Starter turns over inconsistently
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 4
Starter turns over inconsistently
I have a 2003 Accord LX 2.4 Liter Vtec with 190K miles. No alarm installed. New battery. Lights and other electrical systems turn on normally. About once every 15-20 times that I start the car, the starter motor turns over slowly and the engine won't start. After two to five attempts with a slow turn over, the starter motor turns over normally and the car starts. Most of the time, the car starts with the starter sounding normal and with no issues.
There are no clicking or buzzing sounds. How can I debug this issue?
Thanks. Jon
There are no clicking or buzzing sounds. How can I debug this issue?
Thanks. Jon
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,334
From: Houston, TX
This could be caused by a few problems. Your starter is not easily accessible, because it is blocked by the intake manifold. It is possible that the large wire coming from the + battery terminal has a flaky connection. The fix would be to disconnect the battery, disconnect the big wire to the starter, clean the cable eyelet and bolt with a wire brush or sandpaper. Also clean off the stud.
What is more likely is that the commutator has some bad spots, where the starter motor will not spin when the starter motor stops at a bad spot. You would need to read the amperage signal on the + battery cable to the starter using a oscilloscope. The oscilloscope can read changes in amperage over millisecond time scale, and you would see a big drop in amperage when the starter motor hits a bad spot. Not many DIYers have this type of tool. If this is your problem, you will have to replace the starter.
Another less likely possibility is the voltage signal generated when you turn your key isn't getting to the starter. Look that your dash says you are in park (or neutral). You can also try shaking the gear selector (if you have an automatic trans).
I had this come up on my TSX, which has essentially the same engine as your accord. I opted to buy a Denso aftermarket re-manufactured starter, and clean all my connects when installing the replacement starter. I haven't had a problem with the starter in 6 years. Rebuilt starters from other suppliers are hit an miss that are sold at the big chain autoparts stores, and removing the starter required removal of the upper intake manifold to access. I didn't want to remove the upper intake multiple times to test, then again to replace the starter.
What is more likely is that the commutator has some bad spots, where the starter motor will not spin when the starter motor stops at a bad spot. You would need to read the amperage signal on the + battery cable to the starter using a oscilloscope. The oscilloscope can read changes in amperage over millisecond time scale, and you would see a big drop in amperage when the starter motor hits a bad spot. Not many DIYers have this type of tool. If this is your problem, you will have to replace the starter.
Another less likely possibility is the voltage signal generated when you turn your key isn't getting to the starter. Look that your dash says you are in park (or neutral). You can also try shaking the gear selector (if you have an automatic trans).
I had this come up on my TSX, which has essentially the same engine as your accord. I opted to buy a Denso aftermarket re-manufactured starter, and clean all my connects when installing the replacement starter. I haven't had a problem with the starter in 6 years. Rebuilt starters from other suppliers are hit an miss that are sold at the big chain autoparts stores, and removing the starter required removal of the upper intake manifold to access. I didn't want to remove the upper intake multiple times to test, then again to replace the starter.
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jyaj2k
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May 2, 2012 09:05 AM
