I'm hoping someone can help me. My 96 Accord EX (4 cyl.) has an intermittent starting problem that seems to have become permanent, and I can't figure out how to fix it.

When I turn the key over, everything seems to work, but the starter doesn't turn over. The battery is strong. Everything electrical inside the car turns on; I can hear the fuel pump working, and I get a click at the starter, but nothing else. I thought it might be the clutch switch, but not engaging the clutch makes the "click" at the starter go away. Since the problem was intermittent at first, and gradually became more common, I at first figured I had a starter going bad. This seemed to be confirmed by the fact that tapping the start with the key turned seemed to "dislodge" the starter, causing the car to start. So I replaced the starter.

But here's the weird part. The problem went away for several months, so I thought I had fixed it. But then it began happening again. I noticed that if I allowed the car to sit for a few days, such as over the weekend, the problem would get worse. I decided to live with it, since I could usually keep cranking the key several times, and the car would start. I found that I could kind of "rock" the key back and forth at an apparent "engagement" point, which appeared to help.

Unfortunately, last week I had to let the car sit for six days. Now it won't start at all. I popped the clutch to start, and it ran fine in the driveway for awhile, but it then would not start after I shut if off.

I'm hesitant to put in another starter. I suspect the ignition switch, but I'm sure how to confirm that it's the problem. Anybody have any idea?

 

i believe there was a recal on the ignition swith on that year, but im not sure

 

that is the wierdest thing. I have had the exact same problem on my 96 accord...mine's also a stick. Except for the never starting thing, I have had it exactly like that, go away for awhile and come back. I've had it into the dealer a couple times and they can't figure out what's wrong with it at all. THey think it may be the starter, but they can't say for sure.

 

My Accord isn't a stick, but maybe it's the switch that detects if the cluch is depressed. I hate it when my clutch get's depressed, it's just too needy (sorry, bad early morning humor).

Anyway, on my old Nissan, the switch was actually located on the floor and was depressed when the clutch was all the way down.

Do you have a Haynes/Chilton's manual to check out?

 

1986 CRX

I have heard that if you leave a car sit over the weekend it will have a hard time turning over, because all the oil in the car has
gone down to the bottom and the engine needs a few cranks to get enough oil presser in order for the oil pump to move the oil back up . to solve this problem turn the car on for a few min ones a day or night.

i was also not sure when you seid that your car makes clicking noises you meant the engine was not turning over at all and just making clicking noise, or the engine was turning over and making clicking noises. these are the things i would first look at for problems
starter , starter connections, battery cable, fuel lines and injectors, the clutch sensor, add/remove oil i hope this helped some

 

Yeah there is a recall on the ignition switch.

 

I had hoped that would solve the problem, but 96's are not included in the recall, and according to the dealer, there's very little chance of getting it covered even if it's the same problem. The dealer won't even look at it for less than $75, and that's just to begin diagnostics.

 

Maybe, but this problem has occured immediately after driving the car for over 30 minutes.


i was also not sure when you seid that your car makes clicking noises you meant the engine was not turning over at all and just making clicking noise, or the engine was turning over and making clicking noises. these are the things i would first look at for problems
starter , starter connections, battery cable, fuel lines and injectors, the clutch sensor, add/remove oil i hope this helped some

[/QUOTE] When the key is turned, there is a clicking at the starter, but the starter fails to turn over the engine. When the engine does turn over, the car runs normally.

 

in my experance when the starter just clicks it means that the starter is going bad .. not really bad but the brushes inside are wearing out (they can be changed) so if i were you i would just go buy a starter and try it out if that doesent solve the problem then move on the the ignition pigtail they run like 75 bucks and you can do it yourself it is not that difficult

 

Wow.. Nice problem.. According to the rest of replies, it seems as if the problem could be the Starter or the Ignition Switch.. Here's my take on the problem..

To make a long story short.. I'd have to say that One CLICK from the Starter Solenoid means that there could be an Open in the Starter. Where? I'd have to say the Carbon Brushes. I can't remember but, I believe if the Carbon Brushes are contacting and the Starter isn't Grounded properly, then you'd hear a bunch of CLICKS from the Starter Solenoid.. It's not easy trying to diagnose a Starting problem when I'm learning about Brakes and Tires..

Here's another clue that'll point you in the direction of the Carbon Brushes.. You gave a Starter a good hit a few months ago.. By hitting the Starter you sometimes are able to jiggle the Carbon Brushes loose.. And when that happens, it's a sign that you'll either need a new Starter or you'll have to replace the Carbon Brushes...

Whatever you do, Good Luck..