96 honda passport starting up

[cj9113]

My Honda all of the sudden is giving me a hard time starting. I put the key in and turn and nothing, then i do it again and nothing, then the third time it starts. Could it be the starter going or a short some where? My battery terminals are ok, I checked them, and the battery is only yr old.

[discretesignals]

I don't think it would be a short.  One trick to see if you have an intermittent starter motor problem is to tap on the starter while someone holds the key in the start position when it doesn't want to crank.  If the motor takes off after tapping on it, more than likely something is worn out in the starter assembly.

[jrogers297]

How hard do you tap the starter?

[discretesignals]

Trying to come up with an example.  Not too hard that your trying to beat the thing off the side of the engine, but hard enough like your lightly knocking on someone's door.

[cj9113]

I have not taped on the starter cause I dont know where the start is or what it looks like. I am just thinking that it is the starter cause it make a clicking noise and then ofter 3 clicks it starts.

[jrogers297]

I did tap starter while trying to start car and no engine turnover or any noise, same as noted in earlier post. The one thing that was noted at this point was the dash light started in "p" when key is turned to on, "3" lights up when key is turned to start, when key is turned back to on "R" lights up then the dash light flashes between "R" and "3" with each key turn from start to on. Could my problem be with the ignition switch, and if so how to test? Any other ideas? Thanks!

[discretesignals]

There is a small wire that attaches to the starter motor solenoid.  Unplug the small wire from the starter and use a 12 volt test light or volt meter to check for battery voltage at the end of the wire when someone turns the ignition to start several times with the shifter in the neutral and park positions.  You shouldn't see any voltage in any other gear position other than neutral and park.  Let us know what you find out.

[jrogers297]

I had to unbolt to get to wires. The voltage measured .3 in both P and N, no voltage in any other gear. I am not an expert with volt meter but I measured with the volt meter set on 20, and i connected the two leads to the wires coming to the starter/solenoid not the wire from the solenoid to starter. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[discretesignals]

The red lead goes on the small wire terminal at the starter.  The black lead goes on the negative terminal of the battery post.  Meter set for 20 Volts DC.

[jrogers297]

I tested the volts as you described and the reading was 12.5 volts in P and N. I didn't notice the dashboard lights jumping around as they did before. I noticed alot of gunk in the female spade connector when I first disconnected, I cleaned it out very well before testing. I figured I was going to have to take the starter out to be tested and the only way I could get it out is to take the solenoid and starter apart. Before I put it back together do you have any suggestions to ensure it is reassembled properly? I noticed that the black rubber nipple like thing was pulled off the solenoid, will this be a problem?

[jrogers297]

I tested the starter and it is working. Do you have another suggestion?

[discretesignals]

Take your volt meter and put it on the battery posts.  Red on positive and black on negative.   Set your meter on 20 VDC and record the battery voltage.  Then have someone attempt to crank the engine, with the starter wires plugged in, while you watch the meter.  What does the voltage go to?

[jrogers297]

The voltage was 12.4 prior to turning the key and dropped to 11.4, and there was a large spark below the battery, the car didn't start. I could not see exactly where the origin of the spark was but it didn't come from the battery directly. While I was connecting the negative battery cable there was a very small spark, barely visible. The issues with the dashboard lights I mentioned earlier in this post was still present. What should I check out now?

[discretesignals]

Are all your cable connections tight on both ends?  Make sure that your positive battery cable connection is tight down at the starter.  Make sure that your ground cables have clean and tight connections.  Sparks usually mean you have a poor connection.

[jrogers297]

I checked all the connections on the starter and the battery and found a loose ground. I tried to start the car again and there was no spark and no start. The dashboard light was on (3) even though it was in park, the lights didn't jump around when key was turned but I tried shifting and the lights didn't match with the position of the shifter.