Picky key fob or bad starter?
 

The past couple of days my car hasn't been starting up on the first try. Sometimes I'll sit and cycle through the Off-Acc-On cycle for 3 minutes or more before I get lucky and it starts. In my old cars when the starter in those went out it was similar behavior, but I feel like 7 years and 41,000 miles is a little too soon for an OEM one to go. Also I got a different key fob, and it's really sensitive and will set off the alarm just being in my pocket so it is just a thought. Battery is relatively new in the fob, but my old one never really had starting issues and the alarm never accidentally went off.

I was doing some reading on here and it seems like it could be a few different things that would cause it not to start. I'm going to check the battery voltage, but I did a good bit of driving on Friday so I don't think that would be it. Is there an easy way to check if it's the clutch pedal position switch without outright replacing it? Just hoping to get some ideas before I start digging into it some more.

Nope, unfortunately. I thought that at first and it seemed to be coincidence more than anything that got it going. Is there a part for the receiver of the fob signal? This is my first car that didn't use an actual key so I don't know anything about them.

If you're able to cycle through "Off-Acc-On" then your fob is being recognized by the car and your issue is something else. I would start by looking at 2 things:
1 - There's a switch which confirms your car is in Park (or Neutral) which may be malfunctioning. You could try shifting to neutral the next time this occurs and see if it cranks.
2 - Check to make sure the brake switch is functioning (do you have brake lights?) The starter won't fire if the car doesn't think you have depressed the brake pedal and the trans is in Park or Neutral.

Beyond that you get into starter solenoid and starter...

I'm not sure if it's that one since I can at least get it to cycle through the power modes. Might try the fuse anyway just to try.

I went to try to take the clutch sensor off today but it's kind of a pain. Anyone have any tips for it? Might give the ramps a shot just to give me a little more room and leverage to get to it.

Ah, manual transmission? Then in your case you need to look at the clutch interlock switch which is just above / behind the pedal. Below are a couple pics from the 2013 manual, yours should be similar. If that switch is worn or has come loose and is not registering the fully depressed pedal, you won't be able to start.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.myg...503099f511.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.myg...e2e5eb6e26.png

i recall when i did my switch i went out and found the shortest wrench i could find. theres limited movement/space there so i just gave it one hard yank just to crack the nut loose. after that just loosen by hand. u will probably scrap ur hand in the process lol. its a pain. dont forget to mark the position of old before uninstalling so u get an idea of where the switch site in terms of pedal clearance