Honda Fit 2016 LX
Does anyone has starting problem with their fit?

It doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes it will take about 2-4 key turns before my engine starts. My mileage is around 70k. Isn't this too early for this kind of issue?

 

The pushbutton start models (EX) have all kinds of problems with starters and start switches failing early. The key start models (LX) don't seem to have the same issue. My LX has almost 100K, no starting issues.

I agree that 70K is early for a starter unless you're using it commercially.

Could be the starter, but you'll want to check all battery connections to make sure you're still getting a good ground.

Might want to consider upgrading to the 51R battery in case you're still running the stock 151R. The 51R is a drop-in (no tray sawing required) and provides more CCA than the 151R. Search this subforum for details.

 

I am not ubering or using my car for any heavy duty business related stuff. Just regular driving around town. I don't know what kind of battery I have. I just bought whatever battery the walmart staff said is an alternative to the original one that came with the car so I assume it is still the same kind of battery. I am confuse about what you mean by no tray sawing required because my research shows that it does required some modification to put in the 51R which is longer but at the same time I also found a youtube video showing that it fit without any modification - so IDK. I'll open the hood later and see if I can read anything off the battery.

Either way, I did run my current battery through Les Schwab (the guy also cleaned the battery terminal) and was informed the battery are in good condition so probably not that. At this point, IDK if I should take it to the dealership or a local auto shop. It doesn't happen too often - yet. Last 2 weeks, the time it happened total up to about 4 times. This week, 3 times. Yesterday was the worst scare. It turned on the fourth time I try though. I got home and turned on my car several times with 1 fail starting; probably not really smart of me. It worries me, if this could cause further damage to other parts.

 

Let me elaborate on it for you on the battery fitting:
1) Your 2016 Honda Fit is "Made in Japan" with a battery tray for the 51R battery. Unlike 2015 Honda Fit, where it is Made in Mexico and the tray is made for the 151R battery, and if you want to fit a 51R battery in, you need to cut off a section of the tray to fit the larger 51R battery for 2015 Honda Fit. Or for 2015, you order a tray that fits the 51R battery.

Take your car to AutoZone or O'Reilly Auto and ask them to help you test your starter. It should be free. Quite a few 2015/2016 Honda Fit experienced premature starter failure. And if you need the starter replaced, I would recommend taking it to a local/trusting auto shop. I don't think you want to know how much the dealer will quote you for replacing your starter.

 

Yea don't tell me the price the dealer could quote me. I might just faint over here. There is this one auto shop I have been going to. IDK how reliable they are but they did fix my washer fluid leaks this Monday. They are close by and have pretty good review on google. I guess, I'm visiting them again.

Thank you. I appreciate your help and your explanation about the battery.

 

**Update**
My current battery is the 151R. LOL - I saw the empty space. I'll ask for a 51R when I need to replace this battery and hopefully I won't sound like an idiot.

I have scheduled an inspection with a local auto shop I frequent. Their statement scares me. They said something along the line of that since the issue doesn't happen often or if it doesn't happen when they have the car, they might not find anything and wanted me to be aware inspection cause this much $. I still went ahead with the inspection but I don't know what to do if they come back saying everything looks fine.

 

Batteries and Tray sizes between the 2015 and 2016. Here are some pictures in comparing them
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/gene...ml#post1419179

And the beginning of the thread.... go through the thread, it should help and you won't sound like an idiot when you ask for the 51R battery.
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/gene...y-2016-ex.html

 

i MAY be ignition switch or starter related...MAY!!!!......if i was you (not diy guy) i would get the starter replaced..if it doesn't fix, then get ignition SWITCH replaced. you probably COULD do both those items yourself....the starter would be the easiest DIY . probably don't tackle ignition SWITCH yourself

 

**update**
The issue is happening at least once a day now. Often at night when I visit several different locations. I spend about an hour or two at each location. By the third location, I would have issue starting my car. Once the car starts, it will be fine for the rest of the night. Tonight, I had my door opened and heard a clank. IDK how to describe the sound. It sounded like I was shifting driving mode. However, my car didn't start. I kept the door open when I pulled my key out. What happened immediately was a beeping sound that wouldn't stop until I close my door. The second I opened it, the beeping came back. My car finally started on the 8th try right after the beeping occurred.

Replacing both sound expensive. I don't DIY. Can't do anything of that sort here in my apartment parking and I only have one car. Can't afford to mess up. I'm taking it to a local auto shop I visit before. I'm just anxious from what they said but I'm thinking that since the issue is happening more and more, they should find something. If they don't, that would be strange.

 

Could be the starter as it's a known issue with theses cars. I have paperwork showing a new starter at 43K miles on my '15. They went to an indy shop and paid $450 for a reman a few years ago.

 

Is your car a LX or EX? Did you replace with brand name or aftermarket?

 

EX. Previous owner had an Autozone reman intstalled at their indy shop.

 

I would say best bang for the buck, get a used oem starter and have your local shop replaced it for you, since you can't DIY.

Here is one, 16k miles off a totaled 2020 Fit LX. OEM used starter off eBay

So total cost should be around starter + tax + 1hr of the mechanic time.

 

Update: My local auto shop said it was the starter. From the invoice note, it seemed that my car act out when they had it. I guess it is a fortune. Not OEM part but got life time warranty on the part, Napa Premium Plus Starter.

However, I am so annoy as another issue pop up. Like seriously! Tsk. I thought it was the key fob's battery but nope. Sometimes headlight would flash lights, car can't be locked and alarm with key fob, car would unlock itself/at least driver side, and even if I was using the actual key to lock the car could and still sometimes unlock itself with the key fob within a close distance. I made a new thread for this issue.