A few weeks ago when the temps started to drop I noticed whenever the car had been sitting overnight or for a few days, it makes a weird noise from the starter motor when I start it, same noise as if the car is already running but you still hold the ignition and try to start the car, then last week, a couple times, it'd start up, make the noise and then smoothly just stall, I start it again and everything is well. Yesterday, I started it, it idled for a second or two, then it started stuttering as if it's about to stall, went on for a few seconds then back to normal. All this goes away once it gets some heat into it, and it's fine for the rest of the day.. Any ideas? I talked to Manchester Honda, and I might take it in if I have to, but they charge $96 for a diagnostic, so any help would be appreciated

 

My S2000's have always done this when the temps start getting really cold. Someone who knows more than I do posted that the ECU needs to re-learn it's curves this time of year due to the colder starting temps and a change in fuel formulations of some sort.

The problems always go away after a few days of cold starts for me. I wouldn't take it in until you give the ECU a chance to do it's thing. If it continues for a long time then I would think about having it looked at.

 

happens to the best of us..

 

Mine does the same thing, when it's sub-zero out it does not like to start.

Based on temp. my experience is something like:

+40F : No Problem!
40-32F: Starts w/bendix grinding sound.
32-20F: Starts w/bendix grinding sound, revs to 2-2.5k Usually starts, might take two tries
20F-0F: Might start after like 2-3 tries, might not.

"Can't come to work" isn't part of my vocabulary so I installed a block heater in the S last year and was fine every time. Bonus that the heat worked fairly quickly too.

You can read up on the multiple bendix noise threads, not sure there's a good fix for it short of rebuilding it. I just live with the noise.

 

You could tyry disconecting the battery for 15-20 min . make sure the car is cold as if you were starting it in the morning and start it up . let it sit and idle to learn the fuel trims . Then take it for a ride driving it normal to let the long term trims settle.

 

don't take it into the dealership. your wasting your money. the starter grinding sound is normal on these cars. as for stalling and running rough thats normal too like everyone has said.

 

A somewhat related question: how can I tell the difference between needing to replace my A/C pump vs. recharging my A/C? My car currently doesn't blow cold air that well and I'm on the fence between which of the issues it can be.

Thanks.

 

you can buy a a/c amnifold gauge and check the high and low pressure.

best way to tell usually is to just recharge it and cross your fingers....

 

thanks guys, one more thing just to give me peace of mind, I tried today, and I held the clutch in and it didn't stall, that normal?

 

less mass to spin when the clutch is pushed in .