Starter Issue

[Beachjeep]

I have a 2005 Pilot w/65000 miles about once a day when I go to start it It makes the sound like the starter is not lining up with the fly wheel then next try it starts right up. Anyone else have this problem?

[John G]

Check your battery connections. One or both are likely loose.

[whizmo]

If your battery (and connections) are Okay, it is probably the solenoid sticking that engages/disengages the starter motor from the engine. Don't think the solenoid is available separately, so you probably just have to replace the starter with a rebuild. It will probably get progressively worse, so you could live with it awhile until it gets to be a real problem.

But I'd start with the battery which is cheaper, simpler, and easier to replace. If the battery is older or at all suspect, I'd start all electrical repairs with a new battery. If the engine turns over a little less lively than it used to, that's a dead ringer for a battery going south.

- Mark

[cofetym]

I agree with both John G and Whizmo. Check the terminal clamps on the battery post.

When I did my most recent door mod I had to disconnect the battery.
When all was done I could not get a good tight fit on the battery post.

I would have never caught this, if not for doing the door mod and this could have
definitely lead to intermittent starting problems. Possibly even failure on the highway.
I used washers to fix the situation quickly but they also make battery shims that fit
over the posts.

Hope this is the problem your having.

[Beachjeep]

Thanks for the replys I will check the battery..

[rocky]

Originally Posted by Beachjeep

Thanks for the replys I will check the battery..

When you do, clean off any gunk from both sides of the terminal. Assume its a fairly new battery in good condition.

[hondacuraplanet]

Originally Posted by whizmo

If your battery (and connections) are Okay, it is probably the solenoid sticking that engages/disengages the starter motor from the engine. Don't think the solenoid is available separately, so you probably just have to replace the starter with a rebuild. It will probably get progressively worse, so you could live with it awhile until it gets to be a real problem.

But I'd start with the battery which is cheaper, simpler, and easier to replace. If the battery is older or at all suspect, I'd start all electrical repairs with a new battery. If the engine turns over a little less lively than it used to, that's a dead ringer for a battery going south.

- Mark

I could be wrong, but I don't think that the condition could occur with a bad battery connection. If that were true, the starter motor itself couldn't energize, which is the biggest drain. The solenoid is simply a field coil with a plunger, the plunger pulls in, and pushes the starter gear drive out to the flywheel, while at the same time making a direct contact with the starter's main power via large terminals within the solenoid body.

That said, the two most likely scenarios are worn teeth on the very edge of the solenoid, or a sticking solenoid. Depending on your skill level, and time available, you may be able to remove the starter and accurately diagnose the issue, I've done this several times and can walk you through it if interested. Or, simply replace the starter