What’s wrong with car start button?
Q: I’ve been having intermittent problems with the push button start on my 2015 Honda Accord. Once in a while, I get a whirling sound when I try to start it and it eventually starts after a couple more tries. I’ve been told that it could be the battery or starter, but I’ve only got 32,000 miles on my car. I’m concerned that I may get stranded someday and would appreciate any advice you can give me as to what the problem could be and how to fix it. — G.J., Brooklyn Park, Minnesota A:
It sounds like a bad starter Bendix. The Bendix drive, located at the nose of the starter motor, engages the engine ring gear to crank the engine. Once the engine starts and spins faster than the Bendix, the Bendix retracts. Nobody replaces the Bendix in the starter anymore so you will need a new or rebuilt complete starter.
Q: I have a 2015 Lexus RX 350. The driver’s side lowbeam bulb started to go off then back on intermittently. I figured changing the bulb would take me less than five minutes. I opened the hood, removed the engine covers but the bulb socket was not to be seen. I took the car to my trusted garage. Here’s the outcome: In order to change what should be a $10 bulb means removing the front bumper and headlight, removing the old bulb and putting in the new, special bulb. The bulb alone cost $140. Now with labor, this cost me $200. Wow. Didn’t know I had to buy the car twice — the second time being part by part.
— A.S., Norfolk, Virginia
A: Welcome to the new world of automotive repair. Speed and ease are the keys to quick car assembly. Carmakers rely on suppliers to provide complete component assemblies with no regard for after-sale, field service. I have a Ram pickup showing a “washer fluid low” message due to a bad sensor, damaged by a certain brand of washer fluid. To replace it, the radiator must be removed, followed by the grille, followed by the washer reservoir, followed by the sensor. A couple special tools help. The sensor cost less than five bucks. So far, I have learned to ignore the warning until I find time to do the job.
Q: I enjoy reading your column and for many years I’ve been wondering why all vehicles have an RPM dial when no one uses it. What purpose does it have and who benefits from using it? It takes up a lot of dashboard space. — N.S., Center Valley, Pennsylvania
A: The tachometer is useful for drivers of manual transmission vehicles. Based on engine speed, they may select the proper gear. On cars with automatic transmissions, the tach isn’t very useful.
But it does let you know whether the engine is running or not.
Q: We bought a trickler to maintain the battery and remote start our 2007 Lincoln Town Car. The first one worked well for a while, then it stopped. We bought what we thought was a better one. The new one’s directions say not to start the car with the trickler hooked to power. The first one had no instruction like that. It seems to defeat the purpose if you need to go to the garage to disconnect to start the car. What is your professional opinion on this? — T.T., Highland, Indiana
A: I don’t know what brand or type of charger you bought, but I always follow directions on products I buy. I would also avoid remotely starting a car inside a closed garage.
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every five years. Weber’s work appears in professional trade magazines and other consumer publications. Send questions along with name and town to motor mouth.tribune@gmail.com.