Coolant Leak followed by Starter Problems
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Joined: Nov 2022
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From: 30019
Coolant Leak followed by Starter Problems
I have a 2015 Honda Fit EX with about 90k miles. Yesterday the AC emitted a smell like nail polish, which I read could indicate a refrigerant or coolant leak. I found that the coolant reserve was basically empty, even though I had filled it to the max line about 6 months (~2000 miles) ago. I filled it to just the min line and ran the engine and AC for about 10 minutes. The smell was still there. I parked the car for the night.
Today the coolant reservoir was about empty again and the car struggled to turn over. The instrument panel also beeped a couple times when I started the car. I restarted it a couple times. No beep but same difficulty starting up. I filled the coolant reserve to the max and topped off the radiator too. Now the car won't turn over. The check engine and starter system lights are on. The battery is charged. With the car off I'm getting about 12V on an analogue multimeter.
I have no idea how or whether the coolant loss and starting issues are related. Any suggestions for diagnosing either problem are appreciated.
Today the coolant reservoir was about empty again and the car struggled to turn over. The instrument panel also beeped a couple times when I started the car. I restarted it a couple times. No beep but same difficulty starting up. I filled the coolant reserve to the max and topped off the radiator too. Now the car won't turn over. The check engine and starter system lights are on. The battery is charged. With the car off I'm getting about 12V on an analogue multimeter.
I have no idea how or whether the coolant loss and starting issues are related. Any suggestions for diagnosing either problem are appreciated.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,053
From: New Mexico
Welcome. If the check engine and starter system dash lights are on, that means an OBD-II code (at least one) has been generated. That's where I'd start. There's a port under the steering column where it plugs in.
These days, you can get a relatively inexpensive OBD-II attachment for your smartphone, or have someone else read it for you. Auto parts stores typically scan codes for free, but I realize you can't get it there if it doesn't start.
As far as the starting problem, pushbutton start Fits are notorious for having both the start switch and the starter undergo early failure, and often when one goes, it's ascribed to the other. I've often wondered if Honda, in the rush to add pushbutton start to their entry level model, rushed the circuit design, didn't buffer the electrical circuit fully at startup, and eventually it fails long before it's supposed to.
Honda has started goodwilling the start switch, but not the starter. Search this subforum for details.
These days, you can get a relatively inexpensive OBD-II attachment for your smartphone, or have someone else read it for you. Auto parts stores typically scan codes for free, but I realize you can't get it there if it doesn't start.
As far as the starting problem, pushbutton start Fits are notorious for having both the start switch and the starter undergo early failure, and often when one goes, it's ascribed to the other. I've often wondered if Honda, in the rush to add pushbutton start to their entry level model, rushed the circuit design, didn't buffer the electrical circuit fully at startup, and eventually it fails long before it's supposed to.
Honda has started goodwilling the start switch, but not the starter. Search this subforum for details.
Thread Starter
|
New Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
From: 30019
Welcome. If the check engine and starter system dash lights are on, that means an OBD-II code (at least one) has been generated. That's where I'd start. There's a port under the steering column where it plugs in.
These days, you can get a relatively inexpensive OBD-II attachment for your smartphone, or have someone else read it for you. Auto parts stores typically scan codes for free, but I realize you can't get it there if it doesn't start.
As far as the starting problem, pushbutton start Fits are notorious for having both the start switch and the starter undergo early failure, and often when one goes, it's ascribed to the other. I've often wondered if Honda, in the rush to add pushbutton start to their entry level model, rushed the circuit design, didn't buffer the electrical circuit fully at startup, and eventually it fails long before it's supposed to.
Honda has started goodwilling the start switch, but not the starter. Search this subforum for details.
These days, you can get a relatively inexpensive OBD-II attachment for your smartphone, or have someone else read it for you. Auto parts stores typically scan codes for free, but I realize you can't get it there if it doesn't start.
As far as the starting problem, pushbutton start Fits are notorious for having both the start switch and the starter undergo early failure, and often when one goes, it's ascribed to the other. I've often wondered if Honda, in the rush to add pushbutton start to their entry level model, rushed the circuit design, didn't buffer the electrical circuit fully at startup, and eventually it fails long before it's supposed to.
Honda has started goodwilling the start switch, but not the starter. Search this subforum for details.
About the coolant problem, I couldn't find any leaks, so I guess I'll just have to watch the reserve and see how it goes.
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milesperhoward
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