

P

sigmo

I figured it was at least worth a shot asking. If you can find something, I'd appreciate it. If not, thanks for giving it a shot. I know a guy I can ask about it if I need to, I just try not to because he is busy with other things.