Jumbalius

Ok so I have MY 02 with 37k miles, my starter was starting to squeel a little bit every now and then so replaced it. Of course i didn't see the Green Knock sensor and it was broken (not sure by me or my transmission replacement before) but anyways replaced with OEM knock sensor, and got a Duralast starter with lifetime warranty from Autozone bc it was like half the price. Got everything back together and started fine.

Went to start it today to get oil changed at Marysville Honda and it wouldn't start. It was cranking, lights were fine, battery was fine. Tried to jump it and finally got it started. Got to Honda (about 40 min drive) and barely started there. They checked battery and it's perfect, just few months old as well. Checked my charging system diagnosis and all of it is perfect. Said starter is testing fine, but I have a feeling it might be the starter!??? Anyone have any advise or ideas. It's greatly appreciated! Thanks so much.

James

Columbus, Ohio

Jumbalius

I forgot to add that I didn't get the top starter bolt back in yet either, seems like a lot of people have a problem with that. I'm gonna have to tear the car back apart it seems but let me know if anyone has any ideas. I made sure to hook back all the ground wires too and everything .... Thanks again!

Stratocaster

Actually there are a number of us that don't have that upper bolt in place. I left it out to save time on the next change. My car is a track only car and will be apart more offten then most.

negcamber

Grounds would still be my guess. But I don't know anyone else using the Duralast starter...maybe it's not completely up to OEM specs?

Kirpich

Loose and charred-up ground was my problem when I had a '96 Integra.

Slows2k

Never had much luck with any Autozone starter or alternator. Usually takes 2-3 "lifetime" warranty parts to get 1 that actually works.

Jumbalius

Thanks for all the info guys --- so i checked my plugs (ngk 7173) and they need changed but figured i would mention that when the car turns over (cranking) it seems to get faster and faster as it's going longer. Takes about 10 secs of cranking to get going.

Let me know if this helps anything else.

Thanks Slows2k for the info - im gonna take it out here next few days and demand they take it back (of course not telling them i installed it) and hopefully they will. Any other suggestions. I know i put all the grounds back on, maybe one isn't getting good connection.

Jumbalius

Thanks for the tip man, I didn't find any loose, and they were all clean looking, car has very low miles and always in the garage so nothing is rusting or junk built up on it that i could see.

I will have to loosen them and re-tighten just to be sure. I also wonder if it's hitting the flywheel at a weird angle since it's starting slow and then speeding up ....

Jumbalius

UPDATE - Well got the top bolt in, changed all my spark plugs bc got a misfire CEL, took all the connections off, made sure they were clean and good grounds, and still back to square one. Gonna go spend a few hrs and take the thing out now. Must be a bad starter, this pi$$es me off so much time spent and nothing!

Gonna see if i can just return the stupid thing to autozone for a refund and get one from Honda. We'll see but I don't feel like doing this ALL OVER AGAIN!

I'll keep you guys updated.

Kirpich

I wonder if the misfire was as a result of slow cranking during startup. If it was during idling, you might have a restricted intake or exhaust, i.e. not enough air being able to enter engine due to rodent's partying, or clogged up exhaust (does it sound funny?). If it fires up, feel the exhaust gas flow with both hands in front of exhaust tips, maybe one is clogged up all the way, or whatnot.