dctaz37

I bought this car 2 years ago and it now has 172,000km. The motor cranks over fine but it doesn't start right away. When cranking it sometimes makes a funny sound like air being squeezed out, the noise sounds like the clutch on the starter. If you stop cranking then start again, it starts. I replaced the plugs not too long ago but it didn't make a difference.


The starter really seemed to labor in the winter time, it never really cranked like previous Honda's I've owned, even after replacing the battery.


Did a pressure test at the fuel rail, turn the key on 52 then down to 46 right away. After 15 min. it did not move off 46. Start car with no pressure loss. Turn key off and left for 2 hours, down to 38. Turn key on and same as first test.

poorman212

Hard one to call. If the starter speed is not where it should be then the battery - said it was repalced - battery connections should be inspected and then have the starter tested.

dctaz37

Ran the tank down until the gas light appeared, put fuel conditioner/cleaner in. Added 10 liters and ran that down. No difference. One trick I found is if I crank it over once, stop, then crank again it always starts right away.

poorman212

Again this is hard to call over the internet......does the speed of the starter seem slow on first crank vs being faster on the second?

A good cleaning/inspection of the cables and their connections never hurts and costs nothing but time if you DIY.

dctaz37

It seemed to crank at the same speed. Connections are clean.

dctaz37

Does anyone have suggestions? I may have to bring it in to the dealer.

dctaz37

Still not resolved. No engine error codes, checked spark, cleaned throttle body, move plugs+coils around-no change. I did notice that the throttle body makes a high pitch noise, this happens for a few seconds when you turn the key on and constant when you press the gas with the car not running. Does this give anyone a suggestion?

poorman212

What size engine is in the car - 4 or 6 cyl.

Could you tell what piece on the TB was making the noise?

dctaz37

4 cyl 2.4. Not sure what part but when I unplugged the connector the noise stopped.

poorman212

Got a pic of "said" connector? Wire colors to it would help also.

Let me try to explain a weak battery - say a bad cell or weak connection. You go to start the car and you get "rapid" clicks from under the hood. Turn the key back off.....your going WTF is happening. Next your turn the key to start and everything is fine.....humm, what just happened. Oh well the car is running, I'm happy.

Don't get me wrong, it could be the starter but I'm the one that likes to test/ verify everything before spending money.

dctaz37

I don't have a pict., I can take one though. It is the only connector on the throttle body. The starter doesn't make a clicking noise and I know what you are talking about. I think it is cranking over okay. All the Honda's I've owned start after a couple of cranks, this one was 3-5 since I bought it. Now it only starts sometimes in 3-5 cranks. Motor turns over then makes a chugging noise where the pully for the power steering actually stops or clutch engages on it.

poorman212

On the 05 4 cyl that would be the throttle position sensor. IMHO not something that "usually" goes bad on a Honda and not real fun to replace.

Shop manual doesn't have much on testing the TPS, I might be able to back into some testing.....three wires, one should have 5v, one should act as a ground, one is the ref signal back to the PCM.

poorman212

Ok, I got bored and it was easier to find.....verify the wire colors you have at the sensor.

GRN/YEL - is gorund.

YEL/BLU - is the 5v ref signal. Meaning that with the key is on there should be 5v on that wire

RED/BLK - this is the "feed/input" to the PCM. With the idle closed you should have ~.5 v and at WOT you should have ~4.5v

dctaz37

Okay I'll take a look. I'm pretty sure it is getting powe but it probably shouldn't make a high pitch noise, I can't see that being normal. Could the bypass thermovalve be the problem?

poorman212

Could be but I would think you'd have other issues beside just a starting issue....looping idle and that.

Does it act up all the time - cold start, warm start, hot start.

dctaz37

Yes hard to start all the time. If you push the gas 1/4 throttle it seems to help.

poorman212

Sounds like time to get the voltmeter out and back probe the TPS wires and see what readings you are getting

dctaz37

I tested the bypass thermovalve and there is vacuum when cold and then none when warms up. I called our local Honda and spoke to the service manager, he explained my problem to his techs and they have not heard of this problem before. I'm going by there Wednesday so they can take a listen.

dctaz37

Changed the starter and now starts great. Took the old one apart and two of the brushed were gone, also deep groves on I believe it is called the stater (part that turns) Not sure if that is how they balance it. Anyhow this is a load off 1.25 hours. Thanks again for your help.

poorman212

Cool, glad you got it.