03 CR-V Starting / Starter Issue

Hello,

Yesterday after work my car wouldn't start. There was no warning. It was sitting in the parking lot for about 5 hours.

You could hear the starter spin but it sounded like it was spinning just in the starter not turning anything on the motor.

Checked the battery and I do not believe power is an issue.

I was able to pop start it and drive it home (about an hours drive). Once I got home I parked it, turned it off and tried to start it again. Nothing, same problem as before, starter spins but doesn't sound like its touching the motor.

The car sat all night, I got up today expecting to have to replace the starter. I got in turned the key and it fired up like nothing was wrong. I have turned it off and started it back up a number of times without issue.

I'm worried that it is going to strand me somewhere. Any ideas as to what is going on?

Thanks in advance for the help!

-Matt

Amishguy,

From your description it sounds like the Bendix spring on the starter is not capable of engaging the starter drive gear. If this is in fact the case you MAY be able to fix it with zero cost (You MAY NOT). You would need to pull the starter, disassemble the solenoid / Bendix gear assembly determine what the issue is, if it is just gummed up (I have seen this several times over the years) you would lubricate it with some high temp. grease. Not too much, just enough to allow the assemble to engage smoothly. If the spring is broken then the assembly needs replacement or get a rebuilt starter. NOTE: What I have suggested is based strictly off of your trouble description. The correct thing to do would be fully trouble shoot the starting system (often includes the charging system as well), but if you are accurate in what you have described then you should be well on the way to fixing the issue. Lots of luck, Russ.

X2 to the above...could just be a Bendix issue (stuck or broken spring)

From experience, do NOT buy a cheap rebuilt starter...they don't last. Have your starter rebuilt by an auto electric shop.

And make sure any new starter you buy is the gear-reduction type as originally fitted. BTDT

I don't remember seeing any complaints about starters...