left stranded at the store. need helpp. - Honda Prelude Forum

ludestarbai · 05-31-2010, 01:21 PM

So basically the car wont start. I'm failrly sure the starter isn't getting signal. And the battery is OK as its pretty new and everything in the car works. The main relay is also OEM Honda new about one year old. Its behaving as if the clutch isn't pressed down or as if the alarm is interfering with it from starting.

Well the alarm was supposedly disabled by the previous owners I don't have.any remotes for it. I tried putting it in valet mode. But again its not hooked up right and looks 15 years old. So I got under the dash and ripped as much of the alarm out as I could see. And noticed that it wasn't indeed hooked up.

I also inspected the clutch switch the beat I could and it looks fine.

I also checked the starter fuse and it's good.

I'm waiting fo AAA. To get it towed home.

Any suggestions on what I should start looking at when I get home?

f22man87 · 05-31-2010, 01:31 PM

Is the engine even turning over at all? Any clicking coming from the starter when it "attempts" to start? Checked all the other fuses as well that could interfere with it?

Check the battery cable going to the starter and the connection on the starter itself...also the battery ground coming from the engine to the battery and to the chassis.

Also are you able to pop start it if you try with the clutch?

ludestarbai · 05-31-2010, 01:38 PM

No the motor isn't responding at.all. the dash lights up. Radio turns on. Turn the key and nothing no clicking no cranking nothing. I am almost positive it has something to do with the ignition because all the accessories work without a key even after the door is opened. Sunroof power windows radio all works with the key in my pocket. All cables seem in decent.shape and connections are fine.

indylude18 · 05-31-2010, 02:00 PM

It's your ignition switch.

ludestarbai · 05-31-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indylude18

It's your ignition switch.

I'm thinking its got to be the ignition itself... or some how the old alarm is interfering with it some how.

its wierd beacuse this car ahs been trouble laden ever since i picked it up, but if its one thing it does, is always fires right up no matter how long its been left sitting.

I take it around the block every other week a few times just to keep the juices flowing sinc ei dont have the $$ to really get it running right right now...

The s2000 is at my girlfriend's place, and the accord was up in the air with me doing some work on it and I didn't want to lower it back down just to go to autozone, so i said screw its just across the street, the prelude can make that just fine.

Get outta the store, and car wont start...

turn the all key and all kindsa **** lights up like it usually does... starter doesn't make a peep.

I've had bad starters before, had bad relays before, bad relay **** cranks but doesn't do anything starter will tick away but nothing battery has its tells as well but since everything electrical works fine, and the guys at autozone checked the battery for me, nothing was wrong with it... so i'm pretty sure I can eliminate all that.

ignition switch does make the most sense, anyone know how to check it?

indylude18 · 05-31-2010, 02:32 PM

If you can remove the key and electrical accessories like the radio and windows still work, your ignition switch if f-ed up.

Try to push start the car. If it turns over.....it's probably the switch. There is no way you can check it for sure while stranded in a parking lot w/o tools.

ludestarbai · 05-31-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indylude18

If you can remove the key and electrical accessories like the radio and windows still work, your ignition switch if f-ed up.

Try to push start the car. If it turns over.....it's probably the switch. There is no way you can check it for sure while stranded in a parking lot w/o tools.

Well

I got AAA to tow the car home, beacuse like you said I didn't have anything to test it with at the store.

My svc manuals are here at home and I guess I need to start figuring out what color wires do what to figure out how to test the ignition switch itself.

I just went out to the car and sure enough the sunroof and window buttons and everything work as though the key were in the car still and it definitely is not.

That being said I went to the store in the first place for a socket to help me do my oil and transmission fluid change on the Accord for my road trip to NY for next week which is what I now need to focus my attention on.

I'll get back out the ignition switch later I guess.

If it is in fact the switch that I've got to replace, anyone know how expensive they are? Also, would this mean I'd also end up with a different key to start the car than unlock/lock the door now?

Thanks for any/all help, also any tips on how to diagnose the ignition switch, any DIY's or anything you guys may have read...

I'll go nuts with google tonight and learn/figure out what I need to later on.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions either way!!!

indylude18 · 05-31-2010, 08:09 PM

Did you ever try to push start it?

I would imagine if you took the new switch to a dealer or a locksmith they could match it to your current key...be thankful you don't have to screw around with an immobilizer. I would be surprised if there wasn't a troubleshooting chart in the helm's to confirm it's the switch, but I have an 5th gen and thus I do not have a 4th gen manual....so you are on your own to find the guide. Do you have a Helms manual yet? If not, I can provide you with a link.

ludestarbai · 06-01-2010, 12:38 PM

I do have the two book helms manuals... so I will start there I guess.

And no didn't push start as I didn't have anyone to help me do so.

Matta1 · 06-01-2010, 05:05 PM

Was it an aftermarket alarm?
If so, it most likely had a immobilizer/ignition lock that would cut out the starter.
Since you removed the alarm, maybe you have a bad connection?
If the wires were cut to fit the alarm, you should just check all of them and be sure they're all connected properly.
If that's not it, you should change the ignition switch. And yes, you can change just the connections on the back of the switch, so you'll be able to use the same key.

ludestarbai · 06-02-2010, 10:32 AM

Yea it was an aftermarket alarm, Clifford Intelligaurd 200...

I dont know exactly how it was installed... i saw a bunch of cut wires when i looked down there the first time and then I started ripping out any wires I saw going to the alarm box.

Probably not a good idea but you dont think straight in 100+ degree sun and anxious to get home.

In any case since the car is safely in the drive way... the next day I get to actually work on the car I will start taking apart the dash to get a better look and then start inspecting things....

Does anyone know where to buy honda wiring harnesses for fairly cheap?

When I was helping my dad work on his Corvette, we were able to get brand new harnesses for what I thought was really cheap for what they were.

I'm not saying im going to replace them, but if they're cheap enough, I may consider it.

Anyone know of any sites or stores to get OEM or OEM quality honda wiring harnesses for non-dealership prices?

Kronis · 06-17-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludestarbai

Does anyone know where to buy honda wiring harnesses for fairly cheap?

Whoa whoa... Wiring harness? It's the ignition switch man. Ignition switch is an easy fix. I had no experience working on cars at all, and I did it in 3 hours or so...

G_Loc · 06-19-2010, 09:49 AM

Did you ever take a look at it?

Also think it might be the ignition switch. I had this problem with mine a long time ago. I believe the new switch was $40 or something. Easy fix. Think all you have to do is pop off the lower steering column cover, undo a few screws that hold the switch in place, then just disconnect the harness from where ever it is it goes. Since you had an aftermarket alarm, its probably hacked up