Alryte honda techs, here's the problem:
I have a prelude but this problem should be universal among hondas. I have a 4th gen (manual) and lately, my car won't start. It'll make a click noise (not the fast clicking like the battery is dead) but it will click once everytime I turn the key. The battery is fine and all the lights and stereo work. But the car won't start every morning. The thing is, if I keep trying to start it, it'll start after about 10 minutes doing so. Then I'll drive to work.. and after a few hours it'll start with no problem.. But when I let it sit overnight, it won't start in the morning. What do you honda tech's think is the problem?

 

i think its your starter about to give out on you.. either that its your ignition switch..

 

I agree. when the car doesnt start, check the small ignition signal wire on the starter. If it has 12v when the key is turned to the crank position, then the starter is no good.

 

i would guess the start/fuelpump relay, it is mounted up under the dashboard on the driver side of the car. gray box with one wire harness into it.
open it up and solder the conntact points
http://autorepair.about.com/cs...a.htm

 

it is either failing starter, loose/failing engine ground strap, or failing ignition swich. I would look into the first two before the third

 

I'd troubleshoot this problem in this order

engine grounds - easy and free if grounds are good
Main relay - easy to fix if you can solder
ignition switch - requires volt meter - attach positive meter lead to starter signal at starter, if it has 12V when you try to start the car it's not that.
Starter/Starter Solenoid - replace

 

Okay first off, if you hear a clicking noise, then the ignition switch is not faulty nor the main relay or any of that crap. The clicking is the solenoid on the starter that is functioning PROPERLY, meaning that it is getting voltage and working.

The problem here is that the solenoid is working, but the brushes inside the starter might be worn out and no current is flowing to the starter motor. It seams as though in cold weather the metal contracts and everything gets all loose and won't make contact until after you been using the soleniod so much and everything warms up and starts making contact.

So, your starter needs replacing (just get a re-manufactured one), or your battery is dying and can't provide enough current when it is cold outside.


I would get your battery tested first. It's free.

If the battery is good, then I would replace the starter.

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a bad ground will not allow proper current to start the car^^

 

If its just a single click then check for 12 volts at the power wire on the starter. If you have 12 volts then see if you have 12 volts at the switch terminal on the starter if you do, then replace the starter.

 

Start with the simple things. Did you check the battery? Try charging it, if it doesn`t take a charge you may have a cell in the battery starting to go bad which would explain the cold startup problem.

 

also check the battery terminals to make sure they arent corroded or loose

 

thanks... well i tried to tap the starter solenoid with a wrench a few times and the car started right away. so i figure i'd go ahead and replace the starter. i hope its the only faulty part

 

Don't worry. It will only be the starter. See it's the brushes inside are worn out and don't make contact until it warms up a little or you tap the crap out of it.

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tap on the starter itself not the solenoid, as f20c mentioned it probably has a dead spot on the commutator where the brushes dont make contact.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by F20Cteg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Okay first off, if you hear a clicking noise, then the ignition switch is not faulty nor the main relay or any of that crap. The clicking is the solenoid on the starter that is functioning PROPERLY, meaning that it is getting voltage and working.

The problem here is that the solenoid is working, but the brushes inside the starter might be worn out and no current is flowing to the starter motor. It seams as though in cold weather the metal contracts and everything gets all loose and won't make contact until after you been using the soleniod so much and everything warms up and starts making contact.

So, your starter needs replacing (just get a re-manufactured one), or your battery is dying and can't provide enough current when it is cold outside.


I would get your battery tested first. It's free.

If the battery is good, then I would replace the starter.

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Knows what the f*ck he's talking about!!

for HT member who don't talk out their asses.

 

also check the dealer for the recall they had on the ign switchs

 

thanks guys...i replaced the starter and i don't think the car has ever started so quick.. thanks again

 

Anytime.

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