Meter

Hello everyone. I've used this forum in the past to look up problems, but this time I can't find an existing thread to match my problem. I have a 1996 Honda Accord 4cyl automatic that is acting a little weird. It cranks and starts fine almost all of the time, but twice in the past two weeks it has not responded when I turn the key. The dash indicators come on faintly and I her a very weak clicking sound from the engine bay. Sometimes there is no click at all and only the dash lights come on faintly. I also hear the fuel pump buzz like normal. The ignition switch does provide resistance and bounce back as it normally does.


The battery is about 3 or 4 years old and I have not tested it. However, when the ignition does engage, it turns over perfectly with plenty of power to start the engine, so I don't think the battery is an issue. I also replaced the battery terminals about 6 months ago. There are no signs of corrosion on the new terminals. The odd thing here is that the first time this problem occurred, it eventually turned over, and the clock and radio were normal. The second time it happened a week later (today) they both reset as if I had disconnected the battery.


I really don't think it's the starter because I replaced it with a rebuilt one about 2 years ago. That's fairly new for a starter, but I suppose it could still have gone bad already. I acknowledge that this issue is acting a little like a sticking starter. I also replaced the cap, rotor, plugs, and plug wires about 1.5 years ago when I replaced those pesky O-rings in the spark plug wells.


It's strange because this is an intermittent issue at this point having only happened twice. I was able to start the car after about 10 minutes of turning the key back and forth this morning. It just randomly turned over on one of my many attempts. Right after I started it and pulled out of the driveway, I immediately stopped on the side of the road and turned the car off. It started again on the first try without hesitation.


What do you guys think? Do I need a new starter already? Could it be an ignition switch or something else? It kinda seems like there is an interruption between the ignition switch and the starter.


You help is much appreciated!

therhett17

My vote is for the starter, as mine did similar right before it went out. It would start fine most of the time, but sometimes it wouldn't do anything or it would just click. And then soon it quit altogether. Before my ignition switch went out, it always started just fine, but it would die while going down the road. And as for the battery, you could also always take it to get tested at an auto parts store.

That's my two cents, hope you get it figured out!

Meter

Thanks for the input therhett, I really appreciate it. However, the symptoms have changed a bit since I posted earlier today, so let me give you guys an update.

I just drove home from work, the car started fine btw, but while I was driving the radio kept turning off, then back on a few seconds later. I also noticed a slight dip in rpm each time the radio would turn off. The car never died, it just lost a slight bit of power for just a second. This mostly happened at idle and happened a total of about 8 times over the course of about 45 minutes. I also noticed a slight whining noise coming from the engine bay that I have not noticed in the past.

Thankfully I got it home and parked in the driveway. I turned it off and popped the hood with the thought of trying to locate the whine. Turns out turning it off was a bad idea because it won't start again and this time it's totally dead. It was just instinct to turn it off when I got home, I guess. Anyway, the dash lights don't even come on when I turn the key, no clicking, and no buzz from the fuel pump either. The clock doesn't come on and neither does the fan. The dome light comes on when I open the door, but it seems a little dim. I can't tell very well though because It's really bright outside right now.

The belt is good and tight, but I'm now wondering if this might be an alternator issue. I was able to drive it quite a ways, so it must have been putting out at least some juice if in fact it is dying. However, the car started perfectly when I left work, felt strong, no chugging or slow cranking, so it must have still been working well this morning. What do you guys think? Any other suggestions out there? I'm going to get the battery tested for sure, regardless of what the problem might be.

Odd to feel that slight rpm dip coinciding with the radio clicking off and back on though. Btw, the radio is aftermarket, Kenwood. I don't have a sound system or anything like that either.

Thanks again for all your help!

Meter

Ok another update. So, now that it's pretty dark outside I checked the dome light and it's pretty dim. I also noticed that the dash lights are coming on when I try and turn the key, but they are very dim. Still no hum from the fuel pump.

It appears that whatever is causing this issue is causing a battery drain as well.

I still don't think that the battery is the root of the problem

Thanks again everyone.

tim73

I would start with battery cables. Remove both, then clean terminals and battery lugs until they're very clean. Then add dielectric grease.

To find the phantom battery drain, you'll need a VOM. Put it on dc current highest amp reading. Then remove negative battery cable. Attach red lead to negative battery cable, attach black to the negative battery terminal. You'll receive a reading. Start removing fuses until the amps go to 0 or close to it. I'd start with radio fuse first.

Meter

Tim73, that's a great idea. A bad and/or heavily corroded battery cable could cause all of these issues that I've described including the battery drain. I'll check on that and let you know what I find out. Thank you for the help!

holmesnmanny

Check your battery connections first. If they look corroded clean em up real good.