shrekfiona

Hi
My 2006 Honda Accord 6 speed manual transmission failed to start in the morning(105K miles). As it was a manual transmission, I could push start the car. Got the batteries checked and they were fine. Took it to the Honda Service center who confirmed it was the starter motor. Cost me $650 in Houston TX to get it done. First real major unplanned expense (other than flat tires obviously).
The intent of this post is to get some idea as to what is the normal wear and tear for a starter motor. Also in case you guys do not have a manual tranmission and the starter motor dies, is there some push start technique that would work?

Shrek

0AFH-Parts

iTrader: (3)

Push start will not work on an automatic.

I haven't heard of J-Series starters failing prematurely. I suppose 100K isn't terrible but it's also not something I would expect from Honda.

Glad you got your car up and running again.

MSchu

no such thing as normal wear and tear model... there are to many factors that affect the scenario including where you live and who made the failed starter motor itself.

shrekfiona

@AFH-Parts
That is what caught me off guard. Would love to get a ball park figure on how long starters generally last.

@MSchu
Asked the dealer a similar question on how or why the starter motor failed and never got a proper answer ergo my question to experts here.
I live in a hot and humid city agreed. Assuming there was no manufacturing defects, is there a right way and wrong way to start a car? Tips on maintenance are also appreciated.

0Steve@Spreen

Heat is the root of all evil when it comes to electrical components on any car. Starters are very susceptible to heat damage. So 100k is not crazy early for starter replacement. For example, in the past twelve months, we've sold/replaced 22 starters (all for the auto...we never seem to get the 6spd Accords here). Now that starter fits 03-07 Accords and 05-06 Odysseys so that is a lot of vehicles (we're talking the auto trans version...the manual version fits 03-07 Accords only, still a lot of cars). We have not sold a manual trans starter as of yet this year. Mitsuba is the only mfg of the starter for this year.
$650 to replace the starter? We charge $220 for labor and $315 (plus tax) for the part here, Houston rates are not too far out of line.

shrekfiona

Thank you Steve@Spreen especially with the part about the rate in California. I did not realize that there was a difference between the starter for a manual and an automatic.
Heat is something we people in Houston will have to live with. If you do not have a covered parking at work then your car takes a beating. I have lost my front windshield to the heat already.

foshoopd

Mine went out at about 8yrs, 80k, on a 2003 4cyl auto. Intermittent dead spot that would start sometimes but then not. Changed the batt, tested the alt, all electronics worked fine. Changed the starter (which into have to say is mounted in a fairly inconvenient spot) and have not had the problem again. Easy to change, just took a few hours.