silverhonda123

Greetings!
Engine sometimes starts and sometimes does not start immediately. is there a problem with starter motor?? Yesterday, the Check Engine Light showed up with the key in the ON position with the engine OFF. Went to Auto Zone and got the code - P1359. Could anyone please tell whats the problem? how much will it cost to repair?

Vehicle info: 1997 Honda Accord - 164K miles.

Thanks.

JimBlake

P1359 is for crank position/TDC sensor unplugged. On '98 (maybe same for '97?) that sensor is located low, behind the crankshaft pulley. The wire leads up along the lower timing cover & there's a plug somewhere between the timing cover & brake master cylinder.

Look for broken wires or maybe pins inside the plug that aren't making contact.

silverhonda123

Is there any reference picture available to locate the crankshaft sensor?

Thanks.

JimBlake

The sensor is #17 here, the wire leads up along the edge of the lower timing cover. This is '97 LX 4-cyl... (You didn't say V-6?)

silverhonda123

yeah its 4cyl Accord'97. thanks for the reference picture. how about the engine starting problem. I hear the click click click noise under hood when trying to start. after few tries, the engine starts.

Thanks.

JimBlake

That sensor tells the ECU when to fire the spark plugs & injectors. If it's sometimes becoming disconnected or flaky, that could cause the non-starting problem.

Unplug it & look for corrosion, loose, dirty, bent, pins inside the plug. And look for cut wires. Have you done any wiring work lately? You could look for the same problems where the wiring harness plugs into your ECU. Then if nothing else you can worry about the sensor itself going bad.

But... NOW you say "click-click" noise when you try to start? Does the starter spin the engine or not? That's an important answer to decide where to go next.

silverhonda123

Thanks for info.

Took the car to the garage and got the problem details the cost estimate.

Reason for Check Engine Light ON : Engine Misfire. Recommended to change the wiring and other parts. Ignition parts, filters -air, fuel etc., distributor cap, distributor rotor, spark plugs. cost - $181 labour - $111

Reason for Engine Starting problem: Starter Motor is failing. Recommended to replace with a new motor. Cost - $242 labour - $72

Could you please let me know if this is a fair estimate? Its a lot of money.

Jim , Now coming to your question about starter spinning the engine or not? Yes the engine does start after couple of attempts. Starts easily in the mornings and evenings - when the car is not used for a long time. After driving about 30+ min it takes couple of attempts to get the engine started.

Appreciate your help.

JimBlake

If you're comfortable with doing some work yourself, many of those things are pretty easy. I always do that stuff myself, so I'm not a real good judge about fair labor prices. But... your questions lead me to believe you don't do a lot of your own engine work.

P1359 is a pretty specific error, they're throwing a lot of normal tune-up stuff at it. A misfire would show up as another code (along with P1359).

Let me explain my question about the starter. When it does NOT start, there's 2 choices. (I'm specifically talking about the times when it doesn't start)
1 - Starter does NOT spin the engine. Crankshaft pulley & alternator belts don't spin.
2 - Starter DOES spin the engine but it fails to start.

If it's #1 then they are right to replace the starter. If it's #2 then the starter is doing its job.