starter repair
 

In 2015 my wife bought anew Fit . I really was never thrilled with it and it has seen the dealer way too often for a new car. Just went out of warranty and the starter started acting up . I usually fix my own stuff but while the car was under warranty it went to the dealer. I build Hot Rods and Drag cars for fun so I am a pretty competent wrench. When i ask the Honda dealer about the starter he was reluctant to give a replacement price ,insisting I needed a $135 diagnostic fee .When a starter just clicks and the battery is charged almost always it is the solenoid ,Some call it a relay.the service advisor was not helpful at all ,insisting on a paid diagnosis.
Against my wifes wishes I took the car home ,found the wire that engages the solenoid on the bottom of the starter. Disconnected it, hooked up a test light and presto ,when the key is turned to start the wire is hot. Checked the battery connections next , they were clean and tight . I then removed the starter. Honda has some strong robots because the bolts were super tight . with the battery disconnected and the small solenoid wire loose I removed the starter.
When you do this be sure to mark the ends and the center with a paint stick or something ,you want to assemble them in the exact same place. The parts slip apart pretty easy . you will notice coming from the side on the case is a small copper washer about the size of a penny . It will be burnt severly . It contacts a small lightweight tab to make a connection and spin the starter.I am quite a distance from a dealer so I decided to clean these up . This is the same procedure we have used on GM starters for years. Carefully assemble ,make sure the brushes are in their proper place on the armature.I took sandpaper and carefully cleaned the burnt section on both the disc and the tab it hits on.Put it together and it has worked flawless for a couple of weeks.When I get around a dealer I will try to buy the parts for it ,and be ready to change them out next time. I will post when I am able to purchase them. Look, this isn;t brain surgery ,any one fairly mechanical can do this. after all if it doesn't work all your out is some time. This is VERY LITEWEIGHT parts that Honda has used in this starter. There will be problem s as long as these parts are used. Best of luck