What starter should I buy ?
Posted by Stelarsummer52@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 29 comments
So I just bought a 2006 Honda crv that doesnt start, PPI and myself think its a starter problem and im looking to buy and replace the starter myself. The thing is I don’t know if I should buy a new one at 90 CAD$ or a refurbished one at 250CAD$ (like a Denso). What difference is there between a 90$ one and a 250$+ one ? On amazon a brand like A Premium sells it a 90$ new with good reviews. What should I do ?
Stelios619@reddit
If you’re ok with the car being down for a few days, you likely have a place in town that rebuilds starters and alternators.
Find one, give them a call, let them know what you have, and they’ll tell you if they can rebuild your factory one.
In a lot of cases they can rebuild them with premium parts, giving you something better than what you can typically buy online.
boatsnhosee@reddit
Usually I just buy whatever they have at the local auto parts and they refund you a core charge when you bring back the old starter
Cranks_No_Start@reddit
The starter in my F150 lasted 25 years. So when the time came to buy another one…I bought a Motorcraft.
If you plan on keeping the car…spend the extra and buy an oem.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Yeah I would like to preserve this 2006 crv for as long as possible I think I will have to buy a 300$ one
Cranks_No_Start@reddit
It’s worth it, especially if you place a value on your time. I have seen some of the inexpensive starters just fail over and over and while they will replace it, the effort involved isn’t worth it.
No_Educator_6376@reddit
Some auto parts stores have lifetime warranty on starters if you plan on keeping the car for many years you will end up replacing the starter a few times and getting a free replacement down the road is helpful save your receipt.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Thats where the 300$ one sounds nice 😂, I want to keep that 06’ crv for as long as the frame will allow it
Dniershy1@reddit
Denso is the oem manufacturer. Are you looking at a denso refurb?
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
yeah denso refurb indeed
Dniershy1@reddit
If you want oem reliability I would suggest buying the denso. Whether it’s refurb or new.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Are napa starters trust worthy ? Im looking at denso starters and I have to ship them from Parts avatar (Canada) and the core charge is 150$, I would like to buy it from my local NAPA store you know
ClickKlockTickTock@reddit
Napa is the only brick and mortar place that still sells decent parts. I'd take denso over it, but I'd take a napa over anything amazon.
FunRaise6773@reddit
I don’t recommend buying car parts from Amazon. I also prefer new over reman when the price is close.
Rockauto sells several starters with the hearts indicating which choices are popular. Keep in mind that core charges do have postage back of usually $5-7.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
I don’t really know Rockauto, im in Quebec, Canada
Content-Insect-8770@reddit
Check out wrench-monkey
Signal-Confusion-976@reddit
You should have it diagnosed first. It could also be the wiring, fuse, or even a relay. I believe the intake has to come off to replace the starter on that car. So it might not be an ideal diy repair. But either way spend the money on a quality starter.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
The starter has power you can hear it try to crank the engine every 3-4 tries
Signal-Confusion-976@reddit
That can still be a bad connection or corroded wire. You should check for a voltage drop at the starter. You might want to bring it to a shop to diagnose and replace it. I don't think you want to be pulling the intake in your driveway.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Okok yeah might not be a bad idea, I actually tried to do a (tap) test on the starter but I forgot to test the power with a multimeter at the same time. I really want to avoid paying a shop to repair it because I want to save the money.
Signal-Confusion-976@reddit
I understand that people want to save money. But are you capable of pulling the intake off?
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Yeah I have the tools for this and have already started loosening every bolt and parts needed to replace the starter while waiting to see which starter to buy.
Signal-Confusion-976@reddit
Also be aware you might get 12 volts at the starter but a bad wire or connection can carry the amps. I've been in the auto repair industry since 1983 and don't really recommend doing this job at home.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Okok I see, thank you for your advice ! I came here to get opinions on the matter and I sure did, Im taking notes of what you said but I might still try to do it myself 😂
Signal-Confusion-976@reddit
My final advice is don't be cheap on the starter.
Tony-cums@reddit
Honda OEM.
worldlead3r@reddit
I owned a 2006 CRV for many years. I miss it dearly.
My starter went at around 200k kms.
I bought the Amazon one.
It lasted EXACTLY one year. Just a day or two under the one year warranty.
Thankfully, I had kept my original starter. I brought the original to a remanufacturer, they gave me a rebuilt Denso.
Spend the money ONCE, and do the job ONCE.
It's worth it.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Yeah that’s what im starting to think, I dont want to replace it 2-3 times. How long did your Denso one last for ?
worldlead3r@reddit
Until I sold the car at close to 300k kms. I'm sure if the car is still on the road today, it's still in there.
The job is also pretty easy to do at home with basic tools. I could do the whole job in under 1.5 hours.
Stelarsummer52@reddit (OP)
Well I sure hope my new starter lasts until 300k kms, its at 157k kms right now and yeah imma do the job myself, doesn’t look that complicated