I've been having trouble starting my 2012 Honda Accord Sedan from time to time. A local mechanic ran some tests on the starter, and determined that my Honda starter is drawing 180 amps of power from the battery when cranking the engine. I was told that this reading was high, with 150 amps being considered normal, and that this is an indicator of a faulty starter. I only have 25,000 miles on the car.


Since the car is still under manufacturer's warranty, I had it checked out at a Honda dealer. Honda tells me that the starter passed their inspections, and they were unable to pinpoint a problem. Honda did not comment on my recent 180 amp starter reading though, and an amp reading wasn't noted on Honda's printout of tests performed.


I guess my question is - does anyone know if a Honda Accord starter drawing 180 amps from the battery is a sign of a bad starter, or cause for concern? Or is it normal? It's a v4 engine not v6. Thank you!

 

FYI, the Honda four cylinder engine is an I4 and the 6 cylinder is a V6.

Give us some more information on the starting problem. When I turn the key to start the car, the starter will spin the engine. When the engine fires up (running on its own), I release the key.

When you car does not start, does the starter turn on to spin the engine? Or will the engine not fire up?

 

When I turn the key to start the car, nothing happens... the engine won't fire up. No noise at all... no sound from the engine trying to turn over, and also no "fast clicking" noise sometimes associated with a dead battery.


Usually on the 2nd or 3rd try the car starts right up normally.


Thanks.

 

Try starting in neutral instead of park. If this works could be p/n switch intermit.

 

If it's still under new car warranty, I'd only have the Honda dealership service it;
especially since you're having issues.

Seems a detail, but I wouldn't complain about the starter drawing XXX amps; rather
that my new car's engine doesn't always turn over, therefore it doesn't always start.

best.

 

Of course Honda is aware that the main problem is the car not starting. I only brought up the 180 starter amp draw reading to Honda after they found everything to be ok with the car. The 180 reading was worth mentioning since another mechanic pinpointed it to be the culprit.


Does anyone happen to know if a Honda Accord starter drawing 180 amps from the battery when cranking the engine is a sign of a bad starter, or cause for concern? Or is it normal? I'm hoping for a second opinion on that, thanks.

 

I would say normal . Do you still have a no crank at times?

 

Yes I still have a no crank at times. I tried starting the car in neutral as suggested, and the car started. It's hard to tell if this approach was the solution though, as the car usually also starts in Park on the second or third attempt after a no crank.

Thanks cj1

 

Be sure to turn the key quickly as the starter relay cutoff can engage if the key is turned at a slower speed, thus not allowing the car to start. I have seen this many times on that generation, but that is not to say that is necessarily the issue. Good luck.

 

To track down the intermit no crank, run a wire from the solenoid start circuit to a test light near the driver. During a no crank use light to determine if problem in solenoid/starter or in start relay/ignition circuit.