My 3rd Gen GK manual transmission suddenly wouldn’t start. I haven’t had any indication of a bad starter or battery before, so it was frustrating to be immediately immobilized. Turns out that the Starter System light AND the VSA (traction control) lights lit up because plastic pieces in the brake and clutch broke. The broken plastic confused the sensors attached to the clutch and brake and the vehicle simply refused to crank the engine.

Attached are images of the broken (disintegrated) piece and the newly installed plastic. Essentially, the plastic pieces acted as a contact patch for the sensors - since the plastic disintegrated, the sensor had nothing to measure against and the vehicle decided to prevent the engine ignition.



This is one of the disintegrated plastic grommet piece

This is the newly replaced plastic grommet

Starter System warning light and check engine light

Starter System warning light and VSA (traction control) light


Having this issue diagnosed by the local repair shop and the official Honda repair shop cost more than I wish to disclose.

There was nothing bad with the battery or the actual starter. The plastic looks like Delrin - it’s hard to tell.

 

sorry if bumping this post is against rules but i think it should be highlighted.. i wish i found this post on monday of this week... many posts highlight starter and starter button issues (which i assumed was my issue as well) but it was this little plastic pieces an $11 part that a dealer will charge 2 tech hours to install...

 

Sorry to hear you went through my pain as well, datkidpatrick. I made this post because of all the other starter issues didn't relate. Since this problem seems 'electrical' some garages aren't able to diagnose it properly, causing more $$ to be spent on such a cheap fix.

Some people have started selling their own replacement parts. The official part number is 46505-SA5-000.

Make sure that you replace the clutch AND brake! If one goes out, surely the other will soon follow. maybe keep a roll of electrical tape around, just in case one brakes off again?

 

thank you for this... ya when honda told me the part and i seen the bill i was astounded... i was in denial that the part would cause a light on the dash so when i saw it i dismissed it... never again, thanks again!

 

Would OP advise keeping these on-hand as a "just in case" part?
Also, how difficult was it to replace these plastic pieces?
I don't think these have ever been replaced on my 2016

 

nor on my 2015

 

Keeping some around should be useful, but keep in mind that they degrade within a few years. Depending on there material they're made of, you would have to keep them out of heat & sunlight.

A roll of electrical tape would help you fix the issue, in a pinch. Just wrap around the metal where the plastic super was.

It should be super simple to replace/reinstall. Just stick your head down in the foot well and look for the plunger-sensor (image in original post). If you still have an old stopper, destroy it by clipping the back. The new stopper pops into the hole where the plunger is poking through. Keep in mind that there is a sensor on both the brake and clutch (in manual models).