Lately, about every tenth time I try to start my car (really it's more random than that) the car won't start. The dash lights won't dim, the starter won't click or anything. Totally silent. When this happens, the power in the car works flawlessly which seems to rule out a battery problem. However, what really rules out the battery is that the car will start just fine after I pump the brakes about five or six times.

Has anyone experienced anything remotely like this? We weren't able to replicate the problem at the dealer and their battery test showed a perfect battery (it's only 3 months old, after all).

It's a 2005, MT w/Navi. 3000 miles.

 

That's a new one. Haven't heard anything like this before.

 

That's a headscratcher for sure. Maybe the starter is defective?

 

what are your mods ?

maybe the computer senses faulty brake problem and so wont let car start ?

 

Yea... that is strange. Maybe it's your starter going out and it's just a coincidence that when you pump the brakes, it fixes it for that time.

 

odd...

but, hey, if it works...

 

This was my initial thought too. Next time it won't start, DON'T pump the brakes and see if you can get it to start again.

If you can isolate the problem to the brakes, then yeah- seems like a faulty brake sensor is preventing the car from starting.

 

Do you have anything on your key chain besides the TSX key and key fob? Maybe something on your key chain is interfering with the chip in the key.

 

I agree with the comments by viking and phirenze regarding troubleshooting. IMHO, it would seem that the problem (no start) is unrelated to the the solution (pumping the brakes). However, the common element in a MT is the hydraulic system...

Nevertheless, my inclination is to say that the problems are most likely unrelated. I am thinking the "clutch start kill" switch, or whatever Honda is calling it (i.e., the pin switch that will not allow the car to start unless the clutch is fully depressed). Perhaps the wiring to the switch is suspect, and the brake pumping does just enough by way of vibration (or whatever) to make the switch/wiring viable.

BTW, according to a parts schematic, there is also a combo stop/cruise switch of some sort on the brake pedal-- although it is unclear to me why this would/how this could be the issue...

Good luck with locating the problem!

 

Yeah... my initial thought is also the immobilizer mistakenly prevents starting up...

 

This is what my wife and I are starting to suspect as well. The pumping the brakes was a fluke - that may have vibrated the keys to the point of working. It seems to be the key sensor in the steering wheel, because both my wife and I are having the same problem. However, we can't duplicate the problem so Acura thinks we're crazy.

 

Well try keeping your car key seperate from your other keys and see if the problem still happens. I keep my car key on a separate key ring and my other keys stay in my pocket.

 

My 2001 Altima has a switch that inhibits the ignition in the event the brake light doesn't work, or the brake pedal isn't depressed when starting the car. While I've never had that sort of problem, and I don't know if my TSX has a similar feature, I'd imagine it would behave very much in the way described here if it does.....

 

If I pump the brakes while starting the car it starts fine. If I don't pump the brakes the ignition turns over and then the car dies. Weird resolution to the issue. I'll check to see if there is a problem with the brakes since JohnnyCNote had the same problem with his altima.