No starter? It is not cranking the engine over?

Tiny
GHUNDERTMARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
When the weather turns cold (about freezing at night) the car will not start. (No trouble above 40 degrees or so) The battery cranks and it almost starts but it will not. This only happens in the morning. It usually starts later in the day when the temperature gets a bit warmer. After the initial start I have no problem for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014 AT 12:48 PM

36 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Have you had the battery tested yet? These guides can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
GHUNDERTMARK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Battery was changed end of last winter when this problem was first evident but it must have gone bad because it failed the test in the guide. Thank you for your help.
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Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
KICKER303
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 115,000 MILES
Sometimes car will just make a clicking sound when turnning the key and notting will happen. Once it starts, it will work fine for a while then it will do it again. I had the starter checked out and it was fine, what can it be?
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
If what you hear is just one click, and after several turns of the ignition key the vehicle starts, your starter is on the way out. There are "dead" spots in the starter brush causing to electrical contact. But after several turns of the key, the starter lands on "good" contact spots, and it is working again. The problem will worsen overtime, though.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUGEN1987
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Its the reley for the petrol pump, either replace it or solder the conections.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MATTSCHULTZ
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Honda Civic 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

Hey I got a 99 civic we boosted ran fin for about a week, then a starter bolt broke off and replaced the whole thing, now the car wont crank makes one click and gets a weird noise from the disturber looks ok under the cap no blown fuses, new batteries, what would this problem be?
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
You might have a weak connection somewhere.

Put a voltmeter on the battery, what is it reading? Now Put the positive lead on the main power wire on the starter (with the 12mm nut) you should have about the same voltage. (Minimum of 12.1V) If that checks out, remove the soleniod wire (the male terminal with the black boot) put the positive lead on it and get someone to crank the vehicle. You should recieve voltage while the vehicle is being cranked.

Let me know what you find.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HONDA9985
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
Have a 1999 1.6l honda civic si, First my spark plugs went out, I changed them, and my car started and drove fine for a couple days, then my starter went out, I changed that, started it up for 10 mins, then shut it off. I then tried it again to make sure and it wouldnt start. The starter is brand new. I put the starter in correctly. All it does it try starting, doesnt kick over at all. Just the starter trying to get it started. I was thinking maybe the timing is off and my timing belt is bad since the car has 115,000 miles and ive only had it for 15,000 of them. Could this be the problem and that it just skipped a couple teeth or? If you know the problem, please explain to me how I can fix it so I can get it started!
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JPAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 307 POSTS
Well even a newer starter can be bad. Lots of new starters are rebuild ones anyway. Take it back out and try to jump the starter. With battery charger. And see whats it doing. Need more details write back.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HONDA9985
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No the starter is fine, you can hear (and feel) the starter on the flywheel and it trys to start, but it just doesnt want too. I was able to get it going just a little (to the point where it sounded like only 1 cylinder was going) it sounded like crap and it didnt sound very healthy either. Like I said, the starter is fine, it just seems like theres no spark, (plugs and wires are brand new). So the only conclusion I could think of is the time belt skipped a couple teeth and its out of time so it wont start. Ie need a new timebelt. But im not sure.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JPAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 307 POSTS
Ok I copy. Have no clue other wise. Sorry & good luck
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
C.NICHOLS0402
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 160 MILES
Car wont start just makes one loud click followed by a faint buzzing sound. Thinking it could be the starter but dont want to waste money on a new one if im wrong.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Have the battery checked first. Try using a jump start to test if it works.

If not, give the starter some knocks with a mallet and if it works, the stater is due for replacement.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAB4
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
When ignition key is turned to start engine will not crank. Battery is fully charged, and accessories work fine. A repeating clicking sound (similar to a turn signal) comes from under the dash behind the steering column, but it is not the turn signal flasher.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi rab4,

Test for power supply on starter wire coming out of ignition switch. If no power, the switch is bad.

Test for power supply to starter solenoid when the key is turned to start position.

If there is power, the starter is bad.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELEYDAD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
The battery went dead when the car was unused for a few months. When I recharged the battery it failled to turn the engine over so we attempted to tow start the car. The engine refused to start and all you can hear is a clicking sound comming from around the glove box. Could this be something with the emobiliser or a fuse? Any tips would be appreciated. The clicking seems to come from the same place as the click heard when the engine management light goes out.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HITEK
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
The first thing is the battery, second is the starter.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MVANNESSJR
  • MECHANIC
  • 223 POSTS
If the battery has been dead long enough and it zero's out it won't take a charge at all. It probably needs replacing anyway. Start there.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DALEHUFF
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ive had the same problem before when my 98 Civic EX sat in storage for 2 years. Couldnt even jump start it because the battery was so dead. Try replacing the battery or take it to Autozone and have them check it. By the way, I dont think you can tow start these Hondas. I know, because I tried the same thing.

Regards,

Dale
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)

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