Intermittent won't start
 

Our 2016 Fit sometimes will not start.
The key turns the dash lights but nothing. No clicks, buzzes, warnings, flashes, etc.
Batteries in the keys were replaced.
Not fixed.
Honda dealer tested, found no problem, but replaced the battery,
Still not fixed.
We looked at a lot of Youtubes.
Can't determine if it is the ignition switch, the gear sensor or what.
The D & P light up on the dash so I guess the gear sensor is working.
When it happens, sometimes working the shifter gets it to start.
When it starts it cranks right up.
Lots of info here on push to start models, but nothing on our key turn issue.
Any thoughts?
Thanks and regards,
Ray

Key Fob
 

Does the key icon on the instrument panel light up and blink when it doesn’t start? Any warning lights at all?

How many miles? It's more typical for the pushbutton start models to have the starter issue, but it's not unknown in the key start models.

My guess is that your starter is failing. It's a several hundred dollar replacement, so Honda doesn't want to admit that's the problem.

I'd agree. There have been ongoing random reports of starter motor failure. Do a search for the threads discussing this. The starter motor should be the most reliable part in any car, but in the Fit apparently it isn't.

Thanks for your feedback guys! I spent several hours on the car today and finally located the transmission range switch (under the air cleaner).
Also located the starter cut switch (on side left of the driver's knee).
Based on a diagram of a Civic range switch pinout, there are separate contacts in the switch for the instrument display "PNDLR" there are secondary contacts for the starter cut switch.
The cut switch prevents the starter from engaging if not in park or neutral. I think the problem lies in this area.
Could be the the switch, but it does it in both P and N, so that makes me think it could be anywhere between the range switch and the cut switch.
Chances are it is the range switch. I will get one in hand and change it out.
Regards, Ray

Turns out it was the starter. I had replaced the transmission range switch and the problem persisted.
With a re-manufactured starter from CarQuest there has been no problem for several days.

$126 was the best price I found.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...chTerm=starter

Removing the starter from the top as the manual shows doesn't work. First, the illustrations don't match at all.
Second, could not get the wiring junction out of the way.
I pulled it from the bottom.
The only problem was the orientation of the collar around the big connection. It was off a bit and the cable was not long enough to attach.
The collars are keyed to the starter and I ended up taking the starter out and swapping the collar from the old starter.
Regards, Ray

Thanks for reporting back. This is another data point for starter failure in key start models.

What I see happening regularly is this. A Fit owner has initial trouble starting the engine. It slowly gets worse, taken to a dealer for diagnosis, and then the fun starts. Is it the starter? Is it the pushbutton switch, or in this case, a gear sensor? Is it the battery? No one seems to know for sure, the dealer tests the starter and says it's OK, then replaces the battery. Doesn't help. Go figure.

Be prepared, folks. If your Fit is having trouble starting, it's most likely the starter or the pushbutton switch. Attempts to "fix" the problem by replacing other parts will likely dead end.

I guess I was “lucky” as when my starter began to go, I was still under warranty and the dealer diagnosed it correctly on the first try. Of course, at the time the starter was on national back order, so....

Those Honda Fit starters are so popular :(