My starter is going bad, pulled it out today (Fuckers buried behind the intake).

Anyway, most remans from autozone/advanced/ect are around 130.

CarQuest has a reman BBB unit for 150

and Bosch makes a reman for 180.

New seems to be around 300.

I dont want to do it again, any advice on which reman to buy? Should I have a local place rebuild it (if so which?)

8/11/2013 6:21:49 PM

If you really don't want to buy another then rebuild it. Kits can be bought nine for really cheap. A starter on a v6 is really that difficult just crammed in there

I would go with Bosch or see if dorman has one.

8/11/2013 8:09:57 PM

If you get it from Advance Auto it is probably going to break in a bout a year, they will gladly warranty it....but you get to take the one that was $30 cheaper off again and go swap it out for another one that will crap prematurely.

8/15/2013 1:53:24 PM

Lo orgt o mention that VisIon is pretty good

8/15/2013 10:26:03 PM

Dumb question: How did you know it was definitely your starter?? My car is doing the craziest thing for the past 2ish years. Won't start when it's really hot sometimes....or it will be fine one night then just won't crank the next day. Also, if I run the air conditioner for like 15-20 minutes while in park, it will just knock off.

My car is actually in the shop in Coats, NC as we speak and no one knows what it could be. It only occurs randomly.

8/19/2013 2:59:43 PM

Auto parts store remans have a short life. If you plan to keep the car for a while you might want to throw down on a new one.

8/19/2013 10:04:39 PM

^^ Anyone know what that could possibly be?? The auto shop is saying if the car wouldn't start for them, they could figure out what the problem is. But as long as it is cranking, they can't. Could it be a sensor, switch, misfire in emissions (AAP tested my battery, starter, and alternator and said they were good supposedly)?

[Edited on August 20, 2013 at 12:18 AM. Reason : .]

8/20/2013 12:18:14 AM

What kind of car is it?
When you say it wont crank in hot weather does it turn over but not actually fire up (ie you can hear the starter engage and turn the engine but it wont actually completely start)?
What do you mean knock off when in park - the entire car stalls out or the AC just quits working?

8/20/2013 7:14:58 AM

It's a 2002 Honda Accord EX V6 2-dr. It just seems to usually mess up in hot weather or at least that's when I've noticed it. As far as the cranking part, it's hard to tell. But the ignition and radio all comes on and when you try to turn the key it starts to turn, but never actually completely starts up. Hard to describe.

I've got to replace my 2 remaining motor mounts as well, but NO ONE can seem to figure it out. The auto shop is saying if they could get it to not crank, they would be able to diagnose the problem, but that's almost impossible. Plus, it's not really hot today (but I don't even know if that plays a role).

I used to sit in my car for lunch some times and have my A/C on, and like 20-30 minutes into it, my car would just knock off. Those same days, when I could somewhat crank it, I would accelerate and give the car some gas to keep the car on, but as soon as I let off the gas, it would just turn off. Then it would take like 45 mins or more to get it to start back up (assumingly after it cools off?).

Other days, I could have not driven my car for 1.5 days and then just go out to start it up, and it won't do anything (except all my lights/radio comes on).

*sigh* IDK.....


[Edited on August 20, 2013 at 1:52 PM. Reason : .]

8/20/2013 1:50:41 PM

tell them to check the "main relay"

it's a common cause of hot-start issues on accords around that vintage.

looks like there may have also been a recall on the ignition switch (call the dealer with the VIN to check)


[Edited on August 20, 2013 at 2:33 PM. Reason : on the 2002]

8/20/2013 2:31:47 PM

Been on the phone all day with Honda dealerships in Sanford and Fayetteville (just like yesterday), and there's no recall on ignition issues, just airbag issues (which I was aware of).

I called the auto shop and they are turning the head on inside the car and getting it hot in there, and then going to test the main relay. He said he kind of checked it yesterday, but would research more today. Still cranking fine prior to today.

8/20/2013 3:49:35 PM

Those cars have a not so good (poor) connection between the battery terminals and where the wires for the starter and fuse box all come together. I've done this on many many of that body style accords. Cut that tiny factory terminal off splice the wires and reconnect with all the fresh copper showing. There isn't much wire to work with so be careful

Bad connections like that are the death of Honda batteries alternators and starters

[Edited on August 20, 2013 at 9:53 PM. Reason : I've chased problems with these things for weeks do to that ]

8/20/2013 9:51:46 PM

Any way to test the connection or will it just look bad/frayed wires?? I can call the shop tomorrow and suggest that if they haven't already looked at it. That's the only other way to re-establish the connection???

8/20/2013 11:13:27 PM

It will look like its been sitting outside forever. May not be corroded but still might have been weathered enough to create a connection problem.

8/21/2013 1:44:53 PM

The shop just keeps saying he can't check anything while it's running properly. "If we can get it to knock off, or NOT crank, then we can check that or any electrical connection." *sigh*

This is getting out of control...........

8/21/2013 4:48:11 PM

All I can say is good luck, I am not familiar with the shop your cars is at bit when you get it back and you have a few minutes check it out.

8/21/2013 9:13:04 PM

Getting it back tomorrow so my uncle can put on my front and rear motor mounts. I wish I knew how to do stuff myself. I guess I will have to find someone in Raleigh area to look at it for me.

8/21/2013 11:22:19 PM