My 94 Accord LX 5 speed recently has had problems starting. Sometimes it'll fire up on the first time, but most of the time, I have to play with the clutch and the ignition to get it started.

Sometimes it will try to start and I'll get one crank of the engine out of it, before I have to take out the key and try again. Other times, it just won't even try. Probably the starter, possibly the ignition switch?

 

did u check the batt and alt?

 

Just put in a new battery/battery fuse a few days ago and cleaned the connectors, not sure if it's the alternator...how can I tell if it's going bad?

 

volt meter

 

When you turn the key to "crank" can you hear the starter solenoid click?

 

Use of and testing with a Volt meter

Voltmeter:
test between the two Battery terminals.

Engine at idle

no less than 13.8 volts
no more than 14.4 volts
Alternator is working as designed

Voltage less than 13.8 - Alternator not charging
Voltage greater than 14.4 volts - Alternator overcharging
Alternator is NOT working as designed.

engine off;
no less than 12.2 volts
no more than 12.6 volts
Battery - no internal Failures

Voltage at 10v - shorted cell
Voltage 0.0 - Open Cell
Battery Internal Failures

Note: underdriven pulleys can cause a discharging condition at idle as the Alternator doesn't spin fast enough.

P

 

i'd check your safety interlock and igniton switches

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dude9571 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My 94 Accord LX Sometimes it'll fire up on the first time, but most of the time, I have to play with the clutch and the ignition to get it started.

Sometimes it will try to start and I'll get one crank of the engine out of it, before I have to take out the key and try again. Other times, it just won't even try. Probably the starter, possibly the ignition switch?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If, by this, you mean that it cranks at normal speed but quits; or that you sometimes get no reaction from the starter.
Yes, it could be either the Starter over-ride switch on the clutch OR the ignition switch. In light of a subsiquent recall of ignition switches on later year Accords, That's what I'd suspect first. But I want you to test something first.
Disconnect the plug from the starter over-ride switch at the clutch pedal and jump the two terminals together (harness plug). If the condition continues, it's the ignition switch. If it stops, it's the starter over-ride switch. (#12)

http://www.hondaautomotivepart...PEDAL

P

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondadude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When you turn the key to "crank" can you hear the starter solenoid click? </TD></TR></TABLE>
I can hear something buzz when I turn the key from the 2nd to 3rd line in the ignition. It'll sometimes start if I keep the clutch pushed in and continue turning the key from the 2nd to 3rd line. I played with it for a few minutes, and it seems the best way to start it is to push in the clutch before putting in the key, put the key in the ignition, and turn it as quickly as possible to start it..it works about 1 out of every 3 times.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P_Adams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If, by this, you mean that it cranks at normal speed but quits; or that you sometimes get no reaction from the starter.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sometimes it'll give me one crank, and just one, then quit. That's rare, though. Almost every time, it just doesn't try, but sometimes, it will start right up without argument. When it doesn't try, I'll hear an electrical buzzing coming from something(guessing the starter?) as I try to start it, but nothing happens.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spider Man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">volt meter</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'll have to find that thing...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P_Adams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Yes, it could be either the Starter over-ride switch on the clutch OR the ignition switch. In light of a subsiquent recall of ignition switches on later year Accords, That's what I'd suspect first. But I want you to test something first.
Disconnect the plug from the starter over-ride switch at the clutch pedal and jump the two terminals together (harness plug). If the condition continues, it's the ignition switch. If it stops, it's the starter over-ride switch. (#12)
P</TD></TR></TABLE>
I can try that at the earliest Tuesday..don't got time to tear apart my dash tomorrow.