2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

SO I'm having troubles with my RSX. I left camping last weekend left the car at my cousins. When I came back to pick it up it started well no problems no issues. The following day Mon morning it didn't want to start. The dashboard lights turned & all but no crank. Swapped the starter because to my thought I believed it could've been that but it was no good. If I mess with the shift knob while I have the ignition switch on it'll start. It takes some time but it will start.

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

CEL? Maybe a clutch switch?

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

If this is a manual car (like all Type S RSX's are), the shifter would have absolutely nothing to do with the car starting. I am not even sure why you would try to row it around, but whatever... the suggestion above about the clutch switch is a good start, as well as the charge harness between the battery and the starter. Corrosion/damage of this harness will make the car difficult to start.

Since your post potentially suggests that you have an automatic transmission (I only say this because messing with the auto shift knob may actually engage the "parking pawl"), you may have to investigate the automatic shifter mechanism as well.

Do you hear ANY noise when you are trying to start the engine ???

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

My CEL is on but it was because of my knock sensor now I haven't checked to see what it is because I replaced the Knock sensor.

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

No engine noise when I try starting it.

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

So get to work: Check battery voltage, check main relay and starter relay/fuses. Any fuel pump noise? Still haven't verified that it is manual/automatic, which is it? Just making sure it's a type S 6 speed. make sure it's not in reverse, some reverse lockouts include engine kill switches. Check shifter mechanism make sure it's connected to the stick lol. Check the CEL again. Any tick from the starter solenoid? Did you CONNECT the starter solenoid?

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

There is not a "neutral switch" on a manual Honda... so I am assuming you are referring to the clutch switch. No sound when starting... like no click, nothing suggests that the clutch switch is the culprit. Remember that there are TWO clutch switches on the clutch pedal... the lower one is for the cruise control and has nothing to do with the starting. The upper one... yeah the one that is much harder to get to... is the one that keeps the car from starting if the clutch isn't depressed.

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

You can unplug it and use a paperclip to "loop" the 2-pin plug and then try to start the car. If the switch (or switch pad in the clutch pedal arm) are bad, then the car will start with the switch plug jumped. It is just inconvenient to get to since it is way high up under the dash near the top of the clutch pedal arm.

Re: 2003 Acura RSX Type-S
 

Cool. Thanks. I'll definitely Try it out. Really appreciate the help.