Electrical problem
1997 Honda Accord
4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 116000 miles

My car has a VTEC engine & it's a manual. We are having a problem with starting the car. When we turn the key, it sometimes doesn't even click. We try it multiple times, then it will click but not turn over. We push the car and move it around, and then it will eventually start after many tries. It also will run rough, especially if the AC is on.

We replaced the starter with a used one. This seemed to fix the problem for about a week. Started great and ran smoothly.

Now it is starting to do the same thing again. Yesterday, I turned the key & it didn't click. Then I tried again and it worked on that try. Today, I turned the key & nothing. Tried again and it tried to start but didn't. Let the car roll a bit then tried again and it finally started. Please help.

 

main relay, under driver side dash

 

Is that expensive to fix? I started to wonder if it might just be a loose wire this evening. That would make sense if fiddling with the starter and other wires made it work right for a while and then it started to not work right a week after the repair.

That does make sense, it being on the driver's side. I have noticed the click, when it won't start, coming from there, which seemed strange since the starter is not located near there.

 

I asked my mechanic about it being the main relay and he said he doesn't think it is because the car doesn't even turn over, it just clicks.

Is that right? Normally, I wouldn't doubt him, but we replaced the starter once on his recommendation and now we're in the same boat. I really have to get this fixed asap.

 

Is it still the main relay even though my car, once started, stays running? I have read that if the car runs ok after starting, then it is not the main relay.

I am a single mom and *really* need to get this figured out. Please help!

 

i highly doubt its the main relay.. that was more common on the older accords. make sure your battery connections are tight, the battery is fully charged and also, try jiggling the key while its in the ignition.. these cars had a huge problem with the ignition breaking and making a weak connection.

As for it running rough with the A/C on, the condenser might be siezed and hard for the engine to spin it, if its even spinning. Where abouts are you located? if a/c isn't "needed" (im in CT and the summer doesn't really call for it.. i mean i can just roll down the windows haha) i wouldn't worry about it.

when was the last time you had a good tune up? and has the battery been dead at all.. if so, it could make it run rough because the ECU reset and has to "relearn" all the sensors.

One last thing.. any check engine light or any dummy lights ( IE, Oil light, battery light, ect)

 

Hi - had the battery tested, it's good.

Tried jiggling the key.

The battery was disconnected for a while, and then the car did run rough. I think you're right about the sensors.

Car has been tuned up.

I have discovered late yesterday and today that if I pump the gas pedal once before trying to start, the car starts on the 1st or 2nd try. Weird.

 

i would suggest running some seafoam through the system.. some down the throttlebody and some in the gas tank.

You will most likely need new spark plugs after this, but it will clean out deposits that were left.

I would atleast spray carb cleaner down the throttle body while the cars running to clean that up and see if that helps.

 

also, i was thinking about this too.. if you can park on a hill with the car facing down it. put the car in either 4th or 5th and roll down the hill with the key in the ON position. let the clutch out to pop start the car and see if it will start that way and run. That will help you see if the starter is still bad or if something else is wrong too.

 

pumping gas pedal isnt going to make a difference unless your doing it while cranking, you said that it doesnt even turn over usually. And it starts every time when rolling. Starter is primary suspect. I would beat on the starter with a hammer next time when it doesnt crank over, and see if if cranks over after you hit it a few good times with a hammer. Thats will be your answer.

 

now correct me if i am wrong but the way this sounds to me, since you've replaced the starter already, is that there must be a loose connection OR that your coil pack has kicked the bucket because of your rough running issue. the same thing happened to my supra

 

A couple good pops from a hammer or big ratchet

OP you said you replaced it with a "used" starter. Who keeps a used starter laying around? Was it a refurbished starter, or was it actually used?