Car has been running fine until yesterday morning. I went outside to head to the store and nothing but a click. Have full power to everything ( windows, lights, radio etc...) Checked my battery power which is fine. Tried to jump it as well and didn't work. I turn the key and you here the click click click but nothing.

I replaced the starter about 20k miles ago in late '08.

I'm not much of a mechanic but was wondering if any easy things I could check that would save me a lot of money before I have it towed tomorrow. I've been searching the forums for 30 minutes and the one thing I saw that I could try had to do with cleaning the terminals to make sure no corrosion has built up.

Outside of that any other things I might be able to check or am I basically screwed>?

 

Battery would still be the first thing to check, then i would check the starter.

 

It had 12.4 on the little battery meter for what that's worth. I think that is a tad low but I'm not certain.

 

a 99--I go with ck the ignition switch back-electrical part

Acura replaces once under recall then on you the next 3 times it fails

try wiggling the keys slightly,, and remove any excess keys from ring

Will it shift to N when off?, then try starting- with brake and park brakes on

 

Okay, as far as the ignition switch is that something I could replace myself as a novice? I imagine it'll take a couple weeks to get that from Acura.

It will allow me to shift it to Neutral but it wouldn't start.

 

Yes, its doable. You can find instructions in the DIY section of the forum.

 

try the saftey override

 

What is this?

 

he can get it to N so thats not an issue

IF it wont shift out of Park- lift that small cover on right side of shifter plate,
insert car key- no kidding- and push straight down-
it releases the lock and you shift to N, then car will start
This safety device is to warn of no or partial brake light operation and can also fail on its own

the ignition key part is a simple diy for the limber~
call `acura care` and see if it was ever done under recall
1 800 382 2238 x5 gets a human- have cars VIN in hand

parts store may have in stock or next day less than 50 dollars,, acura- special order

 

Is this what I'm looking for?

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=223242_0_0_

 

This same issue has happen to me before. don't waste your money. there is a little slot next to your shifter. take off the cover and stick you key in it.... i forgot the process but it is something like that. look it up in the owner manual.

 

yes.... I changed the ignition switch back before too. just try the key thing first man...

 

leo-
I descibed the nuetral safety switch override a few post above.
this is if it wont shift out of park

make sure brakes and park brake are ON

remove small cover on right side of shifter- insert car key- push down to unlock and shift to N
remove key and use to start car
Will have to repeat this each time you turn the car off

 

Take battery off, have charged first then load tested. 12.4v sounds low. Check both batt. cables (both ends) to verify they are clean & tight. Have radio & nav. codes available.
Check easy stuff first. Connections are weak points.

 

go buy a new battery and fix the problem the easy way by replacing the dead battery, and next time you jump a car don't hook both jumper cables to the battery on the dead car you hook the positive to the battery but the negitive goes to the engine block not the neg post of the battery.

 

Yeah, I finally had to take it in to shop. It was the starter.

$240 for part and $100 for labor.

 

did you try the override first?

 

And you replaced it in 2008? Have receipt? Warranty period?

 

It was a one year warranty on the starter.

 

Yeah, the override was fine btw I did check that.

 

Wow, that's pricey, do you have an advance auto parts in houston, the starter should only be 125 bucks and it easy to install, two bolts and a couple wires. a lil late for that news now but I have the same issue as well.