A few weeks ago after a cold night, my 2006 Honda CR-V LX AWD with an automatic transmission wouldn't crank. No dash lights, no starter noise, no nothing. A few hours later, the CR-V started like normal, without a problem.

Then, this morning, after another cold night (low in the mid-20's), I went to use my spare key to start the CR-V. This time I had a few dash lights, and the ceiling lights were very dim, but the engine didn't turn over/crank, no clicking, etc. I hadn't used the spare key in awhile, so I tried the key I use regularly, same thing. Also, I tried both keys to see if they would lock/unlock the doors, but they didn't work. An hour later, the CR-V started without a problem.

Then, at lunchtime today, I was back to no lights, no crank, no clicking, nothing. I withdrew the key and waited a few seconds, then tried again. Same thing. I manually unlocked and locked the passenger door and twisted the steering wheel, and tried again: nothing. I withdrew the key and waited 10 seconds and tried again. Nothing. I continued to mess with the steering wheel and presssed on the brake while turning the key. The CR-V finally started after maybe 10 tries.

This evening I had the battery load tested and the battery was fine. The battery terminals and the cable looked fine. Any ideas what could be causing the intermittent no crank condition?

 

Couple of things I'd try first. First make sure you have your radio code. Next, remove and clean the battery posts and connections. Put it all back together. You may also want to check your grounds. An easy way is to use a battery jumper cable to connect the engine to the frame or negative on the battery, directly. I had to clean up the terminals on a 2005 that would crank strong and had intermittent starting prblems. The battery checked out and the terminals looked fine until I removed the connectors and found crud. Cleaned it up and it's been starting up with no problem.

 

They had to remove the battery when they load tested it. While they had the battery out, they cleaned the battery terminals and inspected the cables. The CR-V started fine this morning, and I drove for about 15 minutes, then had it off for about 5 minutes. When I went to restart it, the engine cranked, but it didn't start. The heater, dash lights and radio came on, though. I turned off the radio and heater, and tried starting it again, and it started right up the second time.

 

Next time pull out a jumper cable and hook it up to the engine (metal) and the frame or negative terminal. Then give it a try. BTW - Did they check out your starter ?

 

This isn't throwing any codes?

 

No codes. I had the engine valves adjusted at the end of February, and was told there were no codes at that time. No check engine light or anything similar since then. The check engine light and some other lights did come on when it cranked but didn't start this morning following a short drive, but went out when I successfully tried to start it again.

 

I will try that if it happens again. No, they did not check my starter. They told me I should have my alternator checked.

 

Did you get an answer on this yet?