Coworker has a 2017 Accord that has an intermittent "turn but starter doesn't engage" issue. 38830-T2A-A01 is the part number

Nosing around I came to this video which exactly mirrors her issues, so i believe this is the problem.


The problem is, when I try to pull up on that module there is ZERO slack on the wires going to it. I don't want to pull wires out of connectors and really create a big problem, so I stopped and decided to further research it.

What is the proper (factory service manual way) to get that module replaced? Do I unbolt the whole fuse box and separate the wiring harness from the engine bay (I assume it's the same little clips Honda uses on everything) to get some slack or ???

 

See this link:

https://www.driveaccord.net/attachme...st-pdf.566774/

 

Not the factory service manual way but an option to consider...

There is not a lot of slack on those connector cables...and there are comments that folks have damaged wires when trying to remove the relay module from the topside. A good approach would be to remove the bottom cover of the fuse box and disconnect from below. Disconnect battery (should go without saying). There are 6 clips on the fuse box that hold the bottom cover on. Release those clips and the bottom cover will give you some access to the bottom of 38830-T2A-A01. Optionally you can also remove a small sliding panel on the fuse box towards the front of the car. I used a plastic trim panel tool from harbor freight to push on the connector lips while depressing the connector clip on the backside (won't see the clip, gotta go by feeling). The connectors are rather snugly seated so you may need move the trim tool (not screwdriver!) to different locations of the connector lip to start some wiggle and eventually the connector will move. I went from rear of car white connector(white1 [Connector A]), to the middle green connector [Connector B], to the front of car white connector (white2 [Connector C]) as removing the connectors in that way provides additional access as you go. Once connectors are removed, you can go to the top side and release the 2 retaining clips that holds 38830-T2A-A01 relay module in the fuse box. Done. See images below on a spare from scrap yard for clarity. I did the relay module replacement on a vehicle using this method (without touching any fuse box mounting bolts) and it is doable with minimal trouble.


Closeup of fusebox bottom cover clips on right side (2 on this side)


3 clips on left side. 1 more clip on rear not shown. 6 clips total hold bottom cover to fuse box body.


Fusebox bottom cover will drop down. note bottom cover curves around main wire bundle. Hard to see when fuse box is in vehicle.


3 connectors (from top of photo to bottom - white1[Connector A], green[Connector B] , white2[Connector C]) connect to bottom of 38830-T2A-A01


Depress retaining clip on white1 connector while guiding trim tool to stay on connector lip


Detail of white1 connector retaining clip location.


Same with green connector. Depress retainer clip in center of connector while guiding trim tool along the connector lip to gently release the connector.


Detail of green connector retaining clip location


Repeat process with white2 connector


Detail of white2 retaining clip location


From top release the 2 retaining clips of the relay module.


Remove 38830-T2A-A01 without any strain on wires.