rlerman

Still in the process. Last thing I did was replaced the starter cut relay in the fuse panel in the driver footwell, I didn't want to jinx it, but since I did that haven't had an issue, it's been about a week and a half. I'm actually leaning toward a crappy Acura battery if this doesn't work. I think their CCAs are too low for this car. I'll report back in a couple of weeks,

rlerman

Still waiting to see. I replaced starter cut relay in driver footwell, been about 10 days, issue hasn't arisen, but the issue typically happens once every 2-4 weeks so it's inconclusive right now, hope I didn't jinx it. If this doesn't work, I think the battery is the issue. I feel the Acura batteries are too low on CCAs. Advance auto has one with 200 more CCAs I think, that will be my next battery.

oo7spy

EDIT: Just saw the time of first post. Probably needs more coffee.

rlerman

It posted twice, first time it never showed up. I came back to check and there was nothing so I posted again. You can delete either one. Sorry, thx.

oo7spy

I'm good.

mark1980

Can you post the part number for relay? Also where did you get it from?

Glad that your problem is solved. Crossed fingers.

rlerman

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...nid=390&jpid=0

$4

SturtMcGurt

My 05 with 108k miles is doing the EXACT same thing right now. Im taking it to a mechanic tom for a couple other small issues but will have him look at this also. Has yours done it since you replaced the starter relay?

rlerman

Still good, hasn't happened, been about a month now, just on the fringe of when it might occur. If it goes another week or so without doing it. I'd say the starter relay was the issue. It's definitely DIY, a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10.

rlerman

Back to the drawing board, happened again last night, been about 30 days. Cranks but won't turnover on first try. Second try starts right up.

To sum up, have changed starter cut and fuel relays in driver footwell and cleaned the grounds at starter. Spark plugs are new, problem existed with old plugs too. There is another cut relay, but not quite sure where it is located, looks like below the driver wiper arm area.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

You only cleaned one ground?

rlerman

Cleaned ground at starter, which I think was only ground coming off the battery. are there other points?

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

There's plenty of points, each ground certain components. Here's a quick breakdown:

G1 - Off of the battery
G2 - Trans Housing
G3/G4 - PS Pump area/Shock tower
G102 - PS Line
G101 - Under the TB (bitch to get to with the intake on)
G202 - Pass shock tower

That's the grounds in the engine bay that I got from a quick search on Alldatadiy. I think your problem could be related to grounds 101/102 since they ground a lot of components. Not 100% sure its the issue but simple free diagnostics FTW..

rlerman

Wondering if it might be some kind of software issue/glitch given how infrequent it is and the fact that it always starts on the second try. Doesn't seem like a ground issue, which I'd think would show up more consistently and often. I could be totally wrong. I'll look at the ground points you noted anyway. Thx

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

On my 03' CLS6 I had a similar infrequent starting issue that was solved by a faulty ground. Hopefully it solves your issue.

rlerman

Despite cleaning all associated grounds, The frequency of no starts has increased condiserably so I'm going to replace the starter. Even though it cranks, but won't turn over, I think the solenoid is flaking out.. I got a reman denso from autopartswarehouse for $166 delivered, not including the core charge. Never replaced a starter before, but this seems pretty straightforward...two easily accessible bolts holding it in plus two connections.

One question, I see the larger electrical connection has a screw terminal, but what kind of connection is the smaller wire? Does it just pull off to disconnect?
Thx

rlerman

Thinking about this quite a bit lately and reading more of the shop manual. BAD Starts can be fuel related as there are quite a fuel links to the fuel section. Starting to think it may be fuel related. When it starts the second time, starts just a little rough as if its struggling to find fuel.

The way I start my car is to turn the knob all the way in one quick motion and then let it go. I think this might be the issue. Instead, I think i need to do it more slowly and stop at the accessory position for a couple of seconds, then complete the start. Someone maybe can confirm. but I believe in the accessory position the fuel pump runs to build pressure. I tried it twice in this manner and it seemed to start quicker. Will take some time to decipher this, but is there a test a DIYer can do to measure fuel pressure at the rail as it's starting or some other way to test the fuel system during a start?

oo7spy

Purely from speculatuon and assumptions of what is going on, I tend to agree with you. Maybe it's from experience with diesels, but flying past the (II) accessory position just doesn't feel right. I treat it the same as I do shifting after startup. Even in a hurry, I won't throw it out of park until the revs have settled at least a little.

rlerman

Reading the owners manual on how to start the car, says to put your foot on the brake. I never do that. Is something triggered when you put your foot on the brake? Says nothing about pausing at accessory, but it does duscuss what to do if the car doesn't start on the first attempt so it may not be that uncommon. Page 263 I believe it is.

Blues Legend

This problem used to be down to dry soldered joints in the main relay in older Hondas.

Or the transducer in the ignition lock that senses the immobiliser chip in the key.

I wonder if it's the same here?

Search NSX Prime and you should find what I'm on about.

rlerman

I'm probably going to jinx myself, but I think I have this figured out. I believe it's a fuel delivery issue that occurs if you start the car too fast. As I stated earlier, I normally would start the car by turning the knob in one quick and smooth motion, releasing when it goes all the way and let it crank. What I'm doing now is turning the knob to the accessory position until the fuel gauge registers, then finish starting it. Putting it on accessory gets the fuel pump going to build pressure at the rail. Since doing this, I notice the car has been starting quicker and my starting issue has not occurred, been over two weeks now.

Not sure why it started happening, but perhaps my fuel pump or something in the delivery process is starting to fail. I'll report back if it happens again,but for those having a starting issue, try starting the car as indicated.

oo7spy

The fuel filter isn't really replaceable. Maybe it's partially clogged? If it works, then so be it, but it sounds like a new pump/filter assembly may be the next step.

rlerman

Where is it located? In the tank under the back seat?

I run a bottle of techron through it once a year, be surprised if it were clogged.

oo7spy

Lift up the back seat and it comes out from the top. It's relatively simple.

1CLNRL

Howdy. Just curious if you have experienced any starting issues since your last post? Did you end up installing the new starter?


My 06 just started experiencing very similar starting issues last week. I charged the battery to ensure that wasn't the issue. And have had sporadic starting issues. But, also seems to start on the second try.


Very frustrating.....

rlerman

See post 61. Since I changed the way I start the car, it has not happened. Turn knob to accessory, wait a few seconds for fuel gauge to register, turn knob to complete start holding it until it does, release. I used to fly by accessory, and then quickly release it in one motion...no good. Hope this helps you.

1CLNRL

Ok, thanks for confirming. I started using this start procedure a few days ago, but I'm still experiencing issues. First crank nothing then, turn off and try again and fires right up. I have not gone through and done any of the other things you tried initially. Car only has 24,000 miles on it, but is 10 years old now. Wonder if I should try the other things you did as well to see if it helps?