brcivic411

Hey all,

I need some help with my wife's accord. Last week she was complaining that the car was having trouble starting.

She said she would try to start the car, but nothing would happen. The dash would light up, but there was absolutely no noise coming from the engine compartment. She would then turn the key off, and try to start again and this time the engine would fire right up.

She said the car did this all last week.

This morning she tried to start the car and no matter how many times she tried, the car would not start.

I went to take a look and the battery is fine (good connections and clean contacts). When I turn the key there is no sound whatsoever. Maybe a click or 2 but the starter isn't turning.

I tried to jump her car from my car but still nothing.

I know I need to check the starter with my voltmeter, but does it sound like a starter issue or solenoid issue?

Thanks!
Bryan

Elvis1977

how many miles are on the car? is it a 4-cyl?

brcivic411

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Elvis1977 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how many miles are on the car? is it a 4-cyl?</TD></TR></TABLE>

There are ~ 80K miles on the car. It's a 4-cly

jweller

have you had the ignition switch recall done? there were a lot of accords affected by that recall, and it sounds like that could be the problem.

if you talk to the right person in the service department, they might even do the "recall" on your car without it being a recalled VIN

JimBlake

If you can get it to crank by rapping on the starter with a stick or a screwdriver handle, then it's a starter solenoid going bad.

Sometimes, if it's the ignition switch, you can make it start by holding or pushing the key in different directions to make contact with a flaky switch.

If you can get some response by either of these things, that'll tell you which kind of problem you're dealing with.

brcivic411

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jweller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">have you had the ignition switch recall done? </TD></TR></TABLE>

anymore info on this recall? I wasn't aware of one for this car.

edit: Found some info... but it sounds like the recall deals more with simply being able to remove the key from the ignition while the car is in any gear.

brcivic411

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JimBlake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you can get it to crank by rapping on the starter with a stick or a screwdriver handle, then it's a starter solenoid going bad.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

How do I do this? Does the key need to be in the 'ON' position?

JimBlake

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brcivic411 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How do I do this? Does the key need to be in the 'ON' position?</TD></TR></TABLE>Have her try to start it while you have the hood open. If the starter doesn't crank, have her hold the key at the 'start' position while you rap on the starter. Be careful, because if this works, it'll make the starter run.

Elvis1977

I also have a 98 accord. Your car is included in the recall campaign for IGNITION SWITCH (electrical) and in about 1 month another recall will be out concerning the ignition switch (non-electrical). Go to the nearest honda dealership ASAP.

brcivic411

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Elvis1977 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Go to the nearest honda dealership ASAP.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's the problem... the car doesn't run so I'd have to get it towed.

RotaryBzzzz

AAA or 20th century or Costco insurance to tow - free.

JimBlake

Check out the recall, first. As far as I can tell the recall is based on VIN or something, not EVERY Accord is included. They continue to insist that MY '98 Accord isn't part of that recall. (Well, my ignition switch hasn't screwed up either...)

Elvis1977

Jim,

You are right. Not all accords are affected, but most are on 98 accords. Another way to check is by registering your car on the HONDA website. You need to put in your VIN and the website automatically checks all recalls. Who knows, Jim, maybe yours IS a recall on your 98.

brcivic411

well, i doubt that the recall has anything to do with my problem... since the ignition switch seems to be working (dash lighting up).

I'll have to test it with my voltmeter tonight. I do have USAA so I'll have to check to see if they give free towing.

Elvis1977

I remember having a problem starting my car on the first try. The second try was ok. All problems went away when the dealership replaced the electrical part of the ignition switch under recall.

brcivic411

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Elvis1977 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I remember having a problem starting my car on the first try. The second try was ok. All problems went away when the dealership replaced the electrical part of the ignition switch under recall.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess the best way to test this is to see if the 12V wire going to the starter is actually receiving 12vs

JimBlake

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brcivic411 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess the best way to test this is to see if the 12V wire going to the starter is actually receiving 12vs</TD></TR></TABLE>Exactly! You mean the starter signal wire from the ignition switch, right? If it isn't, try wiggling or pushing the key & see if that closes the circuit.

4DRPIMPIN

check to see if the starter is getting 12v, if it is not then clean the battery connections even if they look clean, sometimes the change in weather will cause a little corrosion. see if that works

brcivic411

I haven't tested the voltage yet.. but when I got home I tried to start it again.

When I turn the key to the on position, there's one loud click and then a slight buzz/hummm as I hold the key there.

The dash lights up but nothing else.

I'll give another update.

brcivic411

I pretty much think it's the starter.

Here's what I did:

1) measured voltage at the battery: 12+ V
2) measured voltage at the solenoid wire while my wife turned the ignition on: ~11.9V
3) measured voltage at the starter wire: ~12V
4) I attached a wire from the + battery post to the solenoid post (where the solenoid wire from the ignition attaches to): Some clicks and some sparks but the engine did not start.

Hopefully I can get my hands on a starter and put it in tomorrow night.

JimBlake

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brcivic411 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I pretty much think it's the starter...</TD></TR></TABLE>Looks that way to me.

brcivic411

Just wanted to thank everybody who gave their input.

I swapped the starter out last night. It was a no brainer but you really need the right socket extension to get to the back bolt.

Car fired up just fine.

Elvis1977

I'm glad you repaired your problem. It's hard to believe a starter went bad on a HONDA at ONLY 80K. That would NEVER happen to a TOYOTA at 80K. I've owned many Toyota's and still believe they are better than HONDA. Not to say HONDA's are bad, they are just NOT better. I'm still trying to figure out my STUPID idle vibration that has been driving me nuts for 4 months now and it only has 111k miles.