Starter Circuit Troubleshooting

NOTE:
  • Air temperature must be between 15 and 38 °C (59 and 100 °F) during this procedure.
  • After this inspection, you must reset the engine control module (ECM), otherwise the ECM will continue to stop the injectors from functioning. Select ECM reset using the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS).
  • The battery must be in good condition and fully charged.

Recommended Procedure

  • Use a starter system tester.
  • Connect and operate the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Alternate Procedure


1.Hook up the following equipment:

  • Ammeter, 0-400 A
  • Voltmeter, 0-20 V (accurate within 0.1 V)

 

2.Connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC).

3.On the HDS, slect PGM-FI, INSPECTION, then ALL INJECTORS OFF.

4.Turn the ignition switch to START (III).

Did the starter crank the engine normally?


YES - The starting system is OK. Go to 12.


NO - Go to 5.


5.Check the battery condition. Check electrical connections at the battery, the negative battery cable to body, the engine ground cables, and the starter for looseness and corrosion. Then try cranking the engine again.

Did the starter crank the engine?


YES - Repairing the loose connection corrected the problem. The starting system is OK. Go to 12.


NO - Check the following:

  • If the starter will not crank the engine at all, go to 6.
  • If it cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to 9.
  • If it does not disengage from the flywheel ring gear when you release the key, replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following:
    • Solenoid plunger and switch malfunction
    • Dirty drive gear or damaged overrunning clutch

6.Remove the splash shield.

7.Make sure the transmission is in neutral, and set the parking brake. Disconnect the BLK/WHT wire from the starter solenoid S terminal. Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive terminal to the solenoid terminal.

 

Did the starter crank the engine?


YES - Go to 8.


NO - Remove the starter, and repair or replace as necessary.n


8.Check the following items in the order listed until you find the open circuit:

  • The BLK/WHT wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the ignition switch.
  • The BLK/WHT wire, and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the starter.
  • The ignition switch.

9.While cranking the engine, check the cranking voltage and the current draw.

Is the cranking voltage greater than or equal to 7.7 V and is the current draw less than or equal to 400 A?


YES - Go to 10.


NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following:

  • Drag in the starter armature
  • Shorted armature winding
  • Excessive drag in the engine

10.Check the engine speed while cranking the engine.

Is the engine speed above 100 rpm (min-1)?


YES - Go to 11.


NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following:

  • Open circuit in starter armature commutator segments
  • Excessively worn starter brushes
  • Open circuit in commutator brushes
  • Dirty or damaged helical splines or drive gear
  • Faulty drive gear clutch

11.Remove the starter, and inspect its drive gear and the flywheel ring gear for damage. Replace any damaged parts.

12.Select ECM reset to cancel the ALL INJECTORS OFF function on the HDS.