We were told to switch the ignition switch to position 1 wait at least a second or two then start. They also said in position 1 the lights came on, they don't (that's position 2).
... solve the problem as long as I wait several seconds so that most of the warning lights have gone out.
However that is not 'normal starting procedure', not on a petrol and not even on a modern diesel.
Turn key, wait for dash witness lights to extinguish (Key, ABS, SRS etc.) then turn to starting position has been standard procedure since Mk1 - I remember being told this during my handover from the supplying dealer in 2002 and assume it applies to all Hondas.
I have never been told that and have never done it. I was aware that older diesels sometimes have a delay while the coils warm up (whatever the hell that means) but for every car I've owned or driven over the last thirty years I just put the key in and immediately turn it as far as I can they usually fire up and are running in a second, maybe two seconds if the battery is a bit knackered.
Does the push button start not have a built in pause?
There is a brief electric whine from somewhere behind the dash but I think that's the steering lock (it's not the pump, that's a lot quieter and comes from the engine compartment) but the engine starts turning over within half a second. If I choose to manually take control I have to wait three or four seconds before any warning lights start going out.
So it's:
Push.
Whirrr.
Thacker, thacker,
Vroom.
Although at the moment instead of 'vroom' it's more like 'mumble, mutter, vroom'
With a single button push the engine is usually running within a second, maybe a second and a half.
Survey: Does anyone press the accelerator while starting?
Not me. The only things I press are the brake pedal and the starter button.