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Starter problem

Tiny
HELEM09
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HONDA ELEMENT
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Had a rough start to my car early morning and went to work at 7:00 am. Went to car at 4:00 pm to start it but did not work. When turning key to ignition all lights flash on the dash and start flickering, eventually turning off. Live in hot weather. New battery.
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Friday, April 14th, 2017 AT 6:21 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
What does "rough start" mean? The symptoms you described could be attributed to a bad battery, but poor cable connections can do this too. Follow the smaller positive battery wire to the under-hood fuse box, and be sure that connection is clean and tight.
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Friday, April 14th, 2017 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
HELEM09
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hey thanks for replying! By rough start I meant I had to turn the key a few times to start. I will try to follow the wires as you said thanks!
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Friday, April 14th, 2017 AT 10:23 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Best, Ken
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Monday, April 17th, 2017 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
S_PHILLIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 HONDA ELEMENT
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 36,000 MILES
This AM my Honda Element would not start. There were no sign of any electrical items in the car working, including dome light. I was able to jump it and it started fine, and ran fine. After resetting the security code in the radio, I shut it off at work. When I immediately tried to restart it, nothing again. My dealer here is not very pleasant to deal with, and prefer not to have anything to do with them. Thanks.

Steve
Orlando, FL
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HONDA TECH 1818
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
It could be your battery is not holding charge, have your battery check out, or something is draining your battery.
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FMARSH2005EL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 2005 HONDA ELEMENT
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 206,000 MILES
Replaced battery. We heard buzzing when we started car. Replaced starter relay, it would not start. Replaced starter, it started, put into gear (R) shut off and will not start.
Tried security steps with key fob, would not start. Attempted "clear flood" accelerator was stuck on floor pulled pedal up and tried the step, would not start. Turns over will not crank. Pulled spark plugs cleaned them.
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hey FMARSH2005EL,

I have to ask since so many problem happened after the battery, did the terminals get crossed when installing the battery?

Best, Ken
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FMARSH2005EL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
No. Everything is installed properly. It started the one time, but when I put the car in gear (reverse) and move less than a few feet, it shut off.
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
So the engine does not start at all now right? I would check to see if your engine has compression does the engine sounds normal when cranking over?

Please let me know.

Best, Ken
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FMARSH2005EL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Somewhat. When I try to start it, it sounds as if it is going to. I smell gas when I stop. I just got new spark plugs to install.
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
While you are installing new spark plugs can you run a compression test.

Here is a guide to help you

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please let us know what happens so it will help others

Best, Ken
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FMARSH2005EL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I am not a mechanic so I don't have access to this equipment. The car won"t start so I can't it to get the compression test done.
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
An auto parts store will rent it to you for free or really cheap.

Let me know how it goes

Best, Ken
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FMARSH2005EL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Sure will. Thanks for the tip!
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FMARSH2005EL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Compression isn't the issue. Pretty sure it's either electrical or gas related. Also, gear shift won't shift from park to neutral without using shift release slot. Brake lights aren't working. The fuses appear to all be good. About to the end of my rope with the care. :-D
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hey FMARSH2005EL,

There is a power junction block and a tail light relay that could be causing the problem, here is a wiring diagram that should help you test for power along the circuit.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken

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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)

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