Easy Fix for Honda that Won’t Start – Electrical Buzz Sound
This article provides a solution for the problem where your car won’t start; it won’t even turn over. You may hear only a click, buzzing or humming type of electrical sound coming from the ignition starter switch. If you try it repeatedly, the car eventually starts. This is a fairly common problem with Honda vehicles and will get progressively worse until it won’t start at all.
The Honda vehicles that can suffer from this problem include:
- Honda Accord
- Honda Element
- Honda CRV
- Honda Civic
- Acura TSX
- Acura TL
The year vehicles that seem to suffer from this the most range from about 2003-2008.
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Do you have an issue where the key won’t even turn? You may have a faulty ignition cylinder, check out this post for that fix!
Table of Contents
- Problem Description
- Common Issue: Honda Civic Buzzing Sound When Starting
- Q: How to Fix a Honda that Won’t Start? A: Replace the Ignition Switch!
Problem Description
The main symptom of this problem is that the vehicle will make a clicking noise, but not start. You may also hear an electrical sort of ‘buzz’ or ‘humming’ sound coming from near the ignition key area.
Often this problem will be intermittent and then get progressively worse over time. People with this problem describe it starting out slowly, maybe having the problem only once a month or so to begin with. The vehicle will usually start after trying again in several minutes.
Note that this problem is different than a dead or dying battery, in which the vehicle will initially start to turn over, but get slower and slower, and eventually just chatter or click.
Common Issue: Honda Civic Buzzing Sound When Starting
Why has my starter switch failed? The reason for this, is that within this switch, the full starter solenoid current runs through this switch, that is a lot of current. Over time, the contacts in this switch can eventually become pitted around the edges causing bumps and valleys, and the resistance increases due to the poor connection. By trying it several times, the current may be able to make the jump, but it will only get worse and worse eventually requiring replacement.
One way to avoid this is to turn the key more quickly. Do not turn the key slowly so that the current gets concentrated at the edges of the contact points. This is a minor point, and the real answer is that the full current ideally should not be running through this switch!
Q: How to Fix a Honda that Won’t Start? A: Replace the Ignition Switch!
The following is a step by step procedure for replacing the starter switch in a Honda.
Tools and Supplies Needed
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver or putty knife (for prying)
- 10mm wrench
- Honda Starter Switch (Honda Part# 35130-SAA-J51)
Step 1: Disconnect the Negative Battery Terminal
It is a good idea to disconnect the negative battery terminal cable before unplugging anything electrical on your vehicle. To do this, pop the hood and use a (usually 10mm) wrench to loosen and disconnect the negative battery terminal wire.
Tuck the cable off to the side of the battery.
Step 2: Remove the Steering Column Cover
Next, go inside the car and remove the steering column cover by removing three screws from the bottom. Some of the screws may be hidden behind the steering wheel angle adjustment lever. Then pry the top and bottom plastic cover pieces apart with a flat-bladed screwdriver and remove them, exposing the starter switch.
Step 3: Remove the Starter Switch
Remove the 2 screws holding the starter switch in place. There is one on the side and one on the bottom. The bottom one is a little tricky to get to, but not too bad.
In the image below, I have removed the entire ignition assembly so that it is easier to see. (You do not need to remove all of this!) The starter switch is the black plastic piece on the far left of the assembly.
Step 4: Unplug the brown electrical plug.
There is an electrical plug going to the switch that should be removed. Unplug it by pressing the tab and pulling it outward, then remove the old switch.
This photo shows the bottom of the starter switch. The gold screw is the bottom one that should be removed. The brown plug has already been disconnected.
Step 5: Install the New Switch.
Install the new Honda starter switch in the same place that the old one was by reinstalling the 2 mounting screws and plugging in the brown connector.
Step 6: Put the steering column cover back on.
Re-install the 2 plastic halves and install the screws.
And that’s about it! For more information on Honda Accord maintenance, check out these articles:
Maintenance Articles on Honda Accords
Thank you! My 2005 Element started acting up a couple weeks ago. It was puzzling, as the buzzing was clearly coming from the relay, yet replacing that with another compatible relay from the same vehicle didn’t solve the issue. I was starting to suspect corrosion at ground point 506 (but, if so, why wouldn’t there be other issues?) or at the relay connection block (that would be a nightmare to resolve!). Your explanation made so much sense and was so easy to address that I bought a Honda OEM replacement and, as you’d bet, has solved the issue. Furthermore, opening and examining the old switch internal contacts under a stereomicroscope showed significant destruction at both contacts. My first thought that I could clean the contacts was clearly wrong–replacement is the only option. Thanks again for saving me time, hassle, and $$$$!
I have 2007 CRV and replace the starter switch and the buzzing sound but now it will not start it acts like it’s out of gas . It has a gallon plus of as
replaced ignition switch. problem not remains
White grease fixed mine
Cool! Thanks for the feedback
Man, this did it for me. Thank you
Awesome, glad to hear it! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for a very clear explanation of this issue and how to fix it. My 2007 CR-V had the problem monthly, then weekly, then daily…. and then multiple times daily.