Few months back Honda replaced push start button assembly. Suppose to be part of recall. After few months, Car doesn't start always. Some times i have to try 3-4 times. When it fails starting up, break pedal become too tight. Any one noticed this issue. Is it related to push start stop button which i can contact Honda for the fix? Wondering where do i start with this issue.

 

I've long believed that on the pushbutton start Fits, the circuit design is inadequate to buffer the load at startup. As a result, both the start switch and the starter are prone to premature failure. When one goes, it's often ascribed to the other. Honda has recently started goodwilling the start switch, but not the starter.

Since you've already had your start switch replaced, my guess is that your starter is failing.

 

The brake pedal becomes "tight" because it's losing stored vacuum. You will feel the brake pedal rise as it loses vacuum. This is normal. The feeling and height of the brake pedal will return to normal after the engine is started.

The car not starting when you press the start button is not normal.

 

Hi,
Thanks for the information. My course of action is to take it dealer and fix the starter right? Is there any use of contacting Honda America if they can cover it. How much does it cost to replace starter? Does it need to be done by Honda shop? Is it fine to replace at reliable outside stop?

Thanks

 

Thanks for explaining with brake pedal issue. I need to check with Honda regarding start button issue.

Thanks

 

bargainguy is right that it's probably the starter that's failing now. However it is possible that if Honda didn't change the design of their starter switch that your starter switch could be going again. Unlikely but possible.

 

The problem with the poor circuit design is that it leads to diagnosis roulette. Since the start switch has already been replaced, the obvious culprit now is the original starter, but there's no guarantee, and it costs time/$ to diagnose properly.

Last I remember, around $700 to have a dealer install a new starter. You could certainly have an independent shop do the work for perhaps a bit less, but there's still no guarantee. A poor circuit is a poor circuit no matter how many original parts are replaced.

 

I took it to Honda shop. Rep gave me $900 estimate for fixing starter. But he is not sure if it is a starter issue. Checked with Honda America customer service rep. They told me that, my car is qualified for start/stop switch replacement as a recall under warranty. But honda shop has replace it before based on their history. Looks like it is not reported to Honda. Honda shop service rep asked me to bring it to him tomorrow for tech personal to take a look at it. Do you think, it is better to fix starter with local shop? Or take it to another Honda shop see if they can replace stop/start switch again. When it failed to start, car shows start/stop switch error symbol on dash. This was the same symbol i used to have it continuously on earlier. Honda replaced start/stop switch to fix this. Does it mean, it is still a problem with start/stop switch.

Thanks

 

Symbols on the dash can be misleading - sometimes the car isn't sure where the problem is and in this case it could be the switch again or the starter.

If it's the switch warranty should cover it again. If it's the starter it's out of your wallet. Not sure why you're finding this to be a hard decision. If they replace the switch again and the problem re-occurs again then you will know it's the starter. Unfortunately both the switches and the starters have been a problem with posts showing up on both of these problems over the years. And unfortunately Honda has chosen to ignore the starter problem.

 

Honda shop replaced start stop switch. Then recommended replacing starter as well. They gave me estimate of $1005. There is no recall for starter switch. $1000 is a lot of money.

"Starter Replacement: just clicks at times, internal elect. failure. By harnessing the power of the battery, the starter motor powers the car’s engine to "turn over," or start when the driver turns the ignition switch. Reason : If not replaced, a malfunctioning starter will make an unusual noise when the vehicle is starting and eventually be incapable to cause the engine’s crankshaft to turn, which starts the engine running."

 

Spoke to Honda America rep. They opened a case. But they are not relating starter failure with Start stop issue. If technician determines, start failure is due to start stop issue, Honda agreed to fix it for free. Not sure if this is something can be proven or get a diagnosis from technician.

 

Received starter from amazon open box item. Looks good. Is this Re manufactured Honda part? If it works after fixing, i am good to go right?

 

And test report.

 

If the starter is the problem now, sure, but it's only buying you more time, not a better circuit.

You didn't mention how many miles are on your vehicle. If my assumption about circuit design is correct, you'll be looking at both a new starter and stop switch in however many miles you have now, and of course, neither will be covered under warranty.

I really wish Honda hadn't cheaped out on circuit design just to offer pushbutton start. This is most likely the result of cost-cutting in an effort to offer an entry-level vehicle into the Honda marque, and most likely the reason they abandoned the Fit for the US market - too expensive to manufacture and maintain, given the problem areas we know about now.

 

Thanks for the information. Honda shop replaced stop starter switch 2nd time. Recommended starter replacement. Honda is not acknowledging circuit design issue. They do not agree that stop start switch issue and starter issue are related. They are claiming that starter issue is normal mechanical wear and tear and nothing to do with Start stop switch/circuit.

Thanks