Chosen Solution
I’m pretty sure I’ve narrowed it down to the starter has gone out. When I turn key all dash lights, radio, etc come on. Headlights, interior lights come on anytime. I can hear fuel pump noise, no clicking sounds from ignition… I’m certainly not a mechanic AT ALL, though I have a decent idea as to how most of it works, more or less. I’ve researched online and weeded out battery,alternator, and ignition switch. What really makes me think it’s the starter is that the wires going from the starter have apparently caught fire at some point, because the black wires around the colored wires are charred and leave black soot on your finger. Is it possible the starter got too hot and caught the wiring on fire?? Could it be the wiring itself and the starter is still good?? 2001 Honda Accord coupe 2.1L manual transmission
Not a fix but sometimes when your starter is going bad and you get no response when turning the key you can get it to work by tapping it with a hammer. If it clicks or turns over then u need a new starter. If nothing happens then more troubleshooting is needed. Have one person tap the side of the starter with a hammer. Don’t smash it just give it a few firm taps. Have another person try to start the car while it’s being tapped on. Like I said this isn’t a fix. It’s just a low tech way to troubleshoot your starter while it is still mounted to the engine. Also if it caught fire at some point or got hot and melted the wires then that means the starter got overheated from trying to crank for too long or it could be a sign of it straining when it’s going bad. Just be sure to check all the wires attached to the starter to make sure they’re still good and swap them out if not. Good luck.
