I have a 6th gen accord with 104xxx miles, tonight my car didnt start. i can turn the key but nothing cranks(no sounds or anything), so i got it towed to the shop. my dad suggests that it is a solenoid in the starter motor. it sounds right. just curious to find out what it is. anyone know? thanks..

 

The starter solenoid is basically a switch that gives power from the battery to the starter when you turn your key to start. It is spring loaded and is shaped like a meat thermometer with a copper ring around the top edge. The ignition switch turns on a magnet that forces the copper ring to snap against two copper contacts to complete the circuit.

Over time the two contacts and the ring get worn down. You can see the indentation of the ring on the two contacts. Once the contacts or ring get worn down enough all you hear is the solenoid snap down, but the ring doesn't make contact (so the starter doesn't turn the motor). That is the single click you usually hear when you try to start the car and nothing happens.

You can test this by having someone hold the key in the start position, and you hit the starter with the end of a screwdriver. The vibration will get the solenoid to make contact and your starter will do it job (this is just a temporary fix). Replacing the solenoid is a pretty simple DIY job.

 

alright thanks, good info.ill see what the shop says about it today.

 

while we wait for their diagnosis, give us more info! [8D]

did the dash lights illuminate when you turned the key? did you try any electical accessories?

 

yes. all power and everything works, engine just doesnt turn...

 

are your connections clean and tight?

 

The actual ignition switch (that lives behind the ingnition key barrel) is a known weak point on at least some Hondas, and can fail. If this is the problem, the solenoid won't get power from the switch when you turn to 'start' and the starter won't do anything.

On the end of the solenoid you shouldsee two wires, one big fat one and one smaller one (this smaller one comes from the ignition switch). Pull the smaller one off and have someone turn the key to start while you hold a test probe light on the end of the wire, it should light up the probe light when the switch is at 'start'. If not then the switch is likely to be the problem.

 

connections are clean and tight, yes. and thanks for the information the ignition. i just recieved a phone call from my dad and it was the starter motor. it is fixed now. thanks for all your help