honda86

Ok a little over a week ago my car didnt want to start, when I would turn the key it would jus click. So I assumed it was the starter, so today I put in a new starter and it started right away. Drove home restarted it 3 more times and it was fine, then I let it sit for about 5 hours came back out to start it and it wouldnt start its only clicking again. I tried giving it a jump to see what would happen and nothing. Its 1997 civic hx completely stock. Can someone please let me know what it could be, Thanks.

TATTRAT

starter solenoid?

honda86

What u mean?

TATTRAT

Starter relay? Not into Hondas, but sounds just like when a solenoid would go bad. They just click, and occasionally the car would start.

honda86

How would I be able to check if its bad?

TATTRAT

multimeter I would think, or just replace it, should be a really inexpensive part.

honda86

Ok ill definitely look into that and keep you updated thanks alot.

Fabrik8

It's most likely a power or ground problem. The click you're hearing is the smaller starter relay switching, because it can easily get enough current to switch. There isn't enough current to switch the larger solenoid or turn the starter motor, which is why nothing happens. Luckily this is usually very easy to pinpoint and fix because it will usually be something wrong with the high current path to the starter or the return (ground) from the starter/engine to the battery. Likely suspects are broken battery clamps or corroded connections.

I'm assuming everything else in the car probably works fine if I'm correct about where the problem is.

Grab a multimeter and start poking around.

honda86

Alright the problem was that the battery terminals were loose so I tighten them up and it started right away. Thanks everyone for all the help.

Royal Durple

"Civic won't start"


I think that has been the title for about 85% of the threads on this site.