Starting Problem *updated"

[Mxylplyx]

Climbed in the car this morning and went to start it up. Starter was making loud whirring sound, but making very few cranks of the engine. It finally managed to start the engine, at which point it idled fine with no codes being thrown. I shut it off and got out, and noticed an electrical smell. I can only assume the starter, or starter solenoid based on that. Do some starters have integrated solenoid switches that cannot be replaced, because I dont see solenoid's listed for my vehicle? Is there anything else I should be considering other than starter?

Thanks

Update:

Replaced starter this evening. Took about 2 hours. Starter and solenoid are all one assembly on my model. She started up fine afterwards. Working in the tight engine compartment of a FWD import sucks balls, especially when trying to work loose high torque bolts. I'm only bleeding from a few places though.

 

[CrackRabbit]

The electrical smell was likely the starter overheating. Sounds like the solenoid or the kicker motor is on its way out. Should get it replaced before it dies completely.

 

[CRXican]

whenever I hear people guess they have a starter issue it's really the battery

start with the easiest fix first

 

[Mxylplyx]

Battery is only few months old. Starter sounds a bit too strong when it's engaged to be battery.

 

[exdeath]

Sounds like a faulty starter solenoid/pinion mechanism (the big solenoid in the starter that drives the pinion plunger, not the little ignition one). Older systems have a separate high current ignition solenoid (wrongly called starter relay) that supplies power to the starter, in addition to the solenoid built into the starter that drives the pinion gear into the flywheel. Newer cars integrate both into the starter itself as one solenoid that is enabled by a low current ignition relay signal going directly to the starter, which acts as both the start solenoid and drive solenoid.

Could rebuild it but probably cheaper overall to just get a core exchange on a re manufactured starter.

A long shot, but worth checking the starter bolts to make sure it's on tight and not hanging out of the bellhousing.

Also a long shot, but could also be a stripped flywheel ring gear.

In the mean time when it's not starting, instead of holding the key, bump it a few times in succession and see if it helps.

 

[Mxylplyx]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Sounds like a faulty starter solenoid/pinion mechanism (the big solenoid in the starter that drives the pinion plunger, not the little ignition one). Most systems have a separate ignition solenoid (called starter relay) that supplies power to the starter, in addition to the solenoid built into the starter that drives the pinion gear into the flywheel. Though some integrate both into the starter itself as one solenoid that is enabled by a low current ignition signal going directly to the starter, which acts as both the starter relay and drive solenoid.

Could rebuild it but probably cheaper overall to just get a core exchange on a re manufactured starter.

A long shot, but worth checking the starter bolts to make sure it's on tight and not hanging out of the bellhousing.

Also a long shot, but could also be a stripped flywheel ring gear.

Thanks man. I'll definately start with the starter. The price after core exchange is only about $60, and appears to include a new solenoid, so I'll pick it up this evening and give it a shot.

Anyone ever replaced a starter on a 2001 accord v6? This will be the first work I've done under the hood of my Honda, or any FWD vehicle for that matter. Hopefully not too much is in the way. Only thing I've read is maybe a transmission cooler line. I've seen some Honda 4 cylinder models that require removing the intake manifold to get to it. Hopefully it doesnt come to that.

 

[exdeath]

If the starter is at the top of the transmission as is common with 4cyls, it may be covered by the plastic intake plumbing and air box that sits over the empty space above the transmission in a FWD setup. This is separate from the intake manifold and can be removed easily.

Though a V6 it's certain to be accessed from beneath the car.

Just remember to disconnect the battery before doing anything around a starter, unless you like welding wrenches to things

 

[Mxylplyx]

Originally posted by: exdeath
If the starter is at the top of the transmission as is common with 4cyls, it may be covered by the plastic intake plumbing and air box that sits over the empty space above the transmission in a FWD setup. This is separate from the intake manifold and can be removed easily.

Though a V6 it's certain to be accessed from beneath the car.

Just remember to disconnect the battery before doing anything around a starter, unless you like welding wrenches to things

I hear ya, that was definately step 1. A guide posted at autozone has you remove the battery completely from the car. I'm not sure if that means the starter is under the battery pan, or if they were being extra cautious.