This morning I had a jerk of a time starting my 2009 fit. It was whirring but not making any clicks or mechanical noises/exhaust noises. This is out of the blue but I had something similar happen a year or so ago. I finally got it started and it ran fine no indications of power issues though I've been having this weird issue where the interior light doesn't come one when the door is open (the switch is on door). My research indicates it is likely a bad solenoid? Does that sound right and where is the solenoid located?

 

You are talking about the starter solenoid. (Usually only available on complete rebuilt starters)

Yes, that is a typical symptom when the solenoid fails to pull the gear into contact.

IDK if the modern Honda starters can be lubricated as in the old days of Bendix gears but I doubt it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bendix_drive

 

I've been googling all day. It appears that replacing the plunger and contacts inside the solenoid usually fixes the problem as those are the typical failure points. However, I haven't find too many good articles on how to access the Fit starter except for a couple that sound like it is a very frustrating job especially the top mounting bolt.

 

It started fine yesterday evening and this morning. It seems every once in a blue moon the stater acts up probably the plunger in the solenoid or something.

 

It has been a couple months and the problem has not recurred so I am not sure what to do about it. It might be nice to do the $30 denso contact/plunger replacement.