My 1997 EX, with 130,000 miles, has been giving me trouble when I try to start it in the mornings. It has been unusually warm here in MA up until about a week ago when temperatures were conistently well below freezing every morning. That was when my car started having trouble. I put the key in, turn to on, let the fuel pump come on, then try to crank, and only get a click. No cranking. At first I assumed it could not be the battery because its only a month old. I would just keep trying to get it to crank, and after about 6 tries it would start to move. It would be slow and difficult at fist, but then would eventually turn over and fire. Once it has been started for the day, it starts up fine after that.
I have left the charger on the battery just to rule it out. Its not the battery.
I have run dry gas through, no help. This morning I poured some warm water on the starter and it fired up right away. Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas on what I can try to clear this up? Thanks.

 

I had the same problem. It happened to me twice in the morning like you said and everytime after that it was fine. I took my battery to get checked and they said it was ok. But I rememeber that week was colder than usual (ice on my windshield). But ever since it's been fine. My guess what that it was the cold weather/old battery.

 

I have the same problem with my 02 right now because we've been in single digit temps for 2 weeks now. Even though the battery is new, the severe cold will still cause the problem you're experiencing.

 

It might simply be the starter. I'm in the northeast to so we just started getting the really cold weather also. I don't think mine is as bad but every morning for the past few days, the starter just sounds sluggish in it's clicking, but always started up. Yours is probably the same idea, just in worse shape. I don't know if there is any other way to resolve that aside from purchasing a new starter, but do some searches on the forum since you have an idea of the problem. Make sure many of your other ignition components are in good shape and clean to make it easy on the starter maybe.

 

Look at your battery and see if it has a 0 degree CCA rating, or a 32 degree CCA rating. If its 32 then the battery isn't designed for extreme cold. If its a "winter" battery it will have a 0 degree Cold Cranking Amp rating.

 

Slater, I just checked and it said 800 CA's at 32 degrees, and 640 "CCA's" which, I assume, is below 32 degrees. So maybe that is it...I'll try hooking it up to a different battery and see what happens. I did a search earlier and only found situations when the car would crank but not fire. Its weird because if I give it a bunch of tries in a row, it will eventually start. It doesn't seem like the starter would be bad since it starts fine after its been started once. Thanks guys.

 

Yeah if I remember correctly, true heavy duty "winter" batteries are like 750-800 CCA at 0 degrees. If the battery is putting out even 1 volt too low, the starter will not crank as fast and therefore may take several attempts to fire.

 

Any idea what what Honda recommends for a minimum CCA rating?

 

Replace the starter contacts if you are sure you have good battery connections.




The cave man test Have some one hit the starter with a small hammer or steel tool while you hold it in 'crank' position.
If it starts cranking after being smacked, the starter contacts are worn out.

 

It must be the starter. I have tried hooking it up to a few different batteries and get the same results regardless. Tapping the starter with a hammer didn't seem to do the trick, but every time I pour room-temperature water on it it starts first try. I'll try to get at it this week end. Thanks.

 

check your cables. also might be a good idea to change your oil. older used oil = hard crank.

also your starter relay could be bad.......

 

if you car is just clicking when you turn your key its the starter.

if your car tries to turn over but is sluggish then its your battery.

 

well i dont think it's your starter cause u can still start after u got the engine warm up right? well check the DISTRIBUTOR it might be that....and if u think it's your batteries then try turn on your light and if it's on then it's not your batteries u know....

 

What was the CCA rating of the batteries you tried? And did you get them charged before you tried them? Very important...