EK45VTi

Hi!

I have a problem which I think is starter related...

Today, when I wanted to start the engine, I turned the key, fuel pump bilt the pressure so I turned the key to start the engine and NOTHING - just the pump whinning...

So I tried again, the same procedure... again nothing... NO TIK-ing sound (like when battery is dead and starter can not start) just the sound of the pump (like when it is building pressure)... starter just won't crank the engine...

Then after a few try-fail's it started... it cranked the engine like always...

Then I was driving for a while and stopped, turned off the engine and tried again... it started with NO PROBLEMS... Then I turned it off and left and came back after 30 minutes or so... turned on the key and VOILA... it started like nothing happened...

What could it be...???

I think it could be the starter brushes... what do you think???

But it also smells like some relay is slowly dying since when problem occured the sterter DIDN'T even click - like there was no information between ingnition switch and the starter that the engine should be started...

Like I said, battery is OK, no CEL went on, when I want to start the car the pump is working so I think it is a faulty starter...

I think I supplied you with enough inormation to diagnose the malfunction...

So i anyone had the similar problem or knows what is wrong, the answer would be more than appreciated...

EK45VTi

Anyone???

WalkingKenshin

did you bring your car to the dealer, thier was a ignitor recall on honda. Go and get it swapped for free.

EE_Chris

Ignitor and starter are not related to one another. A busted igniter, while it'll prevent the car from starting, will not prevent it from turning over.

Honda DID have an ignition switch recall, but I think you would get a notice in the mail, just like I did for my 99 hatch.

If you didn't get a notice, it can't hurt to call the dealership up with your VIN and see where you stand with the recall.

There are only a few things in the electrical chain: battery voltage-->Ignition switch-->Starter Cut relay (which is activated by the Clutch Interlock Switch)-->Hold-in coil of starter.

Of course you have the associated ground as well, but if your not even hearing the 'click', your probably looking at a faulty ignition switch (which I'm pretty sure kenshin meant by 'igniter').

2lua

check your grounds, check your starter soleniod. or take the starter off and get it test at an auto parts store.

EK45VTi

I called my local dealer and they said that there is no ignition recall on Honda civic coupe 1996...

So I will have to pay for the repair...

Tomorrow I am going to some car electrician in the hood and he will take the starter off and clean it and exchange brushes and test the solenoid so then I will see where I stand after that... I surely hope that will solve the problem...

Somebody mentioned ignition switch!!! where is it (if it is not where the car key goes)??? can it be repaired???

Relays are all OK since I hear clicks after pump stops building pressure... Battery is OK cos after all the car starts after few tries...

And it ONLY happens when the car is cold... if I manage to start the engine, from there, every single try is succesfull... if I try to start the engine 100 times it will actualy start 100 times... But if I leave the car for 3-4 hours and try then, it will fail to start 2-3 times and then will start normaly...

So when I want to start in the morning, it fails but after it starts I am pretty safe it will start normally but I can't leave it turned off for too long cos it will fail again...

Does that help in any way cos those guys at Honda want to charge me 100 bucks just to test it...

I want to know as much as possible so my car electrician can have as much information possible and maybe repair it so I don't have to pay those ******** at Honda... they really are ******** cos they wouldn't tell me nothing over the phone - not even the possible problems - they just said "100 bucks for the diagnosis"... is that rotten or what???

WalkingKenshin

did you ever replace the battery, might not have enough cca's, also check your grounds. My guess is the ignitor/igtnition control module/ignitor switch. It's been called a lot of things.

Filliam H. Muffman

screw that, just hit it with a hammer

WalkingKenshin

a jdm hammer thow

pornstarSR

starter contacts are worn out...

like said above if you tap it with a handle of a screwdriver while someone is trying to start it.... it will start...it dislodges the contacts and makes it start....

you can get away with does this for probably a couple months...but it will get annoying

just replace the starter

CoolKat

It's your starter.

EK45VTi

Thank you all for replying...

I went to my local car-electrician and he disassembled the starter, cleaned it, greased it and cleaned the brushes cos they are not worn out (he said they will last at least 4-5 years so i guess you can say te brushes are new)...

The thing is that even before the starter was cleaned, the car failed on me just once that day and then started on second try... and after then I had no problem... 2 days, (two mornings) and at least 6 cold starts and everything is OK... like nothing happened...

My little Japanese beauty... it repairs itself

I just hope it will stay that way - meaning "PROBLEM-FREE"...

WalkingKenshin

lol.. how much did you pay for "cleaning a starter" job..

/me hits a hammer over his head.

EK45VTi

Nothing...

When we talked we figured out that he knows my father and knows him very well... so he wouldn't take any money from me... but if I had to pay it would be around 20 dollars...

When I said cleaning, I meant blowing off the dust and sand-papering the brushes... there was no need for that but since the starter was already disassembled he said that it can't hurt to do that...

he checked the solenoid, grounding, wiring and everything is 100% OK...

he said that if it happens again, there is a good chance that main starter relay is close to it's end...

The last possibility is the ignition switch...


Modified by KKVTi at 9:18 PM 3/21/2004