88 Honda Civic Won't Start

Werras · #1 Jan 4, 2006, 08:24 PM

Hi there, and thanks in advance for any help or advice you may have.

My Honda Civic recently stopped starting altogether (it hasn't been an intermittent problem, it simply stopped starting one day and hasn't started since). I had been driving it off and on for much of the day, but I the engine was only off for 3-4 minutes before I tried to start it and it first stopped working. It had been sitting for much longer periods not too much earlier in the day. When I opened the hood it seemed rather hot so I let it sit for awhile, but to no avail. I can still use the radio, lights, etc. and I can push start the car and it seems to run fine that way.

Anyways, when I attempt to start the car, I hear a sharp click (not sure if that was there before or not) and the lights dim and the radio goes off, but no noise from the engine other than a hissing sound I could hear from engine when I had the hood up and someone turning the key to the ignition position. As I said before, the car is push startable and the lights work. Also, the battery is about three months old, and when I went to check the ECU, there was only the one flash from turning the key to II and then nothing.

Is there anything I can do to locate the source of the problem, before I resort to taking it to a mechanic? I read the FAQ at the top of this forum but a lot of it seemed dependent upon the ECU codes; sorry if I missed something. Thanks again for any help you may have.

lansa_coder · Jan 4, 2006, 09:12 PM

Does your engine turn over?

I would turn my key to run (position II) and nothing would happen. No 2 second fuel pump charge, no lights on the dash, no clock, no power windows. Turning the key to start would crank, but the engine would die as soon as I stopped cranking.

However, if I provided a slight bit of pressure counter-clockwise on the key, voila, the lights would come on and I could then start the enging (turning to position III). While I originally assumed my issue was the Main Relay, I am now think it is the ignition in the steering column.

My issue also did not cause an error code.

Werras · Jan 4, 2006, 09:33 PM

Nope, doesn't crank at all. I've got lights and everything, but the engine does absolutely nothing.

jackd · Jan 6, 2006, 03:35 PM

check your battery cables...one or both are loose...take them off the battery and clean the terminals and reinstall the cables...make sure the connectors are tight!!!!! good luck

Werras · Jan 8, 2006, 03:05 PM

It lives! My step-mom (who drove the car for about 8 years before I did) and I were poking around, checking fuses and cables and what not, when she remembered that there was a small wire that occasionally came unplugged, from the vibration of the engine I guess. After searching for a few minutes, we located the culprit: a small wire that plugs into the starter motor, underneath the large one that comes from the battery. According to a AAA guy who fixed it a few years back, Civics from around this year occasionally have this problem. Perhaps you guys could make an addendum on the Honda Civic FAQ at the top, in case this is the situation with anyone else's car. Thank you to the two people who replied with suggestions, as well.

labman · Jan 8, 2006, 03:53 PM

Glad you found the problem. I don't post much in automotive having put much of what I know in the FAQ. Dig down far enough in it and you find ''Then follow the positive cable to the solenoid. It is a fat round thing either on the fender or starter. It has 3 connections, the fat wire from the battery, a smaller wire from the starter switch, and another wire to the starter or a short shunt if directly on the starter.'' My smaller wire is the one that fell off your car.

Don Vetter · Feb 7, 2006, 08:14 PM

Help! My 84 Honda civic (CA Model ) 4 cyl starts and runs until it warms up then dies, once it's cold it will start and warm up and then die. I have hooked up a timing light and started it OK ,timing light flashes, and once warmed up the timing light stops flashing and the engine dies. All electrical panel light Ok, full battery charge. I have checked the coil and replaced the rotor and distributor cap. Is there a heat sensitive sensor that is shutting off the spark to the engine. I have no books just trouble shooting from my experience. Help

cperkins1 · Mar 18, 2006, 01:56 PM

Hey, is there any way that someone could get a pic of this so i can have a visual, mine is doing the same thing right now and i dont know if there are wires that i might be looking for that arent there

thanks in advance

andrewmike · Dec 17, 2008, 12:33 AM

Be sure to pay attention to the security light- could just need to relearn the key resistance.. I have had them both ways- wouldn't crank and also had would crank but not start.

andrewmike · Dec 18, 2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewmike

Be sure to pay attention to the security light- could just need to relearn the key resistance it might touching the car covers.. I have had them both ways- wouldn't crank and also had would crank but not start.

And also
-Start by cleaning your batter terminals and connectors. Still nothing?
-Take the battery to your local auto parts store and have them test it for charge. Battery good?
-Check your underhood fuses. It might be the 50amp one with a little window on the top.



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