Hi Everyone,

I am having problems with my 1995 Acura Integra Special Edition. I have 125k on it and never drive it hard or race it. This care is bone stock, no modifications whatsoever with the exception of an Alpine headunit that I have had for a couple of months.

I have had no problems until about 2 weeks ago: very randomly whenever i start my car i put the key in the ignition and turn... sometimes it does not turn over. The lights on the dashboard will light up, however, the engine will not start. It feels like there is no sparkplug action or anything. I don't know anything about cars, so I may be wrong...

To fix it, I have to pull the key out , try again, hope that it will work. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. This morning I had to try 3 times. Last night I had to try 2 times. There seems to be no pattern what weather or time I try to start my car.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Could it be the sparkplugs? Those, along with the "cables??" were replaced last year or so.

Thanks in advance!

 

its your starter.

 

Thanks for the tip. How hard is this to replace? How much is the part? Is this expensive labor (ie: like a timing belt) or could be easily replaced?

Any additional help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

I made some calls and to get this service done ranged from about $330 to $380. I've read that it's rather easy to do, but I'm not exactly the most mechanically inclined person I know.

What I would suggest is that you get your battery and alternator tested first. You should be able to find places that will do this for FREE.

I'm in the same perdicament you are, but I'm not convinced it's my starter just yet.

 

Yeah, I was going to ask this - how can you test the alternator? I know you can go into Schucks and test the battery for free......

Thanks!

 

Also, could it be the ignition?

 

I seriously doubt it.

I had the same exact thing happen to my teg a few months ago. Every now and then I'd crank my keys and I would hear a click but the engine wouldn't turn over. Then I'd crank it 15-20 times and suddenly it would start. Then one day it wouldn't start. I had my starter replaced for $150.

 

Thanks for the tips again. Did you have some type of 'hesitation' when you would turn the key? Sometimes there is like a 3-5 second delay, then it would start....

Did the $150 include labor? Is it really hard to replace? Does anyone know?

Also, do you think it's the battery or alternator? Or could it be those?

Thanks again!!!

 

If you are fairly handy with basic tools, you should be able to do it yourself. I took my car to a shop to get it done simply because I was living in the dorms at the time and I didn't have the adequate resources. Yes mine included labor, but they managed to majorly scuff my paint above the front right wheel well leaning over to install the new starter. :madfawk:

I recommend buying a Helms manual (or possibly downloading it online), reading it over, then finding a replacement starter at a junkyard and doing it yourself.

Good luck.

 

RB, thank you for the tips. Yeah, I was thinking of getting a used starter or a reconditioned/rebuilt one. which out of the two would you choose?

My only fear is that the starter would be deep in the engine, like a timing belt, and very difficult to replace. Is this true?