Do yourself a favor and locate the knock sensor before you get busy trying to wriggle the starter out of there. Despite all the warnings not to touch it, it's easy to break even if you think you are being careful. And that little piece will cost you more than your rebuilt starter. Ask me how I know.

 

Its the signal starter connection. Its the spade connector (not the one with a nut). Just make sure its all the way in when you connect it and you'll be fine

 

Knock sensor has one fun factor when broken ,has a million miles of wire inside it.

 

add me to the list of broken knock sensor. After reading this thread, I thought when the knock sensor broke I was done for lol At any rate, the knock sensor broke when i tried to unclip it. It was going to break anyways by just looking at it . After 13 years was engine heat, it was done for. I was able to get a new honda knock sensor delivered in a few days. Initially I order one from amazon that was coming from Japan and the shipment was 3-6 weeks so I'm like crap. It was so much cheaper and I figure I give it a shot. After realizing it was going to take a long time, I order from a dealership nearby and it was only 110 bucks so not too bad. So now I have an extra knock sensor lol

at any rate, the install of the new starter was straight forward after not worrying about the knock sensor lol Snaking it out the bottom was tricky. Just want to confirm that it was the starter causing it not to start. One click = bad starter lol

 

Yeah, I think the DIYs should be changed from "be careful not to break the knock sensor" to "buy a new knock sensor with your new starter and replace the one you're going to break". I haven't read many stories about successful starter replacements that don't include a new knock sensor.

Looks like you got a good deal on an OEM sensor AND solved your starting problem. Successful weekend.

 

thnx so now i have a bad starter...what to do with it? lol anyone looking for a bad starter that they want to rebuild

 

Since used working starters can be had for around $50, I don't think it has much value in its current condition. Maybe someone will want it as a project.

I rebuilt mine to solve the screeching problem on cold starts. It had a ton of crap in it but it still worked. I just cleaned/greased it and replaced the brushes ($30).

 

Is that how you solved the screeching? You just simply cleaned and greased it?

 

Essentially, yes. I also replaced the brushes and sanded the commutator while I had it apart but I don't think they contributed to the noise. Since the rebuild in January I have not had a single noise from it and the car turns over easier than before as a bonus. The starter had 110k miles on it when I rebuilt it.

The suggestion came from this thread: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-ireland-s2000-community-25/what-s-noisy-starter-motor-904148/

The explanation below makes sense to me:

 

Where did you get the brushes?

I'm thinking it should be recommended to do this service, cleaning and brushes, as preventative maintenance whenever doing a clutch. Hard part done, starter is already out.