As you guys now, I've had problems with my car starting. The problem is intermittant and the dealer can not locate it. It is not the battery, nor the battery connections. when it doesn't start, there is power for everything else ie. lights, top, etc and when the start button is pushed, all you get is a clicking sound. The problem is worse when the car has been running a while. Example, I drove over to my GF's house....about 20min away. The car was parked for 5min. When I tried to start it, it wouldn;t turn over. The car sat for 3hrs then started right up. This morning I drove home. When I stopped the car. I immediately tried to start it, and again....no start. Any clues? Anything in the starting mechanism that would be heat sensitive?

 

I'm assuming that the problem is that when you press the start button, you get a clicking sound, but the engine doesn't turn over.

This means that power is getting to the solenoid (which causes the clicking) but the starter motor isn't turning over. This can be caused by one of the following problems:

• Battery bad or run down
  
• corrosion or bad connection at the battery
  
• There is a bad ground to the engine
  
• The solenoid is bad, preventing the starter motor from engaging
  
• The engine is binding (unlikely)
  
• Bad starter motor

If the dealer cannot locate it, that means that they probably tested the battery and the amperage to the starter moter, and both are good. The intermittent nature suggests two likely causes: a bad solenoid or a bad ground.

If you haven't cleaned off the battery terminals, that's always the first thing you want to do. Even if there is no corrosion, remove each terminal and clean them with a wire brush or steel wool. Oxide can form on the terminals, causing this type of intermittent problem.

I'm not sure where the ground strap is to our engine, but if possible, remove the bolt, clean the contact with steel wool or a wire brush, and reattach. Another way to check the ground: The next time it happens, pop the hood and run a jumper (eg: you can use half of a set of jumper cables) from the negative terminal of the battery to the engine. Make sure you have a good solid connection. If the car still doesn't start, then I'd look at getting your starter replaced due to a bad solenoid (I'm not positive, but I believe the solenoid is an integral part of the starter on this car).

This same thing happened to my daily driver with the exact same symptoms a few months ago. I replaced the starter and the problems went away.

Good luck!

 

MAP sensor maybe? Those are strange symptoms.

 

Here's an update..
1) this is a new battery and the problem has been going on for 2 weeks...the terminals are clean enough to eat off of (I've cleaned them)
2)I can replicate the problem..
I think it is the starter solenoid. The wouln't start when I got home today (when I got home, I shut the engine off, tried to restart it and nothing). So, I let it cool down and it started right up. So, I took it for a quick drive down the hwy and when I got home....no start.

 

ten,

Here's my story that may help you pin it down. A friend had the same problem...intermittent problems with starting, but it didn't matter about the temp. I finally got so tired of it, I whipped out the voltmeter and started checking voltages all along the harnesses. Power was making it up to the firewall from inside the cabin, so it HAD to be inside the engine bay. A quick look showed nothing but wire between the firewall and starter, so it HAD to be with that starter assembly.

Take it out to Ford (Fixed Or Repaired Daily, Found On Road Dead), they come back with a starter that has a faulty set of diodes. The diodes would decide to conduct one minute and stop the next. So you're probably on to the right problem, but if you have the time/tools, I suggest doing some snooping to narrow down the problem for the shop. If you can tell them the starter is getting power, but it's not turning, they'll quickly replace it and you'll be heading home.

 

Thanks mac....
Unfortunately, I am a mechanical shortbus. I can try though. Thanks.

 

Old Volvo models use to have the same problem as you described, and ends when the started motor was changed.

Good Luck



Juan

 

Honda's have had problems with the fuel pump relay - although since you indicated clicking, I am assuming the starter is not cranking - so a solenoid problem may be right as others have stated. If the starter does go, and the engine starts OK when cold, but not when hot or when parked in the sun, it is likely the starter relay. It is under the dash in the steering wheel area.

 

RR, the clicking is comming from behind the start button. My Gf's father is a mechanic and was with me when the car wouldn't start at FC. He said power was getting TO the solenoid.

 

Its the starter itself. The solenoid and starter are a single unit. Common problem. Main Fuel relay would still cause the engine to turn over. All it does it control the fuel pump. If power is getting to the solenoid then the starter should engage. If it doesn't...bad starter. BTW...I work on Hondas/Acuras everyday.