I have a 2006 TSX. When I turn the key, the car makes a grinding/screeching sound. I immediately turn the key back and try it again and the car starts just fine. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is it just a bad starter?

 

I've read previously about weak starters. I too have an 06 and lately have noticed a "slow" start. It seems like you don't get the car started the first try but on the second. Am I right?

 

Yes that's right. I read somewhere that it's normal sometimes for that to happen. But it never made that screeching/grinding noise before. Are you getting the same sound?

 

If it's just screeching it might be your accesory belt. You can try cleaning it with some belt dressing.

 

Are you 100% sure the noise is coming from the starter itself? I get a BUZZZZ from the steering column on rare occasions when turning the key over, but tightening and cleaning the grounds at the battery and negative battery cable fixed it.

 

My vote is for a weak battery. After 2 years, my battery was just about dead. Now I have an Optima 35 (most recommend the YellowTop 51R) and no issues.... unless you have a weak ground.

 

If it's coming from the engine compartment, it is the starter. The starter drive gear has not engaged the ring gear on the flywheel. It could be the starter not spinning up quickly enough, the starter slightly misaligned with the engine block, a weak battery, or a poor battery connection. This is one for the factory warranty ...

 

Thank you everyone for your responses. The sound seems to be coming from the steering column but I'm not 100% certain. It's a 2006 so I don't think the battery is dead. Since the car is under warranty I'll probably just drop it off and have it looked at.

 

The thing w/ car batteries is that they are under very harsh conditions, plus, they aren't necessarily just as old as the car is -- they've used the same OEM battery on MANY Honda/Acura cars over the past 10+ years -- your battery could have been made in 2004 for all you know.

A load test will show the batteries' condition, but be prepared to only get a pro-rated warranty replacement from the dealership. So you'll probably have to pay about 50-70% of the cost of a new one, which is a POS -- get a better battery and don't look back to the crappy OEM one.