I am having a problem with the starter motor or solenoid on a 1996 Acura 3.2 TL with 114,000 miles. When you try to start the car the first time each day, you must turn the ignition key from 6 to 20 times before the engine will start. When you turn the ignition key there is a clicking sound, so the problem is not the battery since it is outputting 12+ volts. Each time you turn the ignition key it advances the starter motor a bit, so it eventually reaches a point where good contact is made and the engine will start. I have described the problem to the Service Representative at my Acura dealer and he claims it is either the starter motor or the solenoid. Another independent Japanese car repair shop mechanic said that the contacts in the solenoid or starter motor get burnt or blackened and have poor electrical contact, so the engine will not start at that position. The problem is frustrating and expensive to fix, since the starter motor is buried behind other components which must be removed to access the starter motor. Most places want around $700 to replace the starter motor/solenoid, most of which is labor cost.

My question: Is there any other solution or troubleshooting procedure to this problem other than replacement of the starter motor/solenoid?

 

It could be a faulty keyswitch as I have the exact same issue with a brand new starter, albeit it happens relatively infrequently.

~Cheers~

 

I saw that the N1concepts teg had this problem with the ITR ignition. It started up perfectly though.

 

^ I could ask you the same thing! I got home a little while ago, it's been a busy night. There was a fire on 28th Avenue and Lincoln. I talked to the owner of the house and something in the garage caught fire bringing 4 fire truck, an ambulance, two fire chiefs, and the Heavy Rescue squad. Then I proceeded to destroy this asshole in a first gen 3.2TL who gave me a bunch of sarcastic remarks when I said I loved his car (I eased off the line and then punched it, but started to spin at 5K to 6K RPM!), a new Civic coupe, an Accord, and a modded Impreza. That damn thing freaking jumped off the line but I managed to pull past him once I got traction.

~Cheers~

 

^ hahha, both ya funny. too much coffee

 

Surprisingly, I only had one cup. I normally drink nothing but coffee all day, but I'm trying to cut back. I'm actually about to drink some right now. I hear my kettle whistling, haha.

~Cheers~

 

yea, I have a friend on 28th avenue, she called me at like 1:30am to tell me about the fire. Some car battery or something caught on fire and there were 28 firefighters there.

 

^ goin for two nights straight, I see.

 

Uh... Where do you see that? I was there at 12:15 when the fire broke out.

~Cheers~

 

I was saying that she called me at 1:30am that day the fire was.

 

No the problem is worn contacts in the solenoid. Solenoid contacts were not replaceable on the 2.5TL, but might be on the 3.2TL. A new solenoid unit could be installed or rebuilt starter. Unforturnately, only way to fix is to remove the starter. It's a pain on the 2.5TL also. Do a search on starter for more info. Seems like I read of some managing this w/o major surgery.

good luck

 

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thanks Texas for the useful post...