I just had a Honda dealer replace my starter as it wasn't working after the car had been sitting overnight.

The problem is, they didn't have a genuine Honda part so they asked if they could install a regular starter. I told them yes since I cannot wait a week to have a working car.

I just picked up my Accord and now when I start the car it has makes a very raspy sound at the tail end of the ignition before returnging the key from start to the run position.

Is this a bum starter or do cheap ones just sound like s**t? Should I get them to replace it with a genuine Honda starter even if it costs a little more?

 

Starters come with instructions. One of the topics in the insructions is that it will sound differently from the sound you got used to. That is probably the case. When I installed new starter on my car it did sound a bit differntly.
The function of starter is to start the car. If it does do the job, why bother.
I would not take it back and spend extra money.

Sam

 

As long as the car isn't squealing when you try starting it. See https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...61#post2739061. If you are not happy with the sound I would take it back and have them check it out. Also, I would ask if the new starter was a rebuilt or remanufactured. There is a big difference as I found out. A remanufactured starter has all new parts, just the casing is reused. A rebuilt unit, only has the failed parts replaced.