Why Does The Honda Accord Make Noise When Starting?
The Honda Accord is a vehicle known for its reliability, numerous safety features, and impressive fuel economy. But despite that, many users face a common problem of unpleasant noise when starting the engine.
Usually, this unpleasant grinding or squeaking noise is down to electrical malfunctions such as a weak battery, corroded battery terminals, or weak ground connections. In some cases, other factors such as a poor flywheel or starter solenoid are at the root of the problem.
When your Honda Accord makes a loud noise when starting, it indicates some serious issues with one of the vehicle’s key components, so it is important that you are aware of the problem and its causes to avoid any future complications.
Why is the Honda Accord Starter Making Noise?
If the Honda Accord starter makes grinding or clicking noises when you start them, usually it is due to battery-related issues or poor electrical connections.
Here are 5 of the most common causes of Honda Accord starters making unhealthy noises.
- The weak state of the battery
- Poor battery wiring
- Bad flywheel
- Defective starter solenoid
- Poor ground connection
How To Fix Honda Accord Starter Making Noise?
Different problems require different solutions. If one of the parts has been corroded, then the solution is to simply clean off the corrosion using sandpaper.
Other than that, most of the solutions would probably involve parts replacement.
1. Weak State Of Battery: Replace Battery
If the Honda Accord starter is making a clicking sound but not starting, this means that the solenoid has sufficient charge but the starter does not have enough power.
You might also notice that dashboards start flickering. You can check the battery by using a multimeter. If the battery shows at least 12.6 volts at full charge, then the battery is healthy.
You may also do a voltage drop test. If the voltage drops below 10 volts when you start the engine, then this indicates that the battery is damaged.
If the battery is damaged, you have to get a replacement. Follow these steps to get it replaced.
- Check on either side of the frame and you will find the battery there.
- Disconnect the negative terminal first.
- Now disconnect the positive terminal.
- Take out the battery. Make sure the new battery fits the size and matches the other features of the old one. Then put the new one in.
- Use a wrench to shut the clamps tight.
- Check if all electronic components are working as expected to ensure the battery has integrated well.
Honda Accord batteries cost between $190 and $200.
2. Corroded Battery Terminals: Remove the corrosion
Another likely cause of the Honda Accord’s starter noise problem is corrosion in the battery terminals. Check if there are any white or silvery-green deposits on the terminals.
If there is, then you know that the terminals are corroded. To deal with this issue, you have to clean the terminals.
A simple solution would be to pour hot water on the corroded terminals while making sure that the water does not touch both terminals at the same time. For a more complete solution, follow these steps.
1. Remove Terminal Cables
Start with the negative terminal and then remove the positive one. You can use a wrench but a plier will also do.
Make sure not to touch both tools simultaneously with your metallic tools. Once the terminals have been removed, you can then take out the battery.
2. Clean The Corroded Terminals
Use sandpaper to clean the corrosion on the terminal. Make sure to get every inch of the terminal cleaning. Also, take care that there is no moisture on the terminal.
3. Put The Battery Back In
Once the cleaning is complete, put the battery back in and recouple the terminals in the reverse order of disconnecting them i.e. reconnect the positive terminal followed by the negative. The only cost with this is sandpaper which costs less than $1.
3. Poor Flywheel: Replace the Flywheel
The most common sign of a poor flywheel on the Honda Accord is unhealthy noises coming from the engine when it is left idle.
Other signs are gear slippage, gear shifting difficulty, difficulty starting the engine, etc.
If you have a poor flywheel, then you need to replace it. The following steps illustrate how.
- Step 1: Pull out the Drive Shaft
Remove the bolts connecting the differential to the shaft using a wrench or a plier and then slowly drag it out. Place a bowl below to catch any leaking fluid.
- Step 2: Disconnect the remaining Components
Next decouple the remaining components- the shift linkage line, the transmission cooler lines, and the speedometer cable. Again use a wrench for this.
- Step 3: Disconnect the Transmission
Remove the bolts connecting the transmission to the engine block. Do the same for the ones keeping the torque converter connected to the flywheel.
- Step 4: Replace the Flywheel
Remove the bolts keeping the flywheel connected to the crankshaft. Then drag it out. Make sure the new flywheel is of matching size and put it in the old one’s place.
- Step 5: Do the reverse of the first 3 steps
Do the reverse of the first 3 steps i.e. reconnecting the transmission and the other components followed by reinstalling the drive shaft. Then start the engine to test out the new flywheel.
A new flywheel will cost you between $40 and $400
4. Poor Starter Solenoid: Replace Starter Solenoid
In many cases, you will find that there is a slight clicking noise as you engage the ignition on the Honda Accord but the vehicle does not start. In some cases, there will be repeated clicking noises.
Another common symptom is that the vehicle may start when you engage the ignition but not consistently.
If your solenoid is in poor condition, then you have no choice but to get it replaced. The following steps will help you with that.
- Step 1: Ensure no electrical connections are present by unplugging the battery.
- Step 2: Buy a new solenoid that fits the size and specifications of your Honda Accord vehicle.
- Step 3: Decouple the cables connecting to the solenoid and the starter.
- Step 4: Remove the bolts from the starter.
- Step 5: Remove the old solenoid and make sure to preserve the spring.
- Step 6: Install the new solenoid in place.
- Step 7: Reconnect the cables that you detached earlier.
- Step 8: Now reinstall the battery cables and crank the engine. Connect the battery cables and crank the car.
A new solenoid will cost you between $50 and $400.
5. Bad Ground Connections: Add ground connections
You can detect whether there is a problem with the ground connection of the Honda Accord by connecting a multimeter between the engine and the negative terminal and putting the setting to ohms.
If the reading does not show 0 ohms, then the ground connection is faulty. Following are some of the solutions you can implement for this issue.
- Tighten Loose Contacts
Use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten any loose contacts such as screws, nuts, bolts, etc. If necessary, replace them.
- Clean Rusty Contacts And Connections
Check for any bit of rust on the connections. To clean the connections, you can use sandpaper or contact spray.
- Replace Damaged Cables, Straps, Or Wiring
Check for damaged straps, cables, or wiring. If you find significant damages or tears, take immediate action to replace them. Otherwise, the problem will get much worse in the future.
- Adding Additional Ground Connections
If none of the above steps resulted in an improvement of the ground connections, then you can simply add extra ground connections.
The connection is most usually installed between the body of the vehicle and the engine. This reduces the probability of a faulty connection and the time needed to locate the fault.
Is It Safe To Drive Your Honda Accord With Starter Making Noise?
No it is not safe to drive a honda accord with a starter making noise. If the starter is making unusual noise on your Accord, then there is some form of malfunction within the vehicle and it is not safe to drive.
To provide an example, one of the causes of the Honda Accord’s starter making unusual noises is a faulty solenoid, which can cause the vehicle to go into “limp mode”, which makes it difficult to control the speed and power of the vehicle.
This may result in accidents in the middle of a drive.
Could the Noise When Starting My Honda Accord be Causing it to Not Start in Hot Weather?
Could the noise when starting my Honda Accord be causing it to not start in hot weather? If you’re facing this issue, it’s important to troubleshoot hot weather honda accord starting problems. The noise itself might not directly cause the starting issue, but it could indicate an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Check for any loose connections, faulty starter motor, or battery issues to ensure your Accord starts smoothly in hot weather.
FAQs
After reading the main section, you may have several questions knocking in your mind. Let’s see some of the possible solutions of those questions-
How Do I Know If My Honda Accord Starter Solenoid Is Bad?
You will notice several symptoms if your starter becomes terrible. Common symptoms include the engine not turning over, a clicking or grinding noise when you turn on the ignition, the motor not starting despite the motor engaging etc.
Why Is My Honda Accord So Loud When I Start It?
If the Honda accord is making loud noise whenever you start it, it is likely due to a weak exhaust system. There might be holes, clogs or other damages when you inspect the system.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Starter In A Honda Accord?
The cost of getting your Honda Accord starter replaced is between $450 and $800.
How Long Does A Starter Last On A Honda Accord?
In terms of mileage, the Honda Accord starter gives you between 100000 and 150000 miles. Usually, the starter will last as long as the vehicle itself.
Conclusion
All of the causes of starter noise discussed in this article on the Honda Accord originate from a failing starter or failure in connected parts such as solenoid, flywheel or ground connection.
Regular maintenance would keep these issues from occurring, but sometimes these occurrences are inevitable, especially if the starter or related parts get old or corroded.
When replacing the parts, make sure that you ensure that they are always of the right fit and size. Also, take safety precautions when working on electrical maintenance by disconnecting both terminals.
