Musicmaker

About half the time, the push button start will light the console but won't crank the car. I can push the button again and the "power on" message comes on and then I push the button again and the car cranks. Took it to a Honda mechanic and he could not figure it. He says that his Honda mechanic friends know about it but don't have a fix for it. Any ideas?

tech8

For some 2013 Accords, the possible cause may be due to faulty software with keyless access control unit. Corrective action was to replace the keyless access control unit.

Your 2014 may have a similar cause.

GIZZ - EXV

Musicmaker

Engine and key batteries are pretty new.

tech8

You still should get the car battery tested. It is free at most auto parts stores.

It is not unheard of for the battery to be bad after this time.

Musicmaker

Will do. Thanks for the reponses.

Musicmaker

Just to follow up on the starting issue, I took the car to the dealership and it was the starter. It was a simple problem that my original (non- dealership) mechanic tried to make complicated. He swore it wasn't the starter. Guess what. It was.

r_u_live

How many miles on your car ? I have same issue on my 4cyl 2013 accord, 55k miles . It started couple months back but starting issue getting more frequent now.

my honda dealer said. Keep driving until it fails then tow it to dealership, bucause they can't pinpoint if it's starter or relay or something else.

Honda dealer quoted almost $800 for starter replacement.

I also reported to honda corporation and opened case, it's common issue with 2013-17 models. Thousands of owners complaining.

how much they charge to replace the starter ? Or Did they cover under warranty?

DCFIVER

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...relay-3314686/

r_u_live

So, I got the battery, starter and alternator tested 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 to replace 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 previous owner , which was originally given by honda delaer.

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

I know prior owner was rear-ended by a truck couple years back, would that accident might cause any issue like this ?

please suggest whats the best option for me in this situation.

Musicmaker

My car has 62K on it. I have an extended warrenty, which I am not normally not a fan of but I am reconsidering that position because they say the repair would have been $600.

r_u_live

So your extended warranty covers starter replacement? That's good decision you made to get extended warranty .

mine nonpowertrain is expired and only powertrain is left, I doubt it's gonna cover

just curious how did you confirm that starter is bad, is it based on test from battery terminal or any other extensive test you got done ?

Musicmaker

Apparently the warrenty I got was a good one and it covers virtually everything up to 6 years from purchase or up to 80,000 miles. It really is amazing. Glad I did it now. I have no idea how they determined that it was the starter. I can say with confidence that the problem I had is fixed. The first non dealer mechanic I took it to who specializes in Honda cars scratched his head and he said he even called his dealership buddies to no avail. So I don't know if it was a tricky situation or if he just missed it for whatever reason.

Girl-Trapped

Was the starter making a grinding sound whenever it failed to start--like an incomplete engagement of the starter with the flywheel?

Musicmaker

There was a "grinding" or turning sound like there normally should be when I pushed the button. There may have been a click when the dash lights would come on. Not sure I can help much past that. I was so struck that the first mechanic insisted it wasn't the starter and that's what it turned out to be.