EliteCM.net

Hi everyone, just want to thank in advance with any help given.

So I am having issues on my 2003 Accord 4cyl Sedan Lx
The car has 236k miles on it, and has never had any issues.

Recently I have been having this strange issue when my car struggle to start and on some days it wont start at all.  It basically feels that I have a weak battery and its not giving enough power to the starter to start the car. So I  took that battery to AutoZone since I have warranty on it and they told me the battery is good and holds a charge, so then I used a multi meter to check if that alternator works, and its giving me a reading of 14.2v .  So that also work, so then I took off the starter and took it to Kragen so they could test it, and worked just fine.  

So now I am stumped,  any Idea what it could be?

So, let me see if I understand this. You turn the key to start and it turns but weakly. Correct? If so, have you tried jump starting to see if in fact your battery is bad?

Also, please post in the appropriate forum next time.

Sorry I wasnt sure where to post this problem of mine. Thanks for riderecting me.

But Yes, I turn the key and turns weak, but majority of the time it starts up..  But some times it doesnt..   But here is the werid part, for me to start the car I need to remove the key off the ignition turn on the headlights for a minute or two and try again to start the car and start up just fine..   

There has been only one time where I needed a jump and the car took a while until to start up.

That is a weird one. Got me dude.

Have you tried cleaning your battery connections or made sure that they're on nice and tight on the terminals? I had a similar issue a while back and that was the problem.

That's actually not a bad idea Nel. Sometimes you have those. It isn't often so you should capitalize on this one.

Well when I removed the Starter to test it last night and I cleaned all the connections including the battery (it was a bit dirty) so we will see if I have the issue come up again.

Hopefully that's the case and everything is resolved.


Thanks buddy! Much appreciated!!

Check your batter ground also. Make sure you have a good clean contact to the chassis.

 

I will make sure to do that tonight and thanks again everyone for the input.. Hopefully its that simple of a fix..

I will keep you guys posted with updates.

Ok so I am on the third day since I cleaned all the connections and I have not been having any issues, so f*ck yeah. ;D   but my check engine light came on.. so I am going to Meineke, they are offering free code scan read.. So I am going to take advantage on that.

Good shit on the engine starting problems. Bad shit with the check engine light.

Just got back from Meineke,    Sensor Code P0420 popped up, did some googleing and looks like my CAT is going, so going to take it off this weekend clean it out and put it back on.

Hopefully that resolves the problem.

That's not your cat. That's your secondary o2 sensor.

P0420 is the code for low catalyst efficiency. I had the same issue with my set up when I was running a high flow cat.

Do you just have the stock exhaust or an aftermarket set up on your car?

all stock exhaust, its my DD..

Cleaning your cat probably won't do a thing.  I'm not really sure how you would clean a catalytic converter anyway.  Basically, your catalytic converter isn't doing it's job.  You can either replace the cat with a new one, or get one of those O2 sensor spacer/extender things. 

I would reset the light and drive it see what happens.

But Easy test you can do jack up the car and let it run until normal operating temperature. Take a temp meter and check temp before the cat pipe and after the cat. There should be a difference in temperatures, if temps are the same cat could be bad

OK Guys, really need major help....  Forget about that Check Engine Light

Tried to start my car today and NOTHING....  :'(

First symptoms looked like a weak battery with weak cranking and then no cranking just a clicking.

So I took off the alternator to get it tested and its works just fine..  Tested the battery again and it works.

I tried jumping the car and it still wont turn on..

Could it be a Relay, Fuse, ??? HELP

Probably starter if battery and alt good.

I agree with Paul.

He said he had it checked. Don't we have a main relay floating around in the dash like older Honda's? I know that being an issue on them so not sure if that fits with this situation.

I found this online I will be checking them out later today

http://www.webanswers.com/automobiles/maintenance-repairs/weres-is-the-main-relay-for-my-2003-honda-accord-b59ac7 (http://www.webanswers.com/automobiles/maintenance-repairs/weres-is-the-main-relay-for-my-2003-honda-accord-b59ac7)

Does your immobilized light flash? The green one? When the key is in ignition?

No we do not have a "main relay" like the older hondas, they broke it out into two standard relays in the drivers fuse box starting with the 7th gen.

Until you turn the key to the on position and power the ECU and Immobi Transponder , yes, but based on your description of the starter just clicking with a good battery I am still pointing at the starter.

I wasn't sure whether we did or not. Thanks for the clarification Paul.

I will be buying a new starter tomorrow, to give it a try.. I also believe the starter is no good..

will keep you guys posted.

The Verdict is in, it’s the Starter.   

Just want to thank everyone for the help.  Really glad I didn’t have to take it to shop and pay a huge fee.

Also another recap on the Check Engine light, "P0420".

Well rather then biting the bullet and paying $700 for a new CAT.  I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try and clean the CAT.  So I pulled out theCAT, blew air into it with a air gun then soaked the CAT in hot soapy water for an hour or so, then ran water threw it several times, blew air again to dry it. Put it back into the car and the check engine vanished immediately, and I did not remove the battery..

So I am very happy that worked out for me.

How many miles have you put on the car since then?

Well I worked on the car on Sunday and so far I have put around 100 miles. Car kind of feels to run smoother.  or it could just be all in my head. :D