Hondatastic

Yesterday my accord would not start, I turn the key and it is dead, lights are all on and I can hear the fuel pump wind (I think) but it is just dead, it does not crank or turn over at all.

I took the battery to the store and they tested it and said it was bad, it was only putting out about 400 for cold start so I bought a new one, of course that did not fix the problem although I guess I needed a new battery anyways.

The only thing left I can think of is the starter, would I be better off trying to rebuild it or does anyone know of something easier to replace on the starter or am I better off just buying a new one?

Do any of you happen to know where I can find a few pics of how to replace the starter? I have never replaced on on a Honda so I don't know if it is much different, from what I have heard it's not a big deal.

HrZnAccRd

have you tried having someone tap the starter while you try and start the car? If that works then it's definitely your starter. I'm having the same issue right now as well. But it only happens once in awhile. I'll be changing my starter in the next few days.

Ronin1

Have someone try to start the car while you have the hood up and are listening or just listen closely while you try to start it. Do you hear any sort of clicking sound under the hood?

You did not say whether your car has an automatic or a manual transmission. There are different switches to keep the car from starting when in gear. In a manual transmission car there is a switch that the clutch pedal engages when you push it to the floor and on an automatic transmission car there is a neutral safety switch which is supposed to allow the engine to start only when the transmission is in the park or neutral positions.

If you have an automatic and it will not start in the park position, try starting it in the neutral position. Sometimes this will work for a little while. It is possible to jump the neutral safety switch to see if the problem is with it or the starter or elsewhere. If you have a multi-meter try checking to see if the starter is getting voltage to it when you try to start.

With a manual transmission car you can easily see the switch and push it to see if it appears to be working. I think there is a thread somewhere or other with some pix of that switch.

The details of this should be in the manual for your car.

Hitting a starter with a hammer may kill it as the magnets in modern starters are fairly fragile.

Hondatastic

It is a 96 Accord, 4 cylinder, automatic (4 speed I guess). I think it is a DX, it has power windows, locks and cruise but thats about it.

When I turn it over I don't hear a click, I do hear a sound that is sort of like a click but it is coming from the dash board area.

I tried starting it in nuteral and that did not work.

I currently have the car on ramps, does anyone have a link to a diagram or pictures that sho where the starter is? I looked around and the only thing I can find that looks similar to the starter is in the general area of tha battery opposite end from the belt. Shouldn't it be more underneath and back?

Something else that I wonder is could it be the solanoid (SP?), if so is that close to the starter? I know some of the starters have wires running from it to the solanoid.

Thanks for any help you all can give me, I am in a jam with only one car and I hope to get it fixed tomorrow.

Update: I asked my wife to turn the key with the hood up and I did hear a clicking noise after I gave the starter a tap or two (or I didn't notice it before). When she tried to turn the car on I hear it click and it sounds like it struggled a little but it was not very loud, it never started.

Does that indicate the start rather than the solenoid? Is the solenoide attached to the starter?


Modified by Hondatastic at 3:41 PM 11/27/2007

CD5 Jeebies!

have you even checked for spark yet????

poid

Believe it or not, when my starter died all i had to do to fix it was open it up and clean the crap out of it so that it was clean(er) inside. Put it together again and its been working for like 2 years with no problems.

Probably worth a try before buying a new starter.

moonjaw2002

If you stand on the passenger side of the car and look at where the top radiator hose goes to the engine, look down below it and a little to the left it is hid benieth all of the hoses.The starter is on top of the trany.It is held in place with two bolts,the one on the left is sort of hidden and you will have to feel around for it.
The small wire that goes to the solinoid on mine disenegrated and caused me the same problem sometimes it would start and sometimes not.
When working on the starter or any electrical always disconnect the battery.
Mark

Ronin1

It does sound like you are getting "juice" to the starter. Does the battery seem to be providing adequate power to your other electrical items? Turn the headlights on and take a look at them to see if they look normal or are "weak", just to make sure that you do not have a problem with either the battery or alternator.

Double check the battery cables (and the ground to see if they look OK before you disconnect them prior to removing the starter.

You can remove the starter and take a look to see if there is anything odd about the drive gear or whatever. If that looks fairly normal, you can either connect a set of jumper cables to a battery to test it or have a shop do it, but the odds are that it is in need of replacement.

If you have an electrical rebuilder in your area who does starters and alternators you can try them or else see who has a rebuilt unit in stock...or how long it will take to get one. Actually, I would check that before removing the starter.

Hondatastic

I bought new batter and it still did the same thing, it tested bad so iguess it needed to be changed eventually anyways.

Took the started to the shop and it was DOA, putting the new one in tonight.

Honda-Master

http://www.hondaaccordforum.co...m.htm

hope this helps..