Hey guys, first, I hope this is in the right section. I was going to post in the Accord forums, but I doubt this problem is Accord-specific. Anyways, here's the basics:

Vehicle:
- 1996 Honda Accord LX, 4-Door
- Automatic
- No modifications

<u>Problem: Starter won't crank</u>

But, I can start the car if I:
1) Disconnect a skinny wire that connects to the solenoid or terminal of the starter (I'm guessing).
2) Turn the ignition to the last position.
3) Then reconnect the wire to the contact point. (It just makes contact, I don't plug them back together).
Note: car drives fine.

I didn't get much info my search. I've read things that mention safety switches, but that's only for manuals, right? If anyone has any suggestions as to how I can fix this, please share. Thank you in advance.

 

bump for some help

 

When the starter doesn't turn, do you hear a click? Does this happen in hot weather or extended drives?

 

The solenoid pin could be loose, or the wire that plugs into it. (the one that you are disconnecting) Check to see if the pin is a tight fit, it has a good amount of current going through it, so much as a bit of corrosion or loose fit will fail any attempt to start the car.

This was a problem I had a while back, because the wires on my terminal were not completely tight, and would kill ALL power to the car when I tried to crank it, I'd have to wiggle wires until it started up again, and then I noticed the arc it made on the terminal itself because of the loose connection.

 

NuRon: No, there's no click. It happens regardless of external conditions.
At first I thought it was the main fuel relay (something I've dealt with on my Civic and Prelude), but it doesn't crank when it's cooler and I can't explain why I'm able to start the car with the method I posted above.

slowcivic2k: The fit is pretty snug, but I will check the current as soon as I can.

 

Might want to check that wire for frays, i dont know if this TSB follows for the accords, but there was one for most 96-00 civics for a recall on the ignition cylinder, because of a poor connection, which would power down the car at random, and sometimes not start back up. You might want to check that, and your gear position switch as well, since that wire run through that stuff before it gets to the solenoid.