Page 1 of 2

Car not starting - troubleshooting

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 7:23 am
by Anzezaf
So this morning i sat in my 5th gen to go to work and it wouldn't start.

When i turned the key, the starter motor didn't kick in, but all the electronics did shut down temporarily, like in a usual startup procedure.

I tried twice and didn't wake it up. After taking out the key, waiting a few seconds and putting in back again did the trick and i could drive off.

Sadly i cannot provide any more info, that's all there is to it

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 7:41 am
by newkid
Ignition switch. Common fault and was on a honda recall.

Can resolder or swap.

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:35 am
by Scott560
given that it eventually started - that rules out flat battery or corroded terminals or the like.

i bet ignition switch also - normally a main relay failure is a failure to prime the fuel pump (and everything else works).

I have an ignition switch removed from my old 5G i can send for a small fee (no such problem with starting on it in my 4 year ownership)

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 9:36 am
by Anzezaf
I'm gonna have to check once I get home, but I'm 90% sure the ignition lock was replaced a few years back, maybe that included the switch as well.

Anyway, I might try to solder the switch first. Is there any guide or writeup for this floating around?

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:11 pm
by Anzezaf
Looks like only the lock itself was replaced, not the switch.

Plus the problem is getting worse by the day.. Do we have any write up for this on here?
American forums are almost obsolete, no pictures showing anymore since they're mostly from early 2000s

From what I gather, I should just remove the cover plastic below the steering wheel, and I should already have access to it then?

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:52 am
by Scott560
i seem to recall it wasn't that hard to remove - by virtue of the fact i removed it from my old lude without much effort.

I can take some pictures of it with the top popped off, might help show if its repairable or not - save you removing it and possibly braking it in the process?

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:30 pm
by Anzezaf
Yup, it seems it really was the ignition switch. Removed, disassembled it and gave the contact points a good rub with sanding paper and it's working without a problem since 8-)

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:35 pm
by Drax
Most excellent 8-)

Re: Car not starting - troubleshooting

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:23 pm
by Scott560
Anything that has been sanded or similar is likely to have lost any special plating that such a contact would have had.

I use some 'switch lube' to prevent arcing or oxidisation that may occur after I've had to clean up any switch contacts.

I found it hard to find on eBay last time, then recalled some Tamiya remote control car speed controller grease which does the same thing. Like vaseline really... Used it after cleaning up the position/controller ring in my electric folding mirrors assembly.

Sent from my MIX using Tapatalk

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:30 pm
by Vtecmec
Dielectric grease.