Hi All,
I have a 2012 EXL with a 2.4L engine. I have been experiencing a strange situation of when trying to start the car in the morning, it will crank slowly the first time or two as if the battery was weak, but then after will crank normally. I can shut it down and restart numerous times after that and it cranks perfectly. The battery connections are tight and clean. If it was the battery, it would not all of a sudden come back to life after the first attempt or 2 to start it. I am suspect of the starter motor, but also don't understand why it would crank normally again time after time after the first or second attempt? Any thoughts on this?

 

Since the starter motor spins regardless of rate, the 12V signal is reaching the starter and rules out that portion of the electronics. That leaves the cable from the + battery post to the starter not able to carry enough current, or the starter solenoid contacts are worn to the point where they are not making 100% contact.

The cable is easiest to test. Hook up a volt meter from battery + post to the large post on the starter and set to voltage. Have an assistant crank the engine in the morning. The voltage idealy would be zero, but <0.5V means the cable can carry current. This is called a voltage drop test.

Most likely it is worn starter solenoid contacts, where the first start removes a thin layer of oxidation after your first attempt and makes enough contact throughout the day. If you find the battery cable to the starter is good, I'd recommend getting a denso remanufactured starter. Just a quick web search is pricing the denso starter at ~$300, so you could also try rebuilding the starter or finding a place that rebuilds starters.

 

Thanks PAhonda,
I am suspect of the solenoid contacts but I'm not sure how they can build up oxidation overnight? Maybe they are making contact on a different spot each time you start? This is an intermittent problem. It does not happen every day. If in fact the solenoid is bad, why buy a new starter instead of just a new solenoid? Drop testing the cable would be a MF. You have to take the battery and box, air intake, throttle body, and intake manifold off the car just to get at the starter. I want to make sure I have a starter issue before doing all of that. Is 12.4v static acceptable or is that considered a weak battery? It is under 2 years old. This is the voltage I see on a meter before starting the car in the morning. At that voltage the car cranks right up strongly. No lagging. Obviously battery voltage gets higher as alternator is charging. I had the battery tested at an autoparts store and it tested good. Your thoughts?
Thanks

 

To be honest without hearing the sound it's hard for me to determine if it's a weak battery or starter issue, they totally sound different , My advice have your battery tested (possible dead cell) ?? Maybe a small electrical drain ? I would not start replacing parts till properly diagnosed and find the issue ,

 

My TSX has a similiar setup and I thought you might be able to reach the starter post with an alligator clip to get to the post. It may be too tight to access easily. When I replaced the starter on my TSX, I was able to access the starter by just removing the upper part of the intake manifold, but the 2012 may have a one-piece intake.

I'll guess the copper contacts in the solenoid are worn where you barely have contact. The style of starter on the 2.4L accords is a bit more work to replace the solenoid, but it isn't terribly difficult. I used a Denso starter, then rebuilt my original with a Honda kit as a spare. I watched some youtube videos on how to disassemble and rebuild and didn't run into any issues.

 

I have had the same slow starting overnight then normal cranking on vehicles with a bad battery.

 

Thanks Chris,
The battery was tested and tested good...

 

Thanks PA Honda,
Yes, the intake manifold is one piece. A lot of work to get at the starter and get it out. I tend to agree with you that the contacts in the solenoid are worn. Probably going to have to dig into it soon...

 

I would also be looking at the starter after verifying the battery is in good condition. I had to repair the one in my 2014 Accord. On mine it was a $20 part that makes the contact from the battery cable. On my Accord the negative cables were corroded. I noticed them when it was overcharging.

 

have you tried cleaning the battery terminals? sometimes that can help with weird starting issues.