help with something strange when starting the car
 

2011/12 Civic Hatchback Auto

When the engine is cold (doesn’t happen with the engine has been warmed up i.e driven for more than 5kms), almost every time I start the car, it makes a cranking sound, as if I was turning the key for too long to start it (although it’s a button), anyone know whats causing this?

I took the car for service but because the service center is like 15 kms away, obviously they couldn't hear the sound as the engine is warm. it needs to cool down for like 5-8 hours to make the noise again and i cant leave it there so long ...

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

Can you get us a video with the sound?

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

i can try :)

the sound is exactly the same as if the car would start by turning a key (instead of pushing the button) but instead of letting go once the engine turned over/started, you kept it in the same position as if to continue starting it

imagine a weak battery where one tries to start the car by holding the key all the way in the ignition for a long time till it starts ...

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

So you're talking a "click click click click click" and not the god-awful screeching noise you hear if you try to start the car but forgot that it was already running?

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

exactly!

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

Original battery ?? If so it has outlasted many others at that age.

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

nope, new battery around 6 months ago (a very good one)

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

A video would definitely help. Where under the hood is the noise originating?

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

So turns out it was the starter motor - replaced it and it's fine now. Is it normal for a 5.5 year old civic hatchback with 140km on to need a starter replacement - I had a 12 year old Camry with the original starter at 225km

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

No its Not." starter on a Japenese car should Last a good Long time wifes
Nissan is an 07 it has nearly 260.000kms on the OEM starter. still starts fine
It had a starting issue last week after doing some checking? it turned out
to be a corroded cracked positive terminal changed it out myself and its fixed.!
wifes happy again. :tup:

Re: help with something strange when starting the car
 

Some last a darn long time, though some do crap out unusually early.


Many people have posted about starter problems on 06-11 Civics with the 1.8L engine here. Not every one, but many.