I have a 2008 Honda Accord EX 3.5L V6, with 152k mileage.

Sometimes (not always) when I try to start the car, it doesn’t start — there is no crank, the lights on the dashboard and electrics turn on fully illuminated but no crank at all. In some cases there is a small crank but doesn’t fully start, but typically there is no crank at all.

I have a new alternator (installed this month), somewhat new starter (installed Dec 2022), battery has been tested at Honda (reported good).

The way I deal with it when it does not start is that I turn on the car (dashboard lights, etc) and I shift out from P to another gear like N, then back to P, afterwards I crank the car and it magically starts up. This technique regularly works, very rarely does this Not work (1 or 2 instances not worked) otherwise I would probably just keep cranking again and again.

I would appreciate any advice or insights on this, thank you.

 

No crank either means no 12V signal is getting to the starter to start the motor or the starter solenoid is not making contact.

When you have the no-start, do you hear a loud click from the engine bay?