2012 Civic AT - Not Starting when Cold

[maverickfhs]

Having an issue for 2012 Civic where crank is slow and requires few cranks to start it when it is cold outside.

In few instances, it never started, battery is new and tested good. Alternator is charging fine and no light on the cluster.

Once car is warmed up or temp is above 35/40, no issues with starting.

Issue seems to be same as this thread: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-good-other-checks-before-pro-service.340230/

Thinking it is a starter, but this starter is a pain to replace and want to make sure it is the reason for it. Any idea if starter can be tested?

 

[GSCJR]

Any idea if starter can be tested?

Yes, have a starter draw test performed. You might have to leave it overnight to get accurate readings.

 

[spasm3]

How cold ? What oil is in it ? Which engine ? 1.8, 2.4?

Is the problem primarily turning over slow? Or just not firing when cold ?

 

[maverickfhs]

How cold ? What oil is in it ? Which engine ? 1.8, 2.4?

Is the problem primarily turning over slow? Or just not firing when cold ?

Teens to 20's, it has 5W30 synthetic and 1.8L.

Yes, turning over slow and crank being poor.

 

[maverickfhs]

Yes, have a starter draw test performed. You might have to leave it overnight to get accurate readings.

Is this something that AZ or AAP can perform or no?

 

[GSCJR]

Not sure, things are a little different in MURICA. ; maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[carviewsonic]

This is what I did on my '07 Accord, made a huge improvement in cranking speed in cold weather. Check Civic forums to see the largest size battery that will fit in your Civic. The stock batteries on these Hondas are undersized for cold winter weather. The upgraded ground cable is cheap, and easy to swap.

C

Thread ''07 Accord k24 upsized battery installed today'

Oct 31, 2022

Original size 51r

Old 51r vs new 24f

New 24f installed, used generic battery tray and longer j bolts from Amazon. I cut 1/4 inch from the front j bolt so it wouldn't be sticking up. Everything fits and the battery is secure. Also installed a new larger gauge ground cable used on V6 Accords. Bring on the cold weather! Or don't, that would actually be better. But the car is ready.

• carviewsonic
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

• 
• 

 

[spasm3]

Teens to 20's, it has 5W30 synthetic and 1.8L.

Yes, turning over slow and crank being poor.

I would put a meter on the battery and see what the voltage is. Being new does not guarantee its not a problem. Check both ends of the hot side cable, at the battery, and at the starter. Make sure nothing has chaffed it / or corroded in between

 

[maverickfhs]

Battery is showing between 12.5-12.6V, while cranking voltage is staying around 10V.

Got this load tested ad results were good too.

 

[twX]

Make sure the battery connections are tight and not corroded, and make sure the resting voltage of the battery is at least 12.5 volts.

If the battery really is good, the problem could be high resistance in the cables, or the connections at the battery, starter, or starter solenoid. The solenoid itself could also be bad. It should be possible to test all of these things with just a multimeter.

Connect the voltmeter leads across the battery terminals. Then crank the engine in flood mode and observe the reading while the engine is cranking. The voltage should settle to at least 10 volts while the engine is cranking. If it's much lower than this, your battery is bad or undercharged. A strong battery will tend to have a cranking voltage of at least 10.5 V when temperatures are above freezing.

Then do the same test with the voltmeter leads across the starter terminals. The voltage will be lower, but it probably shouldn't be lower by more than around 1 volt. If it's a lot lower, you have a problem with a connection, cable, or starter solenoid. You could then do the same test with the lead across individual cables or the solenoid itself to see where the voltage is being dropped. If the voltage at the starter is healthy, then the starter itself is likely the problem.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Yeah, those new Hondas come with toy batteries

This is what I did on my '07 Accord, made a huge improvement in cranking speed in cold weather. Check Civic forums to see the largest size battery that will fit in your Civic. The stock batteries on these Hondas are undersized for cold winter weather. The upgraded ground cable is cheap, and easy to swap.

C

Thread ''07 Accord k24 upsized battery installed today'

Oct 31, 2022

Original size 51r

Old 51r vs new 24f

New 24f installed, used generic battery tray and longer j bolts from Amazon. I cut 1/4 inch from the front j bolt so it wouldn't be sticking up. Everything fits and the battery is secure. Also installed a new larger gauge ground cable used on V6 Accords. Bring on the cold weather! Or don't, that would actually be better. But the car is ready.

• carviewsonic
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

• 
• 

This.

 

[maverickfhs]

Yeah, those new Hondas come with toy batteries



This.

Don't think Civic has enough space for an upgrade

 

[GSCJR]

Don't think Civic has enough space for an upgrade

Not necessary IMO; with everything working as designed.

 

[DemoFly]

It's safe to assume the battery is good. Do a voltage drop test on the positive and negative side of the starter. 5 minute diagnosis.

 

[WobblyElvis]

If you have booster cables.
Attach one end of the cables [lets say the black clamp] to the block of the engine, attach the other black end of the cables to the negative terminal of the battery. If this significantly improves how fast the engine cranks, then you have an engine block grounding problem.

 

[2010Civic]

If you do need a new starter the 2016-2022 Honda HRV uses the same starter.

I got a used OEM starter on ebay from a 2021 HRV with only 23k miles for $64. (Replaced a friend's 2012 Civic starter)

The starter is definitely a pain to replace. Plan for at least a couple hours.

FYI, don't buy new Honda parts on ebay. They are almost all fakes...

 

[maverickfhs]

If you do need a new starter the 2016-2022 Honda HRV uses the same starter.

I got a used OEM starter on ebay from a 2021 HRV with only 23k miles for $64. (Replaced a friend's 2012 Civic starter)

The starter is definitely a pain to replace. Plan for at least a couple hours.

FYI, don't buy new Honda parts on ebay. They are almost all fakes...

I have done a starter on 2006 Civic, no fun and it is bit more difficult setup.

Any idea if starters are same for 2006 vs 2012? Then the one on the shelf for 2006 can be rebuilt and put into 2012.

Interesting you mention, as new starters are showing so cheap on ebay(fake) so will be going for a used one.

 

[2010Civic]

The 8th gen civic starter (2006-11) are different than the 9th gen civic (2012-15).

 

[maverickfhs]

Thanks @2010Civic - appreciate your help.

 

[Marcozi]

Check the main ground cable connection between the engine and the car.