surferdude949

My car lately has been slow to start in the mornings. It turns on on the first try but kicks in a bit slow. During the day it starts better but not on point as it should.
I took it to a mechanic, he tried starting the car 4 times in a row and on the 4th the car did not turn over.
He said it was my starter
The battery is almost new, no clicking when I turn on the ignition.

What do you guys think?
2004 TSX auto, 125k

kipsy

someone just posted a DIY on the starter, looks like the intake has to come off. just replaced my battery today due to original showing as bad on test. 2006.

tsxykid105

id make sure you got a battery that has enough cca(cold cranking amps) i have an acura battery that i got about 2 yrs ago and i think it has 550cca or 650cca i dont remember. it should tell you on the battery itself. with our engines having a high compression and stronk for a 4 cyl it take some power to get moving.

mrgold35

It could be a combination of cold weather and a possible weak battery. The last couple of Sears Diehard batteries I’ve had needed to be replaced before the full warranty was up. It could also be the starter and/or alternator. All those things could contribute to a slow starting engine.

I replaced my 100 month OEM battery on my 06 TSX at the 60 month mark with about 70,000 miles on the Odo. My TSX was doing the same thing with the slow starts. I had the interstate folks check out the battery first and it tested in the “needs to be replaced” range. I replaced with the 75 month Interstate Megatron 51R for about $100+tax (625 CA & 500 CCA).

The Mechanic should be able to test the battery and the rest of the electrical system at the same time?

AcuraSon26

I bought my 2006 TSX used with 40K, after a week or so I noticed slow start in the morning, same thing it starts but it just seems to take a little longer then it should. I had the starter checked, it was good, i put in a new battery, and its still takes a little long, but it always starts. My mechanic said I shouldnt worry about it, so I dont anymore. My dads 05 TL also has a bit of a lag on the start but its got 80+K and no problems, so my advice is to not worry about it. Just embrace it as a quirk of ur TSX.

tsxykid105

also it not a quirk i just remembered (because i read over my manual again) and when you put the key in a turn it the ecu has to recongize the key and it also adjusts all parameters of the engine to get the cleanest start(hense lev) and also has to prime the fuel pump. so the will always be a little delay from first turn too start. as long as it doesnt stumble starting or anything then your good.

npolite

Like everyone else has posted it sounds like your battery. Especially when you mentioned that when it warms up (during the day) it gets better. I haven't heard of many Hondas having starter issues especially with only 125k miles.

I had to replace my battery last year and mine is a 2007.

gmagill10

This exact same thing happened to me. But unfortunately for me sometimes my car would barely start or in some cases it wouldn't start at all. My battery tested out fine but we replaced it anyways. But after not driving my car for 2 days my car wouldn't start when it was like 30 degrees out even with a brand new battery. It turns out that it was my starter. The post in the starter had rusted out and it killed the ground in the starter so the starter was drawing power when it wasn't being used. Just for your info I have an 04 TSX with only 112,000 miles on it. Hopefully this isn't the case with you since this cost me $700 to fix and I didn't take it to the stealership.

If this is what is wrong definitely spend the extra $100 and get the nicest starter possible since you want it to last since it is an expensive fix. I didn't get an OEM starter.

CarbonGray Earl

I replaced my starter about a year ago. Get your battery tested just to check.

FYI, I went with a Denso unit for my starter. Apparently, Denso make the OEM, but having that 'Honda' stamp on it makes it quite a bit more expensive.