2001 Honda Civic Possible Starter issue?

Tiny
JDCASE1982
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,600 MILES
Hi I joined this forum just because I'm not sure about my car's issue and I thought it couldn't hurt to ask someone more knowledgeable than myself with Honda's. Anyhow last night I got in my car tried to start it and it cranked very weak and sounded like it was skipping teeth on the flywheel because it'd crank a little then stop then crank again on it's own (as long as I kept the key turned to start). Then I let it sit for about 3 seconds tried again and it did it again tried to crank but failed to start this time I didn't wait 3 seconds I turned it back then tried to start it again and this time it sounded like it grinded the flywheel teeth (the same noise it makes when the car is already started). I thought it was because I was out of gas (my tank was on E) so I put a full tank in it drove home and when I got in it this morning the car started doing it again. It'll crank skipping weak sounding like it's not making contact with the flywheel then if I don't wait it grinds and eventually it'll start. I don't know if it helps any but if I just let it crank really weak for about 5 seconds it'll begin to start (you can hear the engine trying to turn over) then eventually it finally turns over and runs. I don't have any issues with it aside from that (and a very slight leak out of the valve cover gasket) I just changed the oil 1k miles ago, it's had a trans service, coolant flush, and full tune up @ 100k so it should be good to go. Basically what I'm hoping is someone here has had a very similar problem and can tell me if it is in fact my starter or if I should look into the ignition switch, possibly the battery (even though the lights and wipers all lightup/move normal) any help is greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 AT 5:30 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi JDCase1982,

I believe the starter is failing causing the problem.

Disconnect the starter solenoid and apply battery voltage to it to test if it works correctly.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 15th, 2010 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
JDCASE1982
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ok just to be clear I should gain access to the starter motor (on my honda by removing the air intake box) then I'm guessing use some sort of insulated tool like a screw driver with a rubber handle and well short the positive and negative leads together that would work right? I mean it sounds right I've never actually had to test a starter before this would be the first time I've ever had 1 go bad on me.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 15th, 2010 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Yes about removing the air cleaner housing but DO NOT try to bridge the starter terminals with any tool. The current from the battery is very high and any mistake can cause a lot of injuries and damages.

Just disconnect the solenoid wire by pulliing it out. Use a wire with terminal at end to plug into the starter solenoid terminal and apply battery voltage to the wire. If the starter cranks, then it is good. If it clicks without cranking and the battery is confirmed to be good, then the starter is bad.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, July 16th, 2010 AT 7:13 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links