starter sounding weak - Honda Prelude Forum

Marfiahitman · 07-26-2009, 11:47 PM

okay i noticed today that my when i started my car the starter or w/e sounds weaker than usual, and everytime i turn it on it seems to sound weaker and weaker.
i know for a fact i need a new knock sensor, but idk if that has anything to do with it.
or maybe a bad starter or battery??
can anyone help me?

Rasmusm · 07-27-2009, 12:45 AM

Check up with the battery it might die soon, had same thing happening with my civic.. Battery died not long after

Marfiahitman · 07-27-2009, 12:59 AM

i didnt think it would be the battery cause i everything electronic works fine, but i didnt notice at night when i turn on the lights, the cruise button isnt always lit up

Rodmunch · 07-27-2009, 01:19 AM

The battery can still be bad. It takes alot of current to start the engine, but not alot to run the other electronics. When the engine is running everything is powered by the alternator not the battery. Get your battery checked.

G_Loc · 07-27-2009, 06:45 AM

Battery

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marfiahitman

i didnt think it would be the battery cause i everything electronic works fine, but i didnt notice at night when i turn on the lights, the cruise button isnt always lit up

Because when the car is on, the alternator is providing all the electricity

Marfiahitman · 07-27-2009, 10:19 AM

okay, i see. ill run to autozone and get it checked.
thanks for the help

thegamettt · 07-27-2009, 10:22 AM

this happened to me recently, but all my electrical components were fine. I ended up having to get a new starter.

Marfiahitman · 07-27-2009, 10:25 AM

ughhh, i just went to go start my car, and it doesnt even do anything now

thegamettt · 07-27-2009, 10:28 AM

does everything still light up?

Marfiahitman · 07-27-2009, 10:30 AM

yeah everything in the car still works, just when i turn the key, nothing happens

thegamettt · 07-27-2009, 10:41 AM

your starter is bad. take it out, take it to autozone to get it tested. If its bad, you could trade it in and get a new one for 70-80 or so. Or you could get someone to rebuild it for like 50 bucks?

Marfiahitman · 07-27-2009, 10:49 AM

o cool you can trade?
can you give me a link on how to take it out out or something?
i dont know how to

G_Loc · 07-27-2009, 11:09 AM

You really should get the battery checked out first or atleast try to jump start it before forking over money for a starter. If it won't crank when you try to jump start it, then its probably the starter.

EDIT: As stated, the starter draws more current than the other electronics in your car, so your radio might work, but your battery won't have enough cranking amps to turn the starter.

thegamettt · 07-27-2009, 11:10 AM

yeah, its a 40-50 core charge if you don't have a trade. I just recently did it in my 5th gen, takes about an hour or so. Are you mechanically inclined? I see you have a 4th gen, but I assume its in the same place. if you're looking in the hood from the front, it should be at the left of the motor towards the bottom. looks like this:

thegamettt · 07-27-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G_Loc

You really should get the battery checked out first or atleast try to jump start it before forking over money for a starter. If it won't crank when you try to jump start it, then its probably the starter.

EDIT: As stated, the starter draws more current than the other electronics in your car, so your radio might work, but your battery won't have enough cranking amps to turn the starter.

Yeah try this first.

Marfiahitman · 07-27-2009, 11:17 AM

okay, i just tried to jump start it, still the same thing..
but i have located the starter, its right under the distributor, under the the big radiator hose that goes all the way to the back of the engine.

im just 17, i know just a fair amount about it

Rodmunch · 07-27-2009, 12:48 PM

OK sounds like the starter gave out then.
Yeah, that's where it's located.

Rasmusm · 07-27-2009, 02:26 PM

cant you try another battery , just to be sure. Pretty sure its not the starter tbh but im not sure

Ofc all the electrics in the car would work fine, the generator will provide that electricity, but when it comes to start the car - battery has to be strong if not starter sounds bad/weak..

Kronn 98SH · 07-27-2009, 03:27 PM

What generator?

Marfia, do exactly this:

1. If you tried to jump-start the car with an electric jumper, try using another car. The electric jumpers don't always have the amps required for a completely dead battery.

2. Try another battery. Plain and simple. You must know at least 1 person who owns a car. Since you're 17, steal a parent's. If your last name is Menendez and you've already killed both your parents, steal your brother's. And so on. If it works, you know the problem. If it doesn't work, it's most likely the starter.

3. Push-start the car. It will get you where you need to go.

4. If the problem is the starter, you can try tapping it with a small hammer. Sometimes it gets hung. If that doesn't have any effect, take it to a starter/alternator shop and have it rebuilt. This should cost you about $50. That's a $hit-ton cheaper than new.

indylude18 · 07-27-2009, 05:28 PM

^x2