So I've been lurking and trying to find posts that relate to my problem, but either none of them are for the exact same problem as mine or they haven't been solved yet. Anyway, I have a 2003 Honda Accord 4 cylinder automatic. Most of the time it starts right up, no problems at all, but sometimes it won't start. The last time it did this, it wouldn't even take a jump nor crank. The only way to get it started was to have it in neutral, push it backwards and when it got moving pretty good, throw it into park. Then, do the same thing only going forwards. After this, it started up fine.

I was told it might be a corroded wire on the starter? The battery is fine, and I had the charging system checked at an auto parts store like auto zone, and it is fine too. The car is completely stock except for an aftermarket stereo that has been in the car well before these problems started happening, so I'm positive that's not the problem. I'm trying to include everything I can think of to help track down the problem, but if I think of more, I'll update as soon as possible.

Assume I have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever (but please don't assume I'm an idiot) and please help me figure this out. I'm afraid it will be hard to diagnose since it doesn't do this all the time, but I don't know, hopefully I'm wrong about that. Anyway, any ideas as to where to even start or what it could be would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Starters die pretty often. Next time it doesn't start, knock on the starter with a wrench (next to the battery) and see if it fires up. It is possible the neutral safety switch or ignition switch are bad.

 

Thanks for the response. I was actually coming on here to say that when it wouldn't start just today, I tapped on the starter and it fired right up. I'm hoping that's the problem and it wasn't just a coincidence. We'll see I guess. I'm going to do that every time it won't start on me to see if that really is the issue. If it is, I assume that means I would need a new starter? I'm not skilled enough to track down a faulty connection or wire, especially since I'd have to remove the whole dang intake manifold just to get to it.

 

The earthing on the 7th Accords are a joke. A big 3 set up goes a long way. I actually bought a starter and rebuilt it thinking mine was going bad, but I failed to install it when I couldn't take off the top mounting bolt (I recommend an extension with a swivel head and a thin wall socket - I think it's a 17mm), so I settled to ground it instead, and it solved my intermittent starting issues. If you want a k24 starter I'll sell you mine.

 

So how did you ground it, what exactly does that entail? I assume you had to remove the intake manifold when you tried to install the new starter? And thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind if I determine that it is indeed the starter.

 

Ok, so it did it again, and I got the same results. It wouldn't start, I taped on the starter, then it started easily, no problems. I guess I'll keep you all updated on how it goes once I replace the starter. Now I just need to figure out exactly how to do it.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=repl...uytMP09-YmAI31

doesn't see too hard but more PIA than a v6..enjoy

 

Lol I'm just did a youtube search and am literally watching that video now! Thanks!

 

It happened to my accord 2007. I ended up buying a new starter from autozone, watched youtube video and replaced it. now it starts instantly

 

Glad to hear it. I bought the parts and now am just waiting on a nicer day to do it. Did you remove the intake manifold completely or did you just let it hang to the side?

 

Yes, I removed it completely. Oh yeah, I bought the manifold gasket too.

 

Ok, so yesterday it died on me again, and this time nothing got it started for an hour or so. I tried everything. After about an hr of trying, waiting, and trying, I finally got it started, again by tapping the starter, and I got a jump. So, I put the new starter in today and it was actually one of the easiest, problem-free installs I've ever done. I just pulled the manifold off to the side like the video shows, and I had plenty of room to work. I started the car right after and it sounded much, much better. Cranked super fast, I could really tell a difference. I'll try to report back in a few weeks or so, hopefully the problem has been fixed.

 

Ok so 2 weeks later and no troubles whatsoever. The thing cranks so fast and starts up perfectly every time. I've come to love the sound of this starter!

 

Thanks for following up with the group.

 

No Problem! I really hope this helps anybody that has the same issue. I needed a thread like this when my car kept dying on me and I couldn't figure out why. I'm just glad it was a simple fix and not something electrical!