Dear Experts,

My car: 1996 Honda Accord,
2.2 VTEC engine, 5 speed manual

The past few months, I've had some issues
starting my car.

Part of this is the cold, and so I've replaced
the battery recently.

And in December, the clutch master and slave
cylinders were replaced.

One symptom is that when the car is cold,
I push in the clutch pedal and
turn the ignition key to
start the starter motor/engine.

But, nothing. Just a click.

I will release the clutch pedal, and try again.
A few times.

Eventually, the starter motor will engage
in the normal manner, and the car will start.

After driving, and the car is warm, I will
stop to go shopping. Come back, and the
car will start normally, the first try.

Do you think that the clutch safety switches
might be frozen, or damaged?


The clutch switches for my car are:

36760-SM4-003, Cut-Off Switch, Clutch (Inhibiter)
https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuin...2c396;et=4%2c3)
Item 16


35710-SE3-A01, Neutral Safety Switch,
https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuin...2c396;et=4%2c3)
Part 14 on the Schematic


Thanks a lot

 

Try these links, if the originals don't work.


Honda Part No.: 36760-SM4-003
Switch Assy., Clutch
Part Description Cut-Off Switch
https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuin...0-sm4-003.html



Honda Part No.: 35710-SE3-A01
Switch Assy., Clutch (Inhibiter)
Honda 35710-SE3-A01 Switch Assy., Clutch (Inhibiter)
Part Description Neutral Safety Switch
https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuin...0-se3-a01.html

 

It really sounds like you have a short somewhere, but you could wiggle up under the dash and work the clutch by hand to make sure the switch is operating smoothly and hasn't gotten gummed up somehow. Those switches are pretty hardy though, and don't fail often. Perhaps the nylon grommet that presses against the switch is wearing out or somebody rigged something under there that is working inconsistently.

If your car has cruise control, be sure to not confuse the cutoff switch that disengages it when the clutch pedal is pressed. It looks very similar. The clutch starter disengage switch (at least on my 4th Gen Accord) is further up under the dash inside the clutch pedal assembly.

 

Update:

I had the shop change the switches
Too cold in this weather to do it outside, myself

Now the car starts in the normal manner.
Finally