YID

Over the past couple weeks, happening several times a week, when turning on the ignition, I get only a single click sound coming from around the starter. Backing off and then back on with the key, it usually does this again. As more time goes on, it seems to take more attempts, 3 or 4 now, before the starter turns and the engine cranks up.

This phenomenon only seems to happen after the car is allowed to sit - first thing in the morning or, following a several hour sit in a parking lot. After it does start, it will give a strong start time after time, as if nothing is wrong. Sometimes, it starts right up cold without a hitch.

It does have a fairly recent battery which was replaced around the first of the year.

Took the car to an auto parts store, Adance Auto parts - who hooked up diagnostics via the pc connect terminal; according to them, battery is 'good' however remember that I had to drive down to the store obviously after the engine had already been started. Their printout also said the 'Starter Test' showed a drop from 13 down to 9 (11.32 amps) during the crank. According to the rep, this number should stay around '12'.

Questions:
- Are these auto parts tests generally very reliable?

- Does this sound like the selonoid, not causing the starter to receive proper current?

- Does it sound like a battery? Which I will be disconnecting and taking over to the parts store where it was bought, so they can hopefully test it (without charging) for cranking amps.

Right now I can't tell if the battery is not holding a charge (or a possible leak somewhere?) or its being caused by the starter/selenoid. I'm guessing that it isn't anything else like the ignition or the starter-to-battery cable given the somewhat predictable timing of it. On a past Acura, I did come across 'vapor lock' however when the gas was allowed to get way too low in the tank. The above is happening regardless of how much gas.

YID

Apologies for the DP, but wanted to give an update -- starter was replaced exactly 8 days ago. Not a peep. Has started right up every time.

Turned the ignition this morning and it won't even get a click. If I leave the ignition turned on for a while, gives almost a faint, rotating sound from the engine bay, hard to tell from where. It did rain hard last night (moisture?) and haven't strarted in a couple days.

Jumping it, nothing. I'm convinced it's not the battery, that was tested anyway.


What else could this be besides the ignition switch now? Guess it could be a faulty starter they just installed ...OR

1) ignition switch with connected starter switch
2) starter relay

Spec R

looks/sounds to be a main relay failure. best bet is just to replace the relay altogether at this point in your car's age/mileage.

YID

It was the starter, bought at Advance Auto. Died already and had to be replaced.

Spec R

well there you go, glad u got it handled.

ron1

keep an eye on the distributor that will be the next to go

Vicky55

I seen the DIY here about testing / replacing distributer, but there is no set scre on my rotor, is that possible? I believe the distributer is a OEM part, as it has the Honda sticker on it still. Any ideas on how I can get the rotor off so I can test it further?