I have a 98 Honda Civic that won't start. I jumped it once to get it started, and I was able to drive it home, but the gear indicator on the dash kept flashing (along with the lights on the vent controls) and a clicking sound can be heard from under the dash. The sound is like the clicking when the turn signal is on only at slower intervals. Now the car will not start, and I can hear the clicking as soon as I get in the car - before I have even put the key in the ignition.

I bought the car used, so I do not know the history of the vehicle. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

You are likely hearing your main relay, which is really 2 relays, click. I'm not sure why it's clicking when the key is removed.

Hopefully, this will help you locate it and fix it:

http://techauto.te.funpic.org/civicrelay.php

Thank you for the response. The clicking sound is actually coming from the driver side, right above the fuse panel. I will try pulling the dash panel off and locating the exact component... Thanks.

I know the picture shows it on the passenger's side. However, most Civics that I've seen have the main relay mounted on the driver's side kick panel. Will be interesting to find out what you discover.

That clicking sound is from an old car alarm I suspect... It is the relay connected to your parking lights that is clicking. The car likely will not start due to a starter or ignition interrupt circuit preventing power from reaching the starter and/or ignition. Depending on the quality and origin of the installation, you may have to go to varying lengths to resolve the problem. Easiest thing to try first is, disconnect the battery, then turn the key on to the 2nd position (right before "start"). With the key in this "on" position, re-connect the battery. Most alarms will automatically default to dis-armed when you do it this way. You should now try to start the car and see if it works.

If that doesn't work, then try to locate the "valet" switch. Depending on the installation, the switch can reside anywhere in the car but usually nead the drivers kick panel or up under the dash within reach of the driver. It will be a small, usually black colored, pushbutton momentary switch. If you locate this button then try pressing the button with the key turned to the "on" position (2nd click again). The clicking noise in the dash should stop, and you should be able to start the car...

Last and most difficult, you will need to dig around in the dash and locate the alarm "brain"... Unplug the brain from the wiring harness to stop the clicking noise. Then, remove the steering column plastic cover, and look for any wires that have been cut, and spliced in with an intervening device wired between the two severed ends of the wires. That will be the starter or ignition kill relay. Cut out that relay (CAREFULLY) and re-atach the previously spliced wire to its self. (MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT THE Same WIRE BACK TO ITS SELF, MATCHING COLOR OF WIRE AND ANY STRIPE COLOR ON THE WIRE.) If you're uncomfortable doing this, find any local alarm installation shop and ask them for some assistance. They can help you... I used to install professionally many moons ago during my college days, and many times had to help folks fix malfunctioning alarms.

Hope that helps.