I posted that a Start button I bought ($46) in a Honda box was actually from China. I began the Return process. Continuing to look, I found an "OEM" button, also in a Honda box. Pictures showed it to be identical to the original one from my car. I ordered it ($62). The seller wanted the VIN to make sure it was the right one. When I got the tracking info, I saw that it was coming from China. It won't be here for almost two weeks.

If it is another generic button, I'll return it ($62) and keep the one for $46. I bet this one is going to be identical to the first generic I received. My cleaned, original button is working fine, and that "Key" warning light in the upper left is turned off. I might break off the plastic snap clips on the side of the original button before putting everything back together. If I have to remove it again, I can just pull it out. Otherwise, I would have to spend an hour taking everything apart so I could reach inside and release those two plastic snaps.

I mentioned before that cutting the straps holding the bundles of wires together makes it easy to pull out enough wire to make connecting and disconnecting very easy.

 

I guess the questions I would ask are:
1) Is there an inherent problem with a part from China? Was the first Start button you received bad or very different from the one you removed from the car?
2) If the button you received closely matched the one you pulled from your car, and if the second "OEM" button also seems to be coming from China, any chance that the original Honda part was produced in China?

 

1) Both of these were presented as being genuine Honda parts without actually using those words - the Honda boxes and OEM, for example. The appearance of the face of the one I received is different from Honda's. That would be a constant reminder that I bought a cheap imitation. I'm not impressed by the quality of generic Chinese electronics. It's one thing if Honda set up production in China, but it's quite another if someone analyzed the Honda part and made his own.
2) I'm positive that the one I'm going to receive will be identical to the Chinese button I already have. The original has "Made in Mexico" printed on the back, and it looks different. The eBay picture of the one I'm waiting for has "Honda" embedded in the plastic body, just like the original. I guarantee the one I receive will not have that. Original on the left, below.

 

Ebay is littered with a massive amount of fake car parts from China, this is nothing new. Honda J series engines have been blowing up from fake timing belt kits on Ebay for decades, just hit odyclub.com to find the posts. When the price is too good to be true, it is. You should only buy OEM parts from your local dealer or a dealer that has an online website. I buy all parts for Fit from hondapartsnow.com . The only aftermarket parts I use are brakes.

 

Underrated statement of the year.

 

How about going to your local Honda Dealer and have your start button fixed the right way with the right parts.

Since I had my start button replaced by my local Honda for Free in 2020, I've never had an issue or problem.

My car starts on the first push.

Turns off on the first push.

I never had to push my start button twice starting and turning off my Fit since the Free Fix.

 

The original switch is working fine after I cleaned it. Will it continue for another 100,000? Getting to it is no fun at all. I just can't bring myself to pay Honda $204.01, though. I usually by Honda parts from online Honda dealers. They have the button for around $130, but with substantial shipping charges.

 

That's when you buy parts online and at the same time, you buy something else to make that shipping cost worth it. Either that or you buy parts from your closest local Honda dealer. But why don't you call your dealer, give them your VIN, and see if that start button is covered for free? I got mine replaced for free at my dealer.

 

Finally,

Someone that thinks the way I do.

 

Remember a week ago when the OP told you that he already tried this and determined the repair is no longer free, at least not for a 10+ year old Fit?

 

Go to your local Honda Dealer. Pay to get the start button fixed the right way with the right parts the first time.

Buying Chinese imitation parts on Ebay to save money isn't the way to go.