2007 Accord intermittant start

[Dave66]

Problem started within the last 2 days. Get in the car, insert key, turn to start car but the starter doesn't crank. All dash lights are on and I hear a clik when I turn the ignition key. Try it a couple of times and it finally starts. Here are the things I've tested:

1. Battery voltage reads 12.86V. Terminals clean.
2. I disconnected the ignition lead on the starter and connected a voltmeter between the ignition terminal and ground. Turned the key a dozen times and every time it read 12.4V. I'm thinking it may be the starter.
3. Remover starter and took it to a local auto part shop for testing. They say it works fine.

Now I am kinda stuck. I don't think it is the neutral safety switch as I saw 12V each time I turned the ignition. Nothing is completely ruled out yet. I suppose it still could be the safety switch

So I bought a new starter but I'm hesitant to put it in as I'm not sure that is the problem and want to be able to return it if necessary.

Put the old starter back in as I don't completely trust the part store testing. After everything assembled, I turned the ignition and no joy. Tried it a couple of more times and it started.

So was the auto part shop testing worthless and the problem is really the starter? Any way to definitively test a starter? I'm probably putting too much thought in to this...

Thanks for any help.

Dave

[somick]

Try to test-load the battery since voltage alone will not give you a clear picture.

Good luck,

Sam

[jeffcoslacker]

Kinda hard to do if you're alone, but when you catch it going click with no crank, hold the key over, don't release, and have someone tap the starter body with a hammer. If it rolls over and starts, the starter has a dead spot in the commutator or something of that nature. Go ahead and put that new one on.

If that does nothing, continue to hold in start positon, move the shifter around to check for a dead spot in the NSS, and have your helper pull and wiggle all the related starter wiring. If it pops off and starts, you've got a bad connector, cooked primary wire, etc.

The click you hear...stout enough to be the solenoid on the starter, or just a faint relay-type click?