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8th gen Honda Accord starter 2 different OEM numbers
- Thread starter amateurbob
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Thanks. I read that too but it made me suspicious... Why would someone buy an oem interchangeable part and willingly spend $200 more?
No idea, but some people are picky. The only starters I've ever installed on K24's are the Denso reman's. Never had one fail, and I've installed quite a few over the years.
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I found the denso remans on rock auto. Since the original OEM lasted 221k and the job is not super easy l preferred to go oem.
Its a long story but l ended up getting both parts. I installed the main/expensive one already. I just received the less expensive one today. Other than the part numbers being different they are identical.
I have a 2011 cr-v and it has the identical starter as the accord. I was hoping to save it for if and when that needs to be replaced.
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I have performed a semi in depth search on Google and l have yet to find a sufficient answer.
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A sticker maybe?
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They are both made by Mitsuba and have sequential part numbers SM-73002 and SM-73001
This is what I was going to ask as I worked emissions testing for a while.
I ended up doing one twice because a jobber one only lasted a couple of years, pure garbage; the Mitsuba from the junkyard worked better. Knowing that the Densos are a good choice is helpful; not that I had any doubts. Bosch would be another one I'd consider after Denso.
Back in the day when I ran a shop, I only sold Bosch alternators and starters for a while. They were of good quality, came with a good warranty and included roadside assistance.
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I like using Denso's for both the reliability and the fact that most of their stuff is reman'd in Long Beach, CA.
Regional differences in emissions rules can cause manufacturers to supply different equipment for cars that get sold in different states. It could be something as simple as differently shaped bell housing or ring gear that trickled down from another change. There are also cold weather and hot weather versions of many cars that aren't obvious when you buy them. Honestly it could be a lot of reasons and it's probably something inconsequential.
Bosch sold off their reman business to a chinese company -- and I'm still bitter about it. I'm not sure if that's all Bosch alternators and starters or just certain ones, but I got one of the bad ones.
I’d love to hear some actual specific examples of this. Besides possibly California, what other regions have differing emissions rules that would affect the build?
So manufacturers account for part number differences during manufacture based on sales location? Re: your bell housing example.
Cold weather and hot I do see but it’s based on a specific “cold weather package” that’s reflected in the build spec.
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I was hoping to get this info as well but it might to specific and these are aging parts. So here is to hoping!
18 states and D.C. have adopted the CARB emissions standards for either partial or all regions as of 2026.
Not exactly, parts/part number differences are typically a result of supply chain differences based upon which factory the engine and/or vehicle is assembled. Since the OP is discussing a Honda Accord, I can relay my knowledge of the parts differences in a 2001 (6th Gen.) Accord. The 4 cyl. 2001 Accord was available with 3 different 2.3 liter engines depending on trim level and emissions equipment certifications. F23A4 (ULEV) versions were CARB compliant and had VTEC, wideband fuel sensors, a more efficient manifold, and CARB catalytic converters. The F23A1 (LEV) engines had VTEC, narrow band O2 sensors, a different exhaust manifiold with non-CARB catalytic converter and different ECU. The F23A5 (LEV) engine was non-VTEC, had narrow band O2 sensor and different idle air control valve configuration. The F23A4 (ULEV) version could be sold new in CA (& all other 49 states), while the other versions were not CARB compliant. My late friend purchased two 2001 Accords in a non-CARB region of VA. One had the F23A4 (ULEV) engine, the other had the F23A5 (LEV) engine.
Well I guess it was mostly a reference to different starters. But thanks.
Some OEMs use different cold and hot weather equipment based on the state or location of sale. A great example is on the BMW M54 engines which they sold millions of. In "cold weather" areas they would insulate the crankcase ventilator system (which consisted of about 5 large hoses, a diaphragm, and a cyclone separator that sat under the intake) because the uninsulated system would have a lot of water condensation, which would mix with oil and cause mayonnaise. The "hot weather" areas got cars that did not have the insulation. You couldn't tell from any option or from the VIN whether it had the insulation.
Meanwhile the exact same engine in the same vehicles was sold in SULEV states with a completely different crankcase ventilator -- built into the valve cover. The whole valve cover and many vacuum lines were different. Same engine in the same car but sold in different states. And the parts could be retrofitted among each other.
Another example, my best friend from college got hired at Toyota in 2008 and somehow stayed employed during the recession. He was a field engineer and had to go to Fairbanks, AK probably because they were having a bunch of check engine lights on Tundras up there. Toyota sold the Tundra with an air pump that would pump fresh air into the exhaust manifold when the engine is shut off (you can hear it when some Toyotas of that era are turned off) for emissions compliance, I forget exactly why but I believe it would evacuate any unburned fuel from the cylinders or something. However, the cold-weather versions had a heater on the valve (not sure if it was a check valve or an actuated valve) to keep it from freezing, but the hot-weather versions did not. Turns out a bunch of Tundras had been brought up to Fairbanks from hot-weather states and these all had the valve freeze, which would cause a check engine light. (I never owned one of these cars but this is what he told me.) Toyota ended up making the cold-weather equipment standard for all 50 states so they could guarantee federal emissions compliance after that.
Anyways I'm sure there are lots of other examples but these are some that I have learned about over the years.
