ugh, how i wish i had a car with a key... what was wrong with keys? were they really that cumbersome?

went to go out for lunch, and the fit didn't start. i spent 20 minutes fiddling with it, then finally it fired up. This happened a few weeks ago, and i figured it was a fluke. but, again it happened today. dash lights lit up, but with no start. clutch in, brake in, didnt matter, same deal.



within 36 hours of me purchasing my car, multiple dealers had my car 2 weeks and put 100 miles on it for a different issue. i get the feeling, that the dealer will not be able to "reproduce problem" or keep it for another few weeks regarding this. i am ready to trade her in on something else...

 

Damn rodney... I don't blame you! That really sucks. I'm sorry.

I think Page 1 of the Honda Manual says "Step 1: Verbally state that you cannot reproduce the problem."

 

Your floormat isn't caught underneath the clutch pedal is it?

 

<<<@!1!@>>>

no, mat is in it's proper position. car's dash would not light up like a christmas tree if the mat was dislodged...

 

Is the security light on? Are you in neutral? Try holding the button a little longer. Are the brake lights working?

Try pumping the brakes and clutch. Hold it in different positions. Might have a bad safety switch.

Try putting the key fob near the steering wheel and center console.

 

nuetral, yes. pumping the brakes and clutch? of course, hit them about 50 times when trying to start the car. yes, fob was on the column and in my right pocket, next to the console. damn, this thing is a POS...

 

Couple things:


1. I hear the ACC relay click, and the 2nd click is the pre-relay that activates the starter contactor relay to crank the engine. The electric motor sound is the steering wheel position lock mechanism "unlocking"
2. It could be a defective end of stroke (safety) switch on the clutch pedal
3. Pumping brakes has no effect on start procedures.
4.If there were any CAN-BUS issues it would be throwing an error code so I don't think its that.




My guess is leaning towards a defective safety switch, or there is a connector in that harness that is faulty and needs to be repaired. To me its a warranty repair for sure. Sometimes the simplest explanations work best.

 

this is gonna be a tough one. car works fine now. i restarted it 3x after it finally started. It did this about 2 weeks ago, same exact thing.

glad i got it on video...

 

Why not?

Clutch safety switch is what I was getting at. The mat and safety switch has nothing to do with the Christmas tree. I would hope it wouldn't be a faulty safety switch this early on, but since it was pretty intermittent the mat is the first thing to check. Also make sure there's nothing on the pedal anywhere or something stuck in the return spring or anything dumb like that.

 

it is not the mat, nor anything stupid like that. mat is in both clips, and it has not slid forward in any way. has to be a sensor. you can see the light "starter system" and the steering wheel exclamation and the check engine light etc clearly when trying to start the car.

if you want, i will put the mat on the roof next time to prove it...

i remember when i worked for a subaru dealer back int he early 90's that had a customer that complained the car would not start, and long story short, it was a floormat issue. mat was under the pedal, not allowing the old lady to push the pedal completely in. i am not an old lady...

 

Can you check any of those switches and associated connectors? Could be a bad connector or maybe its not pushed in all the way?

 

done. nothing found.

 

Bassguitarist1985,

The brake pedal does not need to depressed to start? Every push button start car I have been in does.

 

You mentioned the dealer might not be able to duplicate the issue, but can you show them the Video, so as to prove to them it does happen, so there is documentation for later and perhaps have them call Honda Corp ?

PS: Keep that video

 

sorry, i am not bassguitarist, but i have 2 push button start hondas currently (15' fit and 07 s2k). neither of them require the brake to be depressed to start the engine.

 

It's supposed to do that, that's part of the Christmas tree.

Well if it's none of those dumb things, replace the battery on the fob? It could still be an intermittent contact on the safety switch, which is annoying, since it will never ever happen at the dealership. Ever. Same thing with my locks, they will never, ever make noise if I take them in for warranty work lol

 

according to the manual (something i have gotten way to familiar with lately...) the car will display "low battery" if the fob needs a replacement. it has done it with both fobs, so it is doubtfull that i need batteries in both, especially without a warning from the car.

gotta be an wonky switch/relay.

 

My fault Rodney. Also @ mecevans:


To clarify, if you have a manual tranny the clutch is where the safety switch to crank the engine is located. No need to depress the brake on a manual to crank. While the brake does have a safety switch, it is normally used for cancelling out the cruise control.


On an automatic tranny the brake pedal has this safety switch which must be depressed in order to crank the engine.

 

@ rodney - Nothing really constructive to offer but my deepest sympathy.

So what's the status on your car now? Is the car still in service? Did you show the dealer the video you took?

I would if possible leave the car at the dealership until they fixed it. Tell them that you're afraid that you could be stranded and refuse to drive it until issue is corrected.

I hope the dealer didn't say "could not duplicate customer's issue" and just sent you on your way. I would be pissed........

 

just drove the car home from work. didn't contact the dealer yet. now i have a clunk when backing up that i have to investigate. could be a loose transmission mount or suspension component. once i figure that out, i will contact the dealer, since they had the front end apart and the transmission out once already.

i did that once already, and it is getting into the season where i need my car. i will put a little effort into it, and once i find the source, it will be easier when i get to the dealer to point out the failure and say 'fix that right there...".