Starter Motor or Ground Wire?
 

I'm easy to confuse.

So you turn the key to start and nothing happens - the starter does not spin the engine over?

Or - you turn the key to start and the starter spins the engine over but it does not start up and run?

Thanks for reply Poorman212. The answer is 'Or'.

On average, the car cranks for 2 - 3 seconds at normal cranking speed before the engine starts. On the stall day, I turned the key and it started to crank over for the usual 2-3 seconds, then silence.

I’ve read through similar posts, but they seem to go off in a different direction or if they sound like the same problem, no solution comes back. And as per suggests in similar posts, I’ve checked the battery connections, fuses, and the fuel pump engages. I don’t get any CEL. Do I understand correctly that I’ll have to go to Autozone (or similar) to have OBD-2 error codes read for a 2003?

This Honda is automatic transmission, has remote entry and alarm system, and it was about 91 degrees that afternoon.

From what i have read i believe you have a bad connection?
From the battery to the starter,check those wires very good cause your getting juice to the starter but just not enough!

So you are holding the key in the start position and the starter stops spinning after a few seconds?
Can you then turn the key of, then go to start again and the starter spins?

Yes, then I turned the ignition off, waited a few seconds (and yelled "no, not now!) and then started it up again with no problem.

Thanks, I'm going to have another set of eyes and hands look at the connection, too.

Always a good idea to check ALL ground connections(not just the immediate ones)

Hey did you ever found the issue with your car. I have a similar issue. Sometimes car crank right away and sometimes there is a big delay before car start craking.

I just started having a similar issue. The starter motor works just fine. Cranks every time I turn the key at a normal speed. Sometimes the engine fires right away, some times it takes a few seconds, some times it takes several seconds. I'm thinking fuel pump?

Make a habit of turning the key to ON but not immediately to START. Listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds then stop. Probably need to turn off blowers & music, etc. It seems normal for pump to either run OK or not run at all.

Sounds like GiraldyR and Cheese have different problems.
GiraldyR might be battery cables, connections, or maybe contacts in the starter solenoid. Those would prevent (or delay) the starter from spinning the engine. Try the caveman test - hit the starter with a broomstick or something while trying.

Cheese says his engine cranks strong, but sometimes doesn't fire right away. How about fouled sparkplugs? Does it run real good after it starts?

There is occasional hesitation under acceleration. I'm thinking fuel filter or plugs. I'm hoping it isn't fuel pump.

I ended up with a new starter
 

I got too paranoid to go on and got the new starter. For the most part the issue appears resolved except that I have had to make a habit of turning the key to auxiliary and waiting for the fuel pump to engage before fully starting the car. If I don't I sometimes get a 'clunk' and then nothing. Then I try again and it starts up. :confused:

(funny I just now saw the post from Jim Blake - exactly like he said)

Update
 

Finally I was able to get some work done on the car this past weekend. Got some 40 F temp.. First thing I took my battery to autozone. It checked bad so got it swap thanks God still had warranty.(They no longer make good battery this days or what. I own this car for 9 year and 156k miles in NYC. I this will be my six battery. 4 oem and 2 duralast gold they only seems to last 1.5 year.) Back to story. So got new battery next morning same issue long delay.. So decided to order a recycle starter from ebay since this starter cost too much new 250 plus and car no longer is at age to be investing heavily..So swapped out this weekend Ban. Problem solve. car crank instantly all the time. I also open the old starter and checked the brushes, 3 out of 4 brushes were almost gone..So thank God I replace just in time. Probably will rebuild my old start get some new brushes and have it as spare.. Thanks

Just in case someone want to rebuild their honda 03-07 started here is the link for brusher on ebay Starter Brush Repair Kit Honda Accord 2 4L w at 03 05 | eBay

Is it a slow starter like the battery may not be fully charged? If so I had a similar issues. I chronicled it on my blog.

2003 Honda Accord Shade Tree