Hello everyone, I have an 04 TL with 107,000 miles automatic. So my car has given me starting problems once in a blue moon throughout my life of having it, but usually she'll start up again after a couple tries. For the past two weeks though it's been more frequent. To where it would take me about 10-15 tries for my car to start sometimes.

About 8 months ago I got stuck in a parking lot, and it wouldn't start for about 30 minutes. I finally thought to put it in neutral and first try she started up. No more starting issues after that, but I was curious to why it wouldn't start. I took it to Tire Kingdom the next day to have my battery, alternator, and starter all tested. Everything checked out great, and of course the car started every time after that incident.

Ever since two weeks ago, same thing as happened but worse and more frequent. Now my car hasn't been starting for the past three days out of nowhere. There's no rapid clicking noise, no noise really at all, the car doesn't try to turn over, there's just one clicking noise coming from somewhere in my engine bay. I don't have much money right now for a dealership to rip me off with a $150 diagnostics fee, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? All my lights come on, the green key light on the dash is present, I can't figure it out. I read about the Neutral Safety Switch, but I may think it's my starter.

Please, someone help. Thank you.

 

Here's a video of my issue...

 

Starter would be my guess.

If it doesn't start, hit the starter with a breaker bar or tire iron. If the car then starts, the starter is your problem.

FWIW, my TL got a new starter a couple of months ago.

 

So glad you suggested that. I went outside with my breaker bar and beat the shit out of my starter. Tried to start and it started right up. Thank you, I totally forgot to try that, ha.

 

My best guess is Neutral safety Switch. I had the same issue on my old Crown Vic. Put in neutral and she'd start right up. Or Jiggle in park.

 

I had the same problem a few months back. If you can, contact Honda and ask if they have any remanufactored starters

The accord 3.0L 04-07 use the same starter as the TL. Plus it would be cheaper going through honda.

 

Can anyone clarify about the Ignition Relay? I'm starting to believe it's that instead of the starter. It's the relay located by my fuse box under my driver side next to the brake pedal? Is it that black relay? Thanks.

 

Bump.

Days after my weird IAT sensor problem, I had the same thing happen to me in a grocery store parking lot. The starter would click like it wanted to turn over but just wouldnt.

Drained the battery and didn't get another problem until about 2 hours later. If I jiggle the relay underneath the steering column it will start right up.

I really think it is the relay in this case. Anyone else dealt with this sort of relay issue?