Prelude starting

My son has just bought a 1998 Honda Prelude 2.0i with 50000 miles and full
Honda service history. His problem is that when the engine is warm, and he
tries to start it, the starter motor turns the engine, the engine seems to
fire and then the starter motor stops, and the engine then quickly stalls.
If the key is kept turned the starter will re-engage for a short time, but
the starter stops almost immediately, and the engine does not run.

I know most of the group is American and I don't think you got this model
over there, so if you have any idea why this single OHC 2.0 injection
engine, might be doing this, your help would be good.

Thanks
Hamish

 

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Do a google internet search for 'honda ingition switch recall' It will
probably answer your question. There was a massive recall in North
America that included three of the Hondas I've owned. '97's and '98.

'Curly'

 

You may have a bad starter.

 

I have replaced the starter motor which is combined with the solenoid and it
is now ok. I proved the fault by monitoring the voltage on the solenoid
input terminal. With the plug leads disconnected, and the key turned, the
voltage remained at around 11 volts, but the starter stopped and started
erratically. I suspect the solenoid, but it does not seem, simple to
disassemble, and we bought a second hand unit to replace it.
Our family have owned Hondas for a lot of years now and this is the first
time we have had a engine part like this fail.

It may be of interest to UK readers that I sourced the spare part by
entering my want into
http://autotrader.find-a-part.com/
and was offered 6 motors the next morning, varying from £45 for the cheapest
(and as it turned out only 5 miles away) to the most expensive reconditioned
unit at £175.

 

I have a 01 Prelude -- 2.2 VTEC 200 hp. Only problem I have had with 47,000
on the clock is the ignition switch -- not under warranty. Agree that it is
unusual for a Honda to experience a failure like a starter, but the symptoms
you described fit my experience with other older cars. Glad you have it
fixed.Spent a few years in the U.K. at RAF Mildenhall in the early 80s.
Lived in Ely when we first arrived. Still have a few friends "over there."

 

Did you see Curly's reply to my original question, I did a search and found
that there was a recall for 97 to 00 Hondas for ignition switches. On
searching my sons service history, we found that his had been recalled, I
wonder if yours slipped through because it wasn't registered until 2001.

We also wanted a 2.2 and they did a Motegi version in the UK which had a few
extra body parts on it, but we couldn't find one in time as they where
either too high a mileage or too expensive, so had to settle for the 2.0.

 

Nope. Only cost $58.00 to fix though. Only the 2.2 was sold in the U.S.
and the last year was 2001. Love the car.. which is saying a lot for an old
Vette driver.