Intermittent starting problem- buzz from RH side of dash/console?

[97GreenSpyder]

A couple of weeks ago I started having an issue starting my ’97 GST Spyder (automatic). I turn the key and get a ‘Bzzzzzz’ sound from somewhere in the dash or console, but the starter doesn’t crank at all. Return the key to the left, try again, and sometimes the same thing repeats, but 95% of the time, the car starts normally on the second try.

This “no start” on first try is occurring maybe 1 in 10 starts. It did it to my wife for the first time the other day and she freaked. It is not a hot-start issue, as it can occur when the car is stone-cold or recently driven.

Is there a EFI or starter relay in the dash or console that could be crapping out? I did a Search and saw that this type of problem was reported previously, but I didn't see an answer relating to the no-start being intermittent.

What’s weird is I spoke to my dad Saturday night on the phone and his ’00 Camry pulled the same thing on him (without the ‘Bzzzz’) earlier the same day. The second time he turned the key, it started right up.

I’ve personally seen this problem or something very similar on 15-20 year old Honda's and Acura's. The EFI main relay under the LH side of the dash develops cracked solder joints and will not start if it is hot. I replaced several over the years before finding-out that you can just re-solder the suspect circuit board connections and the relay is good as new.

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainr...mainrelay.html

[SLEEPS]

Silly question but how is the battery?

[Sean485]

There is a starter relay in that area but it's failure rate is fairly low. I would start with having the battery tested and cleaning up the battery terminals and inspecting the ground wires at the battery for corrosion. A weak connection will cause the symptoms you are having.

[Jayrod16]

I am having the same issue. I was told by local DSM shop its probably the starter relay going out. If you take the battery terminals off and reconnect them it should fire up. might take a time or 2. At least mine does and like you said after I do that it will run fine for about a week or so and then buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz again so have to do the battery trick until I can get it over to the shop. if I get it there and they fix it ill let you know.