Rebuilding a Honda Starter 2013-2017. A Rebuild Just Might Be the Best Option!

[@travisengel4623]

I was having the same problem and I came to the same conclusion, but could not find anything else on this issue. Thank you for the breaking it down!

[@EdHumble]

There was a redesign of the starter during this time frame. I bought the later kit. Through mixing and matching, I got it better than stock!

[@AndyLovette]

Thank you, Elvis!

[@DC5Angelo]

Honda oem starter is around 300-400

[@holton345]

Are you saying that part number 04312-PSA-305 is NOT the correct, upgraded kit? If it is not can you please share with us the CORRECT part number or at least a link to the source where you found yours? Also, note that the motor you are talking about is ONLY for the auto tranny. The version used to fit the 6-speed box is Mitsuba SM-74010. I believe the only difference might be the length of the plunger; I think the manual and auto transmissions use flywheels that set the ring gear at a different depth/distance from the starter. Thank you.

[@EdHumble]

It apparently depends on when the car was produced. I never was able to find the correct kit. I used parts from the kit I bought and parts from the existing starter to make my rebuild. Apparently there was a mid-year design change. Catch is the new kits don't fit the old housings. The biggest issue is a redesigned battery connection.

[@christopherboothe6587]

31210-5A2-A01 is the correct part number, but you can't readily find it on Amazon or eBay. 04312-PSA-305 is for earlier model Hondas but it is available and can be modded to work plus it has the thicker, larger copper parts. My starter made it to ~135K miles and my brushes were 1/3 gone, so I wanted to replace all of them. Also if you reuse your old plastic body, that copper piece that is embedded in it is thinner than the new copper parts. It apparently works, but isn't ideal IMO. So I dremeled the new plastic body so I could use it. This way all brushes are new and all the copper parts are new and improved. Also, I had to reuse my old top bolt. The one that came with 04312-PSA-305 was a bit too long for me to get the cap back on. I just finished the install today and everything works. Here's the one I used.... www.amazon.com/Starter-Accord-69-85200-1-04312-PSA-305-31210-PSA-J51/dp/B08CD1KXCW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Starter+Brush+Kit+For+Accord+Civic+CRV+TSX+RDX+05+06+07+08+09+10+11+12+13+14+Acura+03-06+69-85200-1+04312-PSA-305+31210-PSA-J51&qid=1620687519&s=automotive&sr=1-1

[@EdHumble]

@@christopherboothe6587 Thanks for Posting this.

[@duaneafields]

Genuine Honda Holder Set Brush 31210-5A2-A01 on ebay or amazon

[@duaneafields]

By the way I fixed mine Honda starter with that brush set. Put it all back together after cleaning the inside of the starter and using the red sticky Lucas Grease in certain spots from a KZbin video I watched. I took my starter that I rebuilt to O'Reilly's and my friend hooked it up to the machine to test it and he said it works just fine it's just not showing 100% power it was 91% power. He said that's because it's the original motor inside there and they do wear out. This was on my 2012 Honda Civic LX 1.8 L with 160 thousand miles on the original starter motor. Ended up fixing it for $14. If I knew a little bit more before I bought the $14 part, in addition I would have also bought the spring, I forgot what it's called but there's a large spring in the starter that is only 5 dollars. I would have replaced that since I had it all apart at the same time. The hardest part of the build was putting the little tooth washer on top of the plastic spindle so it fits in the groove.. I think I ended up using a 5/16 inch deep well socket and pushed it on evenly. Taking off the passenger wheel and using four 6 inch extensions with a taped bendu socket adapter helped tremendously for starter bolt removal. Took 1 hour to remove 8 bolts and squeeze clips. Most of the time is spent with the plastic pieces on the underside of the vehicle. Well to those who read all that you'll be able to fix your original starter also, a genuine honda starter cost 350$ plus. Thats why i kept mine. Just take your time and don't get frustrated when the mosquitoes and no-see-ums are biting. LED work light and cell phone light helped. Use jack stands and rear tire blocks, set parking brake. Use your harbor fright multimeter to test your starter motor resistance on each copper tab. Two of my starter motor tabs we're really bad and broken . I just sanded and cleaned them with 300 grit paper lightly until started Shining. Fun project , You.ll get it her done.

[@ramboollie8115]

Thanks I really appreciate your knowledge .

[@BarryStuart99]

Bought an ebay starter for my niece's 2013 Accord, and it failed about 6 weeks later. The supposed warranty was a sham, so I disassembled it to determine the issue. I found a broken plunger, and cracked pieces of the brush holder 'peg' you mention. I ordered one of the brush replacement kits off ebay, but found a curious problem: the new plunger is apparently too long. The solenoid engages, but the copper washer never makes contact with the two copper plates. Stranger still, the old, broken plunger is the same length as this new one...so I've no idea how it ever worked before it broke. Any ideas?

[@EdHumble]

The first design of this starter had multiple issues. Most of those I addressed in the video. I used a SECOND generation rebuild kit on a FIRST generation starter. The FIRST generation starter plunger is TOO SHORT. That was addressed in the SECOND generation rebuild kit.

[@yslheav]

What was the brand or ebay shop you bought from if you don't mind me asking? I just bought one and hoping it works when i receive it before I can get an OEM one.

[@erics7014]

Thank you Sir.