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My kid has had an 05 civic for 1 month with auto tranny. Just once it would only click, click click then he tossed it in neutral and pushed it turned the key and it started. What might be the problem? Also the passenger airbag lite will flicker, no carfax report of an accident. Thanks for all the help ahead of time.
Warm

 
Rep Power: 518

Kinda hard to diagnose it and be certain unless it screws up long enough to diagnose it correctly.

I'll SWAG starter...... solenoid contacts.

I don't even wanna guess at that one. How long is a flicker?

 
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I never knew pushing a car with an auto could get the car to start, just thought you could do this with a manual. The flicker I get the feeling is very random.

As easy as the starter is to replace you can get a used one shipped to your door for 35 bucks from a bone yard. Do the starters typically have a long life or not? Thanks so much, Warm

 
Rep Power: 518

You can't, and your kid did not push start it.

The auto transmissions you could push start had what they called a "rear pump". Think 1960s and earlier. A kid I work with has a 65 Valiant with this type of trans.

Correct.
When the light does flicker, how long does the light stay on? 0.14 seconds? 5 seconds at a time?
Which light is it?

Hit and miss, IMO. Some do, some don't.

I wonder if you can find just a new solenoid for your starter?

 
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So pushing it and turning the ignition just jostled the starter enough to make contact and turn? Is this ever just a fluke episode or is it on the way out? Thanks again. I will look into the solenoid

 
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Otherwise so far the car has been good, he does alot of HWy driving, actually we all do here in rural wisco and he is getting 35 mpg's thing uses no oil.

 
Rep Power: 518

No, the starter did not turn by doing that. I'm sure that if he had instead just twisted the key a couple more times it would have done exactly the same thing (started)-- without shifting to neutral or pushing the car.
The usual cause of the starter going "clunk, clunk, clunk....*sigh*...clunk....crankcrankcrankcrank" is pitting of the solenoid contacts. The contacts are used like a high amperage switch to operate the motor portion of the starter assembly.

Yes, it's on its way. It will probably work fine for a while, then do it a few more times very randomly before becoming a big problem.

This is one of those things where tapping on the starter can usually get it going - one more time.
It was just a thought. IDK if it would be any cheaper or more or less reliable, or if it is even easily available separately.

 
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Complete I see the Denso most expensive 150and the dealer Mitsu or something 330 bucks I see some for 80 bucks

 
Rep Power: 518

In my dealer catalog, the auto trans takes the Mitsuba starter.
Manual and CVT trans take the Denso.


Got a local rebuilder? Check your yellow pages. I found this one right away

http://www.fondyautoelectric.com/webpages/starter.html

 
Rep Power: 518

Also found 212 plus shipping for a Honda reman through online dealer http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...VIN+Number+---

 
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thanks, the Prospect Fondy shop is a mile from home, will keep ya updated.