• 2015 LX CVT w/ 60k miles
• Replaced battery 4.5 years ago at the dealer
• On first key turn, electrical all comes on fine but engine doesn't start. No clicking or other discernable noise.
• Starts without hesitation on second key turn.
• Problem began within the last couple of months.
• Problem occurs 3-4 times a week at most and only later in the day (not first crank in the morning).
• Any suggestions about a possible cause? I didn't have a problem like this when my first battery failed, and other discussions about starting problems here have led me to worry that the starter itself might be the culprit.

 

You say you had the battery replaced at the dealer 4-1/2 yr ago. I'll bet the dealer gave you the standard 151R instead of the 51R that many of us here prefer, myself included - I did my "upgrade" a couple years ago.

I think your 151R is on its last legs. You could verify by load-testing it.

This would be an excellent opportunity to upgrade to the 151R. More cold cranking amps and reserve, and doesn't need major modification to fit in the existing tray.

 

Sounds like you may have the same starting problem like the push button start.

There's a free Dealer fix for this starting problem. I would go to your local Honda Dealer to figure out what the problem is. Your local Honda Dealer might fix this problem for free.

 

Starter is a known fail on these cars. The previous owner of my '15 had it replaced at only 43,000 miles. Then, shortly after 57,000 miles which is when I acquired it, the push button flaked out which is the free service. On the other hand that's a long service time for the tiny battery.

 

Um, folks, the OP's LX is a key start model, not a pushbutton start model. The problems associated with the start switch and starter don't apply here.

 

I appreciate the suggestions. I had the battery tested on Wednesday. It tested fine, but, given its age and the fact that my previous battery tested fine even when it was failing, I went ahead and replaced it. Unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem. That does narrow the possibilities a bit, though.

 

If the solenoid on the starter is failing, that would explain why you get dash lights with the first key turn - electricity running through the system as it should - but the engine doesn't turn over. Sounds like the solenoid isn't catching until the second key turn.

The reason I didn't suspect starter failure initially is that it's almost unheard of under 100K in the key start models. Pushbutton start models, different story, they are failing constantly along with the start switches. This assumes, of course, that you're not using your Fit as a delivery or commercial vehicle, with dozens of starts and stops per day on a regular basis.

I think your next step is to have the starter solenoid tested and/or replaced.

 

I finally took my car in to a local shop that I trust, and they just called to confirm it was the starter. Apparently starters for this car are pricey compared to others ($340 for the part alone). The shop owner was genuinely shocked that it was so expensive.