On my ’98 Acura 2.3 CL

Over the weekend (when it was cold in the AM) my car kinda screwed up while starting.

1st attempt sounded like it cranked for half a second then stopped. Turned ignition off, turned it again and it started with no problem. Let the engine run for 30 secs then tried again. Started with no problem.

Did this a few times, but only when cold.

My two thoughts are the battery could be getting tired and showing it when cold (it’s 4 years old and a cheap Costco brand). Or something funky is going on with the starter like a flat spot in the motor (that is original at 212K miles). Since the problem is not happening all the time I wonder how I should trouble shoot. If I get the batter tested it might not show anything if it’s just happening when cold…

Any ideas?

 

if you hear the engine turning but not firing its not the starter see if your pullys are moving whenever its not firing up. sounds more like a fuel/ignition problem.

 

also clean the battery posts really good make sure it has a solid ground connection on the terminal.

 

No it turned for a half sec then stopped…

Yup, I keep the battery terminals cleaned and greased. I don’t think that is the issue…

But thanks!

At this point I am going to wait for the weather to be consistently colder. Then the issue should be more consistent (if there is an issue)…

 

i would replace the battery because it sounds like that is at least part of the problem

 

Ya figured for the 25 - 30 bucks I'll have to pay for half the cost of the battery it's worth it. If there is another problem is will show one day...

 

try this

http://www.hondaaccordforum.co...m.htm

 

Cool,, I will try that if it happens again, but I did not get clicking. It cranked for a sec then stopped with no noise at all (never experienced something like that before)...

 

chk the battery , make sure it is fully charged, clean and the cable are tight and no corrosion,, if battery is ok,, chk the starter like it says on the link,,

 

Ok Guys it did it again this morning. I don’t think it’s the battery. My lights never dimmed, this is what happened:

1st crank:
Engine cranked for 1/2sec then stopped, not clicking, nothing…

Turn ignition off, back on to start, no noise at all, no cranking.

Turn ignition off again, turn to start, started right up!

Stopped a few places on the way to work and it started fine.

OK so should I assume it’s an intermittent problem with my starter? I know Vato-Zone can test starters, but would they be able to tell me anything if the problem is not consistent. Would my whole starter assembly have to be replaced or just the motor? What about rebuilding the motor? I know there is a break down in the manual. I’m not afraid to learn something new.

Thanks!

 

rebuilding engine isnt going to solve problem when you say cranked for a sec do you mean engine ran for a sec or motor turned for half a sec. if ran -->ign/fuel prob, if turned-->starter prob. soudns like starter prob still man.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by accord99power &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">rebuilding engine isnt going to solve problem when you say cranked for a sec do you mean engine ran for a sec or motor turned for half a sec. if ran --&gt;ign/fuel prob, if turned--&gt;starter prob. soudns like starter prob still man.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i think he meant rebuild the motor in the starter..

and correct me if im wrong hondamaster, but aren't the contacts in the starters what tend to go bad?

 

You don't hear the door locks acting like they are trying to lock do you? My 97 is doing this at times. If the drivers door is shut, sometimes it will not turn over but you will hear all the door locks trying to lock. I open the door and turns over and starts perfectly. I believe mine needs an actuator but I read somewhere that the 98 and up have a modulator of some kind maybe? Don't know if this is your problem but it may save you some trouble.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bluroc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You don't hear the door locks acting like they are trying to lock do you? My 97 is doing this at times. If the drivers door is shut, sometimes it will not turn over but you will hear all the door locks trying to lock. I open the door and turns over and starts perfectly. I believe mine needs an actuator but I read somewhere that the 98 and up have a modulator of some kind maybe? Don't know if this is your problem but it may save you some trouble. </TD></TR></TABLE>

huh? do you have an alarm or something?

 

see this:

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums...17520

I have it narrowed down to the starter. Now I just need to decide if I should replace the whole starter or replace the solenoid contacts..