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I have a 2009 Honda Civic LX with about 222,000 miles. When the engine is cold, it typically takes holding the key in the start position for 10 to 15 seconds before the starter motor engages to start the engine. The instant that the starter motor engages, the car starts and runs fine. I can typically restart the car normally, after it has been started and turned off for short periods of time. However, after the engine cools down, then the same delayed starter engagement problem occurs when starting. At first, this problem was more intermittent, and now this starter delay happens almost all the time when the engine is cold. There are no failure codes stored in the Engine Control Module (ECM).

Starting sequence is like this (when the engine is cold): I turn the key to "on" and the radio and everything else come on just like normal. Plenty of power available from the battery. I turn the key to the start position, and I have to hold the key in the start position for typically about 10 to 15 seconds (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less) before the starter motor engages to start the engine, at which time the engine instantly starts. Literally just turn the key and count to about ten before anything else happens (except normal starting lights/chimes that light up on dash). Absolute dead silence from the vehicle (no clicking, no other noises not even fuel pump repressurizing) until after a delay (normally about 10 seconds) at which time the starter motor engages and the engine instantly starts at which time I release the key (from "START" position to its "ON" position) and all functions normally. Note: I have also tried other starting sequences where I leave the key in the "ON" position for a while, before turning to "START" -- with the theory being maybe the fuel pump needs to build up pressure before the starter will engage. This did not make any difference.

When the engine is warm, the car typically starts normally (minimal delay between turning the key to start, the starter engaging, and the engine instantly starts).

I figured that this problem was likely the starter solenoid (since it seemed to happen more when cold than when engine was warm), possibly the starter motor, the starter relay, ignition switch, or bad electrical connections. However, I have done all of the following incrementally over the past 6 months, trying to fix the problem, and after every incremental step, the same starter delay problem persists.

1) Checked key immobilizer: OK as green key symbol on dash display goes off
2) Checked & cleaned all battery connections, checked and cleaned negative connections to vehicle body and engine block, checked and cleaned positive connections from battery to fuse box, Checked battery - tested good, but replaced with new battery anyway. [Also tested with another battery from my other car.] Battery is very strong. Lights are bright, no battery power issue.
3) Checked all fuses and relays in the car. All tested good (I checked the continuity of each and every fuse, and the operation of each and every relay using a relay tester.)
4) Replaced starter relay, even though it tested good.
5) Checked starter. Tested good at auto shop. However, replaced starter with new starter anyway (where replacing the starter includes the starter solenoid)
6) Replaced ignition switch.
7) Checked transmission range park / neutral safety switch. Seemed to operate correctly, however, replaced transmission park/neutral safety switch with a new one.

Took car to Honda Dealer. Honda Dealer had the car for 3 full days trying to diagnose the problem. They could not find the problem.

Started to go through replacing the same things again, in case the original part was bad and new replacement part was bad with the same failure mode.
8) Replaced Starter relay with a second new relay.
9) Replaced ignition switch again, with a second new ignition switch.
10) Replaced transmission park / neutral safety switch with second new switch.
11) Replaced the entire under hood fuse box with a used fuse box from 2009 civic (only used part that I installed, all others were new parts in case it was some of the Main Fuses or ELD unit in the fuse box were failed).

With all of the above, there is no change to the Starting Delay (i.e., the same problem persists, and no new problems -- when car starts, all functions normally). Early on in the diagnosis process, I reviewed the electrical diagram for the starting system on the 2009 Honda Civic. The Engine Control Module (ECM) is not part of the circuit for engaging the starter motor (some cars have other ECM interlocks prior to engaging the starter -- for example if there is insufficient fuel pump pressure, or the engine temperature is too hot (indicating engine overheated) then it will not let the starter engage). There are no such ECM interlocks to engaging the starter on the 2009 Honda Civic, so I am not aware of any other engine sensors or systems that could be causing the starter delay.

As indicated above, there are no failure codes. The only dash light failure indication is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) which has been lit for the past 140,000 miles or so, which has nothing to do with this starting delay issue.

If anyone has suggestions on what I should do next, I certainly appreciate it. It is difficult to get test equipment probing for signals, since the starter delay is intermittent (typically on first cold start attempt) and tends to be only 5 to 15 seconds. I am tempted to try replacing the starter motor (including solenoid) again, however, I would like to get other suggestions as to the root cause of the problem, as that job is a not the most fun on the 2009 Civic.

Thank you.

 
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Hello, Just a quick update on the starter delay for the 2009 Honda Civic LX from my original post in May 2025. It is now November 17, 2025. This problem initially began over 1 year ago. I continue to drive the car and it runs and operates just fine, other than the starting delay. The Starting Delay problem occurs typically, just during the first start in the morning when the engine is cold, which typically requires holding the key in the start position for 5 to 15 seconds before the starter motor engages at which time the engine immediate starts with very little cranking time needed from the engaged starter to start the engine. No new problems have developed for my 2009 Honda Civic LX. I have done more testing trying to diagnose the problem, including for example, probing the signals out of the ignition switch, bypassing (for test purposes only) the starter relay interlock for the park/neutral safety switch, putting dielectric grease on a number of electrical contacts hoping the problem was a simple connection problem (e.g., battery posts and other electrical contacts), but I have not replaced any more parts. Every part in the starting circuit continues to test good, and all electrical contacts seem good as well.

 
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Hello, my name is Jim and I'm helping a friend with the same exact problem. I find it very intriguing.
I trust that the problem still exists and that you have replaced all of the components with new ones at least once, only for the issue to remain. Is this all correct?

 
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Hi Jim, regarding your reply about helping your friend with the same problem ... To answer your question about does the problem still exist, after replacing all of the components (one or more times) that I identified in my earlier posting, the answer is "Yes." It is now December 15, 2025. The intermittent starting delay problem continues on my 2009 Honda Civic LX. This problem originally had its first signs about 1.5 years ago. I continue to drive the car and have had no other problems. The car has never left me stranded (e.g., by not starting). My wife will not drive the car, because it does not give her confidence that sometimes you need the hold the key in the start position for quite a while before the starter actually engages. I continue to drive the 2009 Honda Civic without any concerns for relatively local trips; although, I have chosen "not" to take this car on trips more than about 100 miles from my home including vacations out of state (i.e., I take my 2013 Honda Civic that does not have this problem when taking longer trips away from my house).

If you find a solution to this problem, please post the solution so that I can fix my car as well. If I find the solution, I will also post the solution so that you and others can benefit from knowing how to fix it. If you would like to talk on the phone about this intermittent starting delay problem, I am open to that as well. Thanks.

 
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I wud absolutely love to investigate this over the phone, with the promise that we will post the solution when it's solved. How wud u suggest sharing telephone #'s?

 
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We have a 2009 Honda Civic LX, 5 speed manual that does the same thing. Only happens when the car itself is below about 35°F. It can be 15° outside but sitting in the sun and it will crank and fire up immediately. Sounds stupid, but it is almost as though it takes the electrons more time to flow through a circuit. My theory is that it is caused by something electronic within the passenger compartment, but for the life of me I cannot nail it down!
Like yours, it has never left us stranded. We just have to be aware that it will happen and not panic.
Would love to hear if you resolve your issue. I have given up throwing parts at mine with no results. Just going to live with it,
Good luck!

 
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Hi Joe Stuck and all,

Regarding the starting delay ...Glad to know that my 2009 Honda Civic LX is not the only Civic with this problem. While the following fix has not completely resolved the starting delay, it has mostly resolved the problem on my car. What I did several months ago, was put dielectric grease on a number of electrical contacts. Specifically, I first removed the battery, then removed and recleaned the ground contacts with the frame and engine and put dielectric grease on them and reattached them, removed the positive contact with the fuse box under the hood and cleaned the electrical contact and put on dielectric grease on it as well and reattached it, and put dielectric grease on the electrical connection to the park/neutral safety switch. Then, I cleaned the battery posts (again) and connections, putting dielectric grease on them, and put back in the battery. This has mostly resolved the starting delay on my civic. In fact, the starting delay did not occur for about 3 months. Recently, I cleaned the engine compartment on the car with engine degreaser / soap / water to get rid of the road salt from driving on snow/ice covered roads in Northern climates, which likely had the undesired effect of also cleaning out some of the dielectric grease, since my car just had a short 5 second starting delay. Probably some of the dielectric grease was removed when I cleaned the engine, so I plan to add the dielectric grease to the connections again.

Bottom line, I think that the root cause of the starting delay is one or more electrical connection that is not the best delivering the power needed to operate the starter motor, and dielectric grease especially on the high power connections (e.g., at the battery, the ground wires, and at the fuse box) seems to help, and perhaps electrical connections at multi-prong electrical connectors like the park/neutral safety switch. None of my connections have any corrosion and all the connections are tight.

I would appreciate knowing if this possible fix helps others who have the starting delay, or if anyone has discovered another solution that works. I am open to private messages as well as public postings to this thread. Thank you.

 
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Thank you for the update! I will give your suggestions a try.
I'm also planning on cleaning up any grounds that are located in the cabin.
Thanks!