OK. I think I figured it out. The electrical system makes sure the key is the real key before you turn the car on. If you turn to position 3 right after you put then key in that may not be enough time for the car to recognize the key. Is anyone following this or reading this thread anymore? When I give the car time to respond to the key, it starts fine everytime. When I just put it in and turn, it doesn't come on sometimes. I think you're supposed to wait for that green key at the bottom of the display to flash three times before you turn the car on.

Regarding the electrical system recognizing the key - whenever I start my car, I just stick the key in and turn right away. It's never acted up on me. Maybe dirty contact surfaces in your case?....or something else.

I thought that to be the case. It seemed to me, that most people would just do that too. I wait in position 2 before turning the car on, but there is nothing in the manual that says you have to do that. I'll tell honda about this too.

Yeah. It definatly isn't functioning like it should. Hopefuly honda will agree.

My hydroponics experiment

You ever notice how hard it is to lip read cartoon characters?
"Crazy is what the sane call Delta Flyer"

My battery was dead and Honda wanted $150 to put in a new one. I did that myself. As for the bucking, it was the all too famous EGR valve. This little guy cost me $260 with parts and labor. Not a ton, but it's hard to swallow 5 months out of warranty. I know this is a common repair on the hybrids. Thanks for all your help and I'll post my receipt. On a side note, when I disconnected the battery to put in the new one my radio will not work due to hondas ways. I have no idea what my code is to reset the radio, I hope honda will have it ready for me tomorrow.

My radio code was on a business card included with the owner's manual.

My radio code is in the glove box on a little white sticker. Yours may be too.

Rich

Previous car - 2003 Civic Hybrid
LMPG - 47.1

The Universe is a Leaky Umbrella

Hmmm... I'm not at the computer that has my hondalink login on it, but I seem to remember seeing my radio code on there in the "info" section on the car. Once you go there and set up a hondalink account and add your VIN, then the website keeps all the pertinent information on your car. (My Accord Hybrid is financed through Honda Finance, too, so I can log in there and do a 2-click car payment online and save a stamp.)