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Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

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Old 05-19-2018, 03:21 PM
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Default Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Hi,
I have this strange intermittent starting issue on my 2013 accord lx 4cyl 55k miles
new battery

​​​​​sometimes it starts in 1st try, but sometimes it takes upto 8-10 tries to start the car.

all I hear is a click sound when I turn the key, no crank at all, but when it cranks it starts rightaway.

I tried using the spare key, replaced battery, cleaning the battrey terminals but no luck

I talked to dealer and they said keep driving until it dies then tow it to us.

looks like it's common issue with 2013-2017 models, many owners are complaining but not sure if it's starter failing or relay or any other electronic Part ?

please suggest how to pinpoint the cause of this problem, don't want to pay $800 to delar just to replace starter and to find later that same issue still exists.
Old 07-12-2018, 08:34 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I have same exact issue but mine is a stick shift. Did you ever find a resolution?
Old 07-14-2018, 06:31 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

push button or normal key? weve been having problems with push buttons at our dealer. ive put plenty starters on the push button cars
Old 07-14-2018, 06:51 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

It’s a turn key no push start. Stick shift.
Old 07-14-2018, 08:04 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Needs a starter ! I've had many of these come in the dealer with bad starters. Also don't get a, aftermarket starter they aren't as reliable as the Honda ones, I've replaced numerous of them that were put in from independent shops.
Old 07-15-2018, 04:22 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

But you never hear any click like normally get if it was a starter though. I read a lot threads people saying dealershift has replaced starters and issue comes back.
Old 07-15-2018, 06:26 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I hear a click. Sometimes it almost sounds like you hear the click at the push button itself, but I've replaced about 6 of them, and haven't had one come back.
Old 07-15-2018, 06:36 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I don’t have a push start. It’s a turn key and you just have dash lights come on and no click at all.
Old 07-15-2018, 06:52 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

How's the battery?
Old 07-15-2018, 07:01 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Battery hs proper voltage and it’s intermittent. Happened to me twice within two week. Took three cranks. Wife used car last week took 15 cranks. She said eventually took car out of gear and coinsidently it started.
Old 07-15-2018, 07:19 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Located underhood fuse box

Check the main relay see if it has any
breaks, come to think of it, i had a buddy at the shop that looked at a tow in car because it wouldn't start at times, the main relay
had a break in # 12-3
Old 07-15-2018, 08:03 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Thanks, I’ll have a look. But if it was a break wouldn’t you have a hard no start not intermittent issue? Since it’s a fuse?
Old 07-15-2018, 08:09 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I mean it could be making some contact causing it to start at times & not at others. Just check it out
Old 07-29-2018, 04:44 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

So the delay checks out fine and sorry for delay. I’ve been away for work. It’s now happening like every morning and a buddy suggested tap clutch few times see if starts. It does so don’t know if it’s just councedence because eventually it does start or something with clutch sensor.
Old 07-30-2018, 12:40 PM
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Icon4 Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

So, I again changed the car battry, this time got litle bigger than the original my cas has. costco has one standard and other for California/Canada. both for 4cyl
anyway, my issue is still same, have to turn the key many times and hope to get lucky, its getting worse day by day.

so far i have been hearing from other owners in the same situation that either issue is with Starter or ignition coil but hard to pinpoint, may owners had to change starter multiple times so maybe it was not a starter, could be ignition coil?

I just hope Honda comes back with recall and fix this issue, thousands of 2013-2017 Accord cars having the same problem.
Old 07-30-2018, 01:53 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I took my starter out yesterday with my brother in law whose used to be a mechanic. He opened it all up and starter is in good shape and no sign of wear. I dont think its a starter issue with because i dont hear the starter click as if its trying to fire.
Old 07-30-2018, 02:50 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I'm reading up on the tech line forum through Honda. Someone posted that the car would crank but not start: his fix was a ign coil relay
Does the pgmfi have any codes stored ?
Old 07-30-2018, 08:11 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue


Originally Posted by Audripulls
Located underhood fuse box

Check the main relay see if it has any
breaks, come to think of it, i had a buddy at the shop that looked at a tow in car because it wouldn't start at times, the main relay
had a break in # 12-3
just to get some clarification, I tried checking it as you mentioned in the pic, I see #12 is a long slim bar, not sure how to open it, do I need to pull up or open with screw? I can see other fuse in the box it's just #12 is confusing. I attached a pic from my car fuse box. Let me know if you see anything unusual.
Old 07-30-2018, 09:02 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Go ahead take the screw off and pull out the long black bar, After you pull it out you can see the numbers on top find 12-3 and check for any break, I'm pretty sure it's almost see through on the side so you can visually inspect it. Let me know what you see
Old 07-31-2018, 02:20 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue



Originally Posted by Audripulls
Go ahead take the screw off and pull out the long black bar, After you pull it out you can see the numbers on top find 12-3 and check for any break, I'm pretty sure it's almost see through on the side so you can visually inspect it. Let me know what you see
Thanks! I had a look, it looks okay, (pics attached).

what do you suggest with this interment starting problem, I got the starter and alternator tested as well at OReillys, test result were :

when car started :
battrey :pass
starter : pass (~95 volts)
alternator : failed (voltage was varying )

when car did not start (just click )
starter: failed (35 volts )

they suggested replacing both starter and alternator.

does this give any symptoms of any other issue?
either electrical or mechanical?

guessing for some reason starter has to put extra effort to turn the flywheel? is it possible that it has more friction to turn?

I did get extended warranty via the previous owner, which was originally given by Honda dealer.

have the only powertrain left, while non-powertrain has expired, would it help me in any way.

please suggest what the best option for me in this situation.
Old 07-31-2018, 02:29 PM
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Icon2 Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Originally Posted by amor1210
I took my starter out yesterday with my brother in law whose used to be a mechanic. He opened it all up and starter is in good shape and no sign of wear. I dont think its a starter issue with because i dont hear the starter click as if its trying to fire.

FYI - there are about 100 owners in the same situation, look at their complaints, hope Honda comes back with a recall

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/..._failure.shtml

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2013/electrical/
Old 07-31-2018, 06:24 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

If the car clicks when you try to crank it over, I go no further & replace the starter. I've done at least 7 of them this year in the shop, very common.
I doubt its a alternator.
The fuse is good.
Old 08-01-2018, 09:45 PM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

Thanks! That's the most confusing part, because sometimes it start in 1st try, but sometimes it takes few tries... if starter is bad why would it start ultimately

to make it even more weird : many owners in same situation mentioned that, after changing starter multiple times, this issue still exists.

I even went to honda service center, they said it's common issue with 2013-17 accord, they can't pinpoint if it's starter or ignition control switch or something else, so they suggested to keep driving until it dies then tow it to the service center.

it really sucks, starter replacement is around $800 at dealership
Old 08-02-2018, 06:14 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I've done many of them, and I've had cars that have Had starters done at independent shops with aftermarket starters, and end up coming to the dealer.
from what I've seen don't put a aftermarket starter in it.
I haven't had one car come back yet from a starter I've replaced. With OEM starter that is.
Old 08-03-2018, 05:33 AM
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Default Re: Accord 2013 4cyl - intermittent starting issue

I am having the same issue. I brought a used 2014 Honda Accord Sport it still has under 60,000 miles. I have heard of a crank shift sensor is the issue. Can someone confirm this?


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