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Engine is not cranking bad starter?

Tiny
BILLIEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 HONDA CIVIC
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150 MILES
Had starter checked and ignition. A buzzing noise every now and again coming from around the ignition
Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 AT 11:48 AM

26 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It can be a starter relay, battery in poor shape.

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.

check the stuff in pic first then check to see if power is coming to the starter relay at the one point leading to starter. also check your starter cut relay inside car. either one of those could cause a no start.
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you want to remove and replace ignition switch see pics. You have to take out steering column first though
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
BILLIEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Cool thank you. It was the starter motor I got a new one from amazon worked great!
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
PENELOPE111
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 74,860 MILES
I'm actually not sure if this is an electrical problem, but the battery tests good, the cables/connectors are pliable, clean and secure, we have replaced the starter and alternator, and no diagnosis codes come up. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it revs (and doesn't start), sometimes it just clicks repeatedly (and doesn't start). The headlights go dim when you're trying to start it. After it won't start, the factory alarm indicator blinks repeatedly, and sometimes the alarm goes off. All of the preset radio stations are lost. It will start with a jump or by compression.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You have a battery and or cable problem, Check the condition of BOTH cables at both ends, then retest the battery with a load tester.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Checking the battery w/o a load tester or VAT machine-

Do this:

Get a voltmeter hook it up on the battery observe polarity record reading-Now disable the ignition-then look at the meter while a helper cranks engine over for 10secs no more-the voltmeter should hold 9.6volts in that 10secs if not get a new battery or charge up and try again same results replace the battery.

For the cables you need to do a voltage drop
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If you di it Razz's way, remove the fuel pump relay, gas will pump while cranking otherwise.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Oops! I forgot that Merlin good heads up-TY

So what's happening with this Hondo -is it on the road yet-need more help comeback-
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If this is a maintenance free battery, check voltage only when it can't start. High possibility of internal open circuit which happens intermittently. Seen many cases of it happening.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LAWRENCEFRIEDLAND
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 HONDA CIVIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Car wont turn over. Battery wont build up and speedfometer shakes. Will not push start
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
If the battery is dead, it will never push start. The system must have 12 volts to operate.

Start with a fresh battery and have the charging system checked

Roy
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ACSILVA81
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 90,000 MILES
I try to start the car and it makes a clicking sound.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Check the state of charge on the battery. You most likely have a dead or low battery if it's a rapidly clicking.

If it only clicks once when you go to start the vehicle you may have a starter motor failure which will also need to be diagnosed.

First thing I would do is try and boost the vehicle though. Goodluck.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAVNISTIC
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2003 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Well, it happens when I start the car. Starter does not engage and the car just clicks repeatedly and very fast, it sounds like the clicking is coming from in the car and under the hood. All the lights in the instrument cluster flash in time with the clicking. It happened for a little while and then stopped about 5 to 6 months ago, and now it is back. Used to be that you could try a few times and it would start right up, now it does it almost continually.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Hi ravnistic. Welcome to the forum. This is a sign of a battery with a dead cell or dirty / corroded / loose cable connections. Start by measuring the voltage between the two battery terminals. A fully charged battery will measure near 12.6 volts. If you find around 11.0 volts, charge the battery and retest it. If it comes up to normal, you may have a charging problem. To check it, measure the battery voltage again while the engine is running. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts.

If you do find around 12.6 volts when the engine doesn't crank, clean and tighten the battery cables, charge the battery if necessary, then see what happens.

Caradiodoc
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMCAT 1414
  • MEMBER
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  • 2002 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Put battery cables on wrong and blew a fuse. I don't know what fuse it is the ignition, will not start. Happened before and it was fuse. Need to know what one.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I attached the location of the main fuse that normally fails when the cables are crossed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

It is an 80 amp fuse. I attached the location for you to view.

Roy
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RENEEKAT17
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 206,000 MILES
LX model 5 speed transmission. I was driving, the instrument panel gauges all dropped to zero, then jumped back up when I shifted. Then they dropped again, stayed down. Drove home (about one to two miles), turned off the car, and then tried to start it lots of clicking and instrument lights blinking, but no start (see video). Next day, I tried to start it and it started, but I did not drive it. Today, it will not start again. No codes reading on it, as I had reset the codes several days ago for the EVAP system to get it smogged. It passed smog, and all those problems happened on my way back home. Replaced battery and alternator in the past two months.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

It sounds like a dead battery. I realize it is new, but I need you to check to make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. Also, I want you to perform a real easy load test on the battery. Since it started after this happened and now won't, I feel something is loose. Also, the gauges dropping make me think the same.

Follow these two links and let me know the results.

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
REBELLIOUS2019
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 234,000 MILES
I've changed the thermostat, water pump, timing belt and a tension pulley and now my car will not crank! Can someone tell me why I am hearing a clicking noise behind the glove box an my check engine light, oil light also a key symbol light is flashing while the key isn't in the ignition? I have checked all the fuses an I have also checked the battery an the battery posts, I have checked everything that I can think of and my car will still not crank. So if anyone knows the answer to my question please let me know. Thank you to who ever sees this post and thanks to who ever responds.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)

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