Auto Parts: Honda Accord Starter, auto repair manuals, battery cables

Question
Hi Mike,

I had a starter installed by a kid whose "mechanic ability" I now have my doubts about.

I have a 1997 Honda Accord 4cyl, and the starter went out. I bought a cheapie starter at AutoZone, and he installed it.

It worked fine for a week or two, then died. When I tried to start the car, it wouldn't turn the (brand-new) battery over at all, but when you turned the key OFF, the starter would continue this buzzing/whining sound for about 10-15 seconds.

I took it back to AutoZone, they gave me a replacement. The kid put it in again, and, SAME EXACT THING. It worked for a couple of weeks, and now nothing. (Same buzzing noise after you turn the key off.)

Now, I know this is one crappy starter, but even a cheapie AutoZone should last longer than this, shouldn't it?

Do you think this guy did something backwards installing it, or can you think of anything else that might be causing this, other than just being a cheap part?

(I purposely got the cheap part, because I'm just trying the minimum $ to get this 13 yr old car ready to sell).

Thanks a lot!
Rick

Answer
    I doubt if the starter's bad.  My guess is that a wire got hooked up incorrectly.  Sometimes this can happen, especially with the starter, and you don't find out for a while because the car is using the wrong circuit as a ground.  You need a color-coded wiring diagram to sort it out.  Honda has parts books online, but not wiring diagrams.  Most public libraries carry the big all-makes auto repair manuals, and they have wiring diagrams in them.  Get that straight, then maybe blame the starter.  Also check the battery cables at both ends to make sure they are in good shape.  Bad cables are the most common starting problem in old cars.