I recently bought a 96 accord ex with a bad automatic transmission(had no D4). I replaced the transmission with a low mileage JDM unit(exact year not known)with "SUPPOSEDLY" 41,000 miles on it and it seems to be working okay.my main issue is my starter! sometimes it works fine,sometimes it makes a horrible high pitched noise and kicks back(like old CHEVROLET'S do when the starter needs to be shimmed really bad)and sometimes it doesn't even crank(sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't) I've replaced the starter,battery,ignition switch,battery cable and cleaned up ALL my terminal's and grounds.It seems to have a lot more power to the starter when spinning it/turning the key,but I still have the same issue.After doing some research(looking up part numbers),I've found that the 94-95 accord automatics show one part number for the starter and the 96-97 accord shows another part number.My guess is different flywheels? Since I don't know which year car my used JDM automatic transmission(yes I used the torque converter and flywheel that came with this transmission)came out of,could this be my issue? If so,what can I or should I do to resolve this problem?

 

Sounds like your (jdm) transmissions torque converter is not the same tooth count/pattern for your starter.




Did you swap ypur torque converter from your old tranny to your new tranny?

 

No sir,negative,I did not.Although since I replaced my ignition switch about a week or so ago it cranks and eventually starts every time now,it just makes the worst high pitched noise every time like something in there is not fitting/clicking together right.I originally thought my starter war just old and going so I replaced it about 3 weeks ago,but except for it seemed to spin faster(when it would spin)it made no difference.I think you and I are on the same track! Hopefully I'll get some good feedback and answers.The only 2 things I can think of are either try a earlier model year starter(I did find some specs and there is a diameter,length and weight difference between 94-95 and 96-97) or change the flywheel with one out of another 96 accord ex.Changing the starter sounds like the easier better option to me,but will it work and solve my issue???

 

bump! lots of looks,but no opinions or answers.

 

Well I put in a used starter out of a 94 Accord LX I had laying around and it seems to be fine now(no more horrible noise)and my flywheel looked fine(no broken or missing teeth) Although that car(94)also had a salvage yard transmission in it,so I'm not sure what year the transmission was? Both starters looked identical side by side,so I'm assuming that I have another 96-97 starter installed.I guess I'll just exchange the new starter for another and save it until this one craps out since they won't refund my $$$ because it was installed.It seems fine,looks clean/new still,but we all know that doesn't mean squat! I guess when I return it,if the parts store isn't too busy,I can have them pull both type's of starter(90-95 and 96-97)and see if I can even tell a difference.Like I said the 96-97 is a tiny bit(millimeters)longer and wider and about 2/3 of a pound heavier.Maybe even the slight difference affects how far the armature pops out and contacts the flywheel??? Oh well,I guess 3rd starter/time is a charm.....

 

My first guess is that the reason it changed was for obd reasons. Obd2 started in '96 and this just happens to coincide with the starter difference ? Just a guess tho.

 

Now I'm getting an intermittent no crank issue.Now I'm sure I've got a wiring issue somewhere.Back to the drawing board!!! Also there is a difference in shape of the nose cone of the 94-95 and 96-97 starters,otherwise they're identical.