Hey everyone. Sucks to be posting in the Problems section but here we go lol.

So about 6 months ago I got in my car and it just wouldn't start. I don't remember what it was doing, but it wouldn't crank up or try to start.

I hooked up jumper cables to it from someone else's car and still, same issue. I left it hooked to the other car for a while and it wouldn't do anything for me. I tried my remote start and it wouldn't start either. One click, no start. I realized my battery was probably good and I let the guy go.

Then I hopped in the car, tried remote start, and it started no problem. Weird.

Then, two nights ago I got the same issue. My car was really low on gas (Said 0 miles left, gas light on) and I filled her up with some Shell 93. Started her up, went to Walmart, came back out about 10 minutes later and it wouldn't start.

I put the key in, all the lights came on no problem. Including everything in the dashboard, navigation, radio, also headlights, footwell LEDs, etc. Nothing seemed dim or anything. I turned the key, got ONE (exactly one) click and everything would shut off. Wtf? I turned everything off; radio, headlights, etc etc. and got the same thing.

Got out, tried remote start, same thing (except it tried to start multiple times) so I had multiple one-click dead everything experiences).

I asked a guy for a jump. Really good guy; it was raining hard and he stood out with me for about 10 minutes with his car hooked up to mine (running). I kept trying to start but got the same issue.

Told the dude I'd try it one more time and if it didn't start I'd let him go and not waste any more of his time. Sure enough, the bitch cranked right up powerfully and with no issue. No clicking, no difficulty starting whatsoever.


I read up on some threads and realized it could be a starter or starter solenoid. Not sure what the difference is or what the difference would be in testing it out...Car has been starting fine ever since.

 

Bump?

 

Uhhhh...

 

could be the starter.

 

are the cables in good shape? any corrosion?

 

The cables all looked good to me; no visible corrosion or anything like that.

I'm leaning more towards starter but I can't be sure. Its only 100 bucks -30$ coupon code at advance auto so it may be worth the risk.

 

Yeah, it could be a number of things, but diagnosing is going to be a pain because it's intermittent. You have the ignition switch, the starter cut relay, and the transmission range switch that all have to be working perfectly to send a 12V signal to the solenoid and get the starter to turn.

If the car doesn't start with the gear select in the P position, try it in the N position.

If it gets to the point where it doesn't start at all, you can disconnect the solenoid wire on the starter (the smallest wire that is pushed on and not held on by a nut). Then run a jumper from Batt + to the solenoid and see if that kicks the starter on. If so, then you know the problem is not on the starter but instead one of the other items I mentioned.

 

Thanks for the response!

I think I'll change out the starter because its an easy and inexpensive job. Peace of mind>70$

 

I was having similar problems recently with my 05 TL. There was an intermittent starter issue where the car would not start, all electrical worked, just a click when you turn the key then nothing. I do not have auto start. After reading numerous posts I found out how to test the starter using a test light probing the small wire from the ignition to the starter. I had my friend turn the key and observed the test light showing current at the starter which indicated the starter was not functioning properly. I replaced the starter wigh an oem from acura and have not had an issue since. Before replacing your starter clean your battery connections and posts, also check all your fuses.

Hope that helps, there are many threads about this that probably have better info than I have given, but typing on my phone takes forever. I have some pics of the replacement I can post when I get back in town.

Good luck!

 

i had the same problem and for me it was the starter.

 

Thanks guys!

 

If you havent already.... STARTER.

 

^^^^^+1

 

I seem to be having this same issue recently where it will just click sometimes then start right up the second or third time. These are the same exact symptoms I had on my Acura Legend when the ignition switch was going bad. I cant imagine a starter going bad at 60,000 miles, how many miles have you guys had on your starters?

My Acura legend is 17 years old with 230,000 miles on the original starter!!

 

I haven't had this happen again since I posted this, but I spoke with my mechanic and he said the starter is likely NOT the issue.

He said that typically, if the starter is bad, it may click but all the dash lights will not turn off, they should stay on

He said it likely is one or more of the power cables being corroded. I haven't messed with it yet.

 

im going thru the same issue now, just one click and would not start. i replaced with new battery and new starter, checked all fuses (all good), checked relay (under the hood,... good) checked all wired connections for corrosion, exposure, everything looks good..... im getting real frustrated and puzzled on what it can be?

 

I'm having a issue with my car auto starting with the viper alarm.

 

This thread is nearly two years old and you are going to need to provide morendetailsmif younaremlooking for help. "I'm having an issue......." doesn't provide much to work with.