Honda Car Forum

Hello everyone!I just bought a 1990 Honda Accord LX few days ago. This car runs great but has a issue to me. It is difficult to start! After I insert my key into the igniter, I need to turn the key very hard to start the car. It seems like I need to reach a right point to ignite the engine. If I fail to reach the point, my car just make "ca ca ca" sound.

sounds like the starter is going out...

I'm no mechanic, but I had a similar problem with my camry and the starter was going out! Try to see if it works to have that changed!

You probably need a new ignition switch and soon or it will get harder and harder to start until it won't. Its the part that you put your key into in the dashboard/steering column (wherever it is).get someone that knows what they are doing or you could end up replacing the whole steering column.

either your starter is going out or you have a faulty key igniter. in case its a faulty igniter, then simply mess with the igniter rather than turning it hard. if you turn the key too hard too often then the key will bend then break then you will end up paying more than necessary

i have a 89 honda accord and i had the same problem i took it to the shop and turned out i needed a new starter and a fuel injector flush, car started fine afterwards

How many miles are on the car? If it is under a 160,000 miles it probably isn't the starter, could be just a weak battery or poor (corrosion) at the battery terminals. You fail to explain the problem adequetly, Does the starter turn over the engine everytime but it seems the car takes several attempts to crank it? If thats the case it is most likely the rotor under your distributor cap. Cheap fix,,,it could be a number of things. An experienced mechanic at the Honda place could probably diagnose it while you watch. I haven't ever had a key switch in any of mine go bad, but it sounds like yours could be worn. It is hard to diagnose the problem over the phone or internet, it would be easy if I could put my hands and eyes on it. Don't replace the starter without checking battery with load tester and check it for clean tight connections first, you can't tell by looking at it, you have to clean them to be sure. If the distibutor cap and rotor have not been replaced in 200,000 miles its time to replace them as preventative maint.

try changing out the ignition swiitch, thats what it sounds like

diddo gsp42

its great bro i have had a few honda's same problem with my 1990 honda accord lx lol put a new battery in it