Balenka

Thank you at blipsqueak for the detail information, DID WORK!!!! I have a 2003 Honda Element EX manual, with the intermittent start problem for 5 month.
I live in Massachusetts and the ignition switch has a different name brand Duralast L51182 Ignition switch.

lisec65

I am having the same problems with my 03' Element...I am the original owner. . last year I spent $800.00 at the Dealership and replaced the ignition system. . yesterday it wouldn't start (same thing happens that everyone has talked about).. I had it towed in to Sears automotive.. they checked battery and alternator. .all ok .. I am taking it in to the Dealership in the morning to get the starter system checked out as I have to have a car I can rely on. . have no idea what is going on, but I need it fixed.

popart1949

I have Honda Element '03 with 192,000 mi. About 4 months ago I couldn't get key into ignition without 20 attempts. then 2 mos. ago the car wouldn't start intermittently or if it did i noticed a slight hesitation. On Nov. 11 I had the battery replaced after it tested bad but the started tested ok. Then on Nov. 13 Honda dealer repaired 2 recalls: ignition switch key interlock and driver side airbag. They also checked the starting problem and said the car needed a whole switch assembly for $632 and electrical portion of of ignition switch for $241. They said the recall repair had nothing to do with repairs they diagnosed. BUT from reading in honda element owners forum, i gathered these starting issues are common and it's hit or miss repair and diagnosis. I was just told by a mechanic that the starting problem couldn't be diagnosed until it was tested when car had failed. So now I'm waiting to get stuck somewhere in a snowstorm. I have also read that besides the starter, the ignition switch or wiring relay might be at fault. Any suggestions? I don't trust the Honda dealer. Could this problem be considered part of recall??

Wildfish007

I have a 2003 Honda Element AWD and it was acting possessed 6 months after I bought it used from a private party. I was so pissed that I punched the dashboard too and then it was well-behaved again. It's been like this for a year now and getting a little worse especially in the cold. I live in Central OR. I have to hit it harder and it takes longer for it to be normal again. I did tell my mechanic months ago about the probably and he thought it was the battery. Now that I have more information on this, thanks to you all I will print out this forum and show my mechanic to try to get the problem fixed. Thank you again!!

chernandez9615

So, after the car not starting right and the dash not turning on for several years now and after hiring the dash board so hard, I figured out the problem with mine.

The wires that connect to the back of the cluster board are too heavy that they losen the connection. So I actually folded a small piece of paper to wedge the connections making it tighter. Ever since then I have had no problems with the cluster board, and the car starts up just fine every time. It's been about about year with no start issues.

popart1949

i am very excited that my car is fixed thanks to several people's help and experiences.
the simple solution was replacing the ignition switch for $155. much better than a new
starter or electrical system. thanks very much!

oneprblmcat

FWIW, I've found OEM ignition switches on Eb@y for less than $40. OEM from dealer will be much higher. Aftermarket is cheaper too but close to the OEM Eb@y price. I prefer OEM. Amazon will have them too. OEM Honda number is 35130-SAA-J5 Switch, Steering.

A new ignition switch fixed my hard starting issue but I never noticed any other problems like others list here. I've only had it a few weeks though. The contacts in the switch get worn. Happens to pretty much all ignition switches eventually but earlier in some cases, like ours I guess. And symptoms can differ on other models/makes. Just depends on the design of the switch.

Anyway, if part of your problem is feeling like you have to turn the key further than normal to get it to start, then that's typically indicative of a failing ignition switch in our Es. 5 Phillips screws and less than an hour are all it takes to swap out the switch.

Cheers!

MikesRJ

Rock Auto Search: p/n 35130-SAA-J5

RockAuto

chernandez9615

I am telling you guys to please read my post. I have done all the recommended replacement of parts and none have worked. I finally notice that the wires on the back of my cluster board were to hevy making a loss connection. All I did is wedge a piece of paper making the connection tighter and i have not had the problem since. It's been a little over a year and it is working just fine now.

mudweiser

So I assume you are referring to the instrument cluster when you say "cluster board"??

Can you confirm location? I want to try it out.

zebre

crazy but working !!! probably a bad contact to find. i did it this week end on my Honda Element 2003 ....