Log in

View Full Version : Need to start my Honda Civic


Captain Mortgage
Aug 11, 2006, 10:36 AM
Hi, I have a 93 civic and it decided to stop working the other day, doesn't even try to start. I tried jumping it but that does't seem to work. I just checked this website here and realized that there are about 7-8 different things that it could be, and I would probably have to take my axel off to get to this stuff. But my question is. How can I start my car without a working starter? I remember in my buddies chevy I could just stick a screw driver somewhere but I'm not really sure where I could do that with my car. All I want to do is get my car started and get it to a mechanic who can fix it for me.

TxGreaseMonkey
Aug 11, 2006, 12:05 PM
Battery could be bad. Put it on a charger and see if it holds a charge. Summer heat is very hard on batteries.

Captain Mortgage
Aug 11, 2006, 12:06 PM
Battery could be bad. Put it on a charger and see if it holds a charge.


Tried that, The battery's good

TxGreaseMonkey
Aug 11, 2006, 12:09 PM
Wack the starter solenoid with a mallot and see if the car will start.

TxGreaseMonkey
Aug 11, 2006, 12:10 PM
Check all under-dash and under-hood fuses with a multimeter.

Captain Mortgage
Aug 11, 2006, 12:10 PM
Seriously? Also where is the starter in that car? I'm not very mechanical with cars.

Captain Mortgage
Aug 11, 2006, 12:12 PM
All the under-hood fuses are good, didn't check the under-dash fuses though. I'll check them when I get home

TxGreaseMonkey
Aug 11, 2006, 12:16 PM
Yes, if the solenoid is hanging up the starter won't get electricity. It's just below the distributor and to the left.

When you turn the ignition ON:
. Does the Check Engine Light come on?
. Does the Check Engine Light stay on or does it go out after 2 seconds?
. Do you hear the fuel pump run?

If all of that checks out and it's just that the car won't crank, I'd focus on replacing the starter solenoid and, if need be, the starter. If the solenoid is not getting power, it could be a fusible link (wire fuse) issue. Other possibilities are bad connections, faulty ignition switch, or faulty clutch interlock.

Captain Mortgage
Aug 11, 2006, 01:02 PM
The check engine light comes on then goes off after 2 seconds. The lights work, the radio works.

Don't know what the fuel pump sounds like.

When I try to start it. It clicks once, and then nothing

TxGreaseMonkey
Aug 11, 2006, 01:19 PM
That sounds encouraging. Likely, it's a bad starter solenoid--easy to replace. It may even just be corossion on the solenoid terminals.