# 2002 Honda CR-V morning start mystery **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** cr-v, honda\ **Created:** [August 31, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104 "2018-08-31T22:30:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FrederickMoss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@FrederickMoss](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FrederickMoss)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/1 "2018-08-31T22:30:44Z")
I have a 2002 Honda CRV with 295000 miles. The car still runs great. However, when I go to start the car in the morning I often, not always, turn the key and nothing happens. I turn the key back, sometimes remove it and try again and the car starts. Sometimes I have to do this more than a few times. It is a moment of panic every morning. It does not happen again for the rest of the day. But will often happen the next morning. The car is a manual transmission. I have changed the starter and the ignition switch. And switched to my back up key. Of course, the dealer can never replicated the problem. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/2 "2018-09-01T17:26:30Z")
The problem might be with the clutch pedal inter-lock switch. [https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/honda,2002,cr-v,2.4l+l4,1386334,electrical-switch+&+relay,clutch+pedal+position+/+starter+safety+switch,16665](https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/honda,2002,cr-v,2.4l+l4,1386334,electrical-switch+&+relay,clutch+pedal+position+/+starter+safety+switch,16665) This switch prevents the starter from operating unless the clutch pedal is depressed. Tester ---
**Author:** ![FrederickMoss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@FrederickMoss](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FrederickMoss)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/3 "2018-09-01T17:41:19Z")
Thank you very much. I will check it out. This problem has been nagging me. I appreciate the help. Frederick S Moss ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/4 "2018-09-02T00:45:17Z")
Another idea, might be a battery problem, or the battery posts and connectors need to be cleaned. Replacing the starter and ignition switch eliminates quite a few possibilities, but there’s still a few more to go. If you can get your battery’s condition tested, probably something worth trying. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/5 "2018-09-02T19:23:02Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > The problem might be with the clutch pedal inter-lock switch. Or the floor mats, and just not pushing the clutch pedal hard enough first thing in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/6 "2018-09-02T23:29:38Z")
On most cars the clutch safety interlock theory can be easily tested by just shorting it out and seeing if that fixes the problem. If so, replace the part and re-connect. I had to do that on my Corolla one time. ---
**Author:** ![FrederickMoss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@FrederickMoss](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FrederickMoss)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/7 "2018-09-12T14:20:44Z")
I replaced the clutch pedal interlock switch and the problem appears to be resolved. Thanks to everyone for their help. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/8 "2018-09-12T15:42:30Z")
And thank you for reporting back! I had the same failure on my 1984 Cavalier and just twisted the wires together - I was the only driver and knew the starter would then run even with no pressure on the clutch pedal. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 1:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-honda-cr-v-morning-start-mystery/124104/9 "2018-09-13T01:17:20Z")
Good for you OP. Thanks for the great feedback.