Civic Wont start

On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:26:58 -0700, "Elle"
<honda.lioness.RemoveThis@spamnocox.net> wrote:

>Start with the battery connection. Clean the battery
>terminal with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda
>to one cup of water. Rinse with water. Tighten connection.
>
>For further troubleshooting,
>http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#startrun
>
>Strong candidates for failure (causing no start) for early
>1990s Hondas are: Main Relay, ignition coil, and igniter.
>
>"vsal" <none.RemoveThis@000.com> wrote
>> Ok i just bought a 93 civic it been sitting for a lil bit
>> and the
>> owner never had a problem starting it also i didnt ether
>> when i got it
>> but once i brought the car home and try to start it again
>> i get
>> nothing no sound from the engine. i no its not my battery
>> cause my cd
>> player and lights work still. o yea also the conection to
>> the postivie
>> side of the battery is a lil loose but its still on do i
>> need a better
>> conecteion?
>>
>> --
>> Posted at author's request, using moderated
>> http://www.AutoBoardz.com interface
>> Thread archive:
>> http://www.AutoBoardz.com/Civic-Wont-start-ftopict247539.html
>


Doesn't it take a lot more power to turn over the engine than to turn
on lights or a CD player? I've had cars that did both of those things
(well, cassette machine anyway) yet were too dead to start the car.

I like your Main Relay though.That got me last year.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

"dgk" <dgk.DeleteThis@somewhere.com> wrote
> On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:26:58 -0700, "Elle"
>>Start with the battery connection. Clean the battery
>>terminal with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda
>>to one cup of water. Rinse with water. Tighten connection.
>>
>>For further troubleshooting,
>>http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#startrun
>>
>>Strong candidates for failure (causing no start) for early
>>1990s Hondas are: Main Relay, ignition coil, and igniter.

> Doesn't it take a lot more power to turn over the engine
> than to turn
> on lights or a CD player? I've had cars that did both of
> those things
> (well, cassette machine anyway) yet were too dead to start
> the car.

I agree. Just because the car's lights and CD player are
working does not mean the battery is in good enough shape to
start the car.

Seems like this group gets a couple reports a year of
loose/corroded connections to the battery terminal being the
cause of a run/start problem, as well. People really ought
to get under the hood at least once every six months with
the baking soda and water solution and a water spray bottle
and clean the terminals.

I am amazed how much corrosion builds up and can't stand to
think what it does to my battery and the electrical system
in general. The negative terminal is usually the dirtiest
part of my engine compartment. I was helping a friend the
other day (new battery last summer) and, upon trying to
unscrew the terminal holddown bolt, sheared the darn thing
right off from all the corrosion and spent an hour getting
the remaining bolt out of the terminal clamp.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

vsal wrote:
> Ok i just bought a 93 civic it been sitting for a lil bit and the
> owner never had a problem starting it also i didnt ether when i got it
> . but once i brought the car home and try to start it again i get
> nothing no sound from the engine. i no its not my battery cause my cd
> player and lights work still. o yea also the conection to the postivie
> side of the battery is a lil loose but its still on do i need a better
> conecteion?
>
=====================

Tap the starter with a small hammer. Your brushes are getting short (or
the commutator is a bit burnt) and they aren't providing a path to
ground for the solenoid's current. That's why you're hearing nothing.

I'll provide a good link later . . .

'Curly'
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

"Elle" <honda.lioness.TakeThisOut@spamnocox.net> wrote in
news:CtP3k.80$3q7.37@newsfe15.lga:

> "dgk" <dgk.TakeThisOut@somewhere.com> wrote
>> On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:26:58 -0700, "Elle"
>>>Start with the battery connection. Clean the battery
>>>terminal with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda
>>>to one cup of water. Rinse with water. Tighten connection.
>>>
>>>For further troubleshooting,
>>>http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#startrun
>>>
>>>Strong candidates for failure (causing no start) for early
>>>1990s Hondas are: Main Relay, ignition coil, and igniter.
>
>> Doesn't it take a lot more power to turn over the engine
>> than to turn
>> on lights or a CD player? I've had cars that did both of
>> those things
>> (well, cassette machine anyway) yet were too dead to start
>> the car.
>
> I agree. Just because the car's lights and CD player are
> working does not mean the battery is in good enough shape to
> start the car.
>
> Seems like this group gets a couple reports a year of
> loose/corroded connections to the battery terminal being the
> cause of a run/start problem, as well. People really ought
> to get under the hood at least once every six months with
> the baking soda and water solution and a water spray bottle
> and clean the terminals.
>
> I am amazed how much corrosion builds up and can't stand to
> think what it does to my battery and the electrical system
> in general. The negative terminal is usually the dirtiest
> part of my engine compartment. I was helping a friend the
> other day (new battery last summer) and, upon trying to
> unscrew the terminal holddown bolt, sheared the darn thing
> right off from all the corrosion and spent an hour getting
> the remaining bolt out of the terminal clamp.
>
>
>

heh,there's always something that screws up what should be a
straightforward job!

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik DeleteThis @abuse.gov> wrote
>> I was helping a friend the
>> other day (new battery last summer) and, upon trying to
>> unscrew the terminal holddown bolt, sheared the darn
>> thing
>> right off from all the corrosion and spent an hour
>> getting
>> the remaining bolt out of the terminal clamp.
>>
>>
>>
>
> heh,there's always something that screws up what should be
> a
> straightforward job!

Yessir, it was one of those. Then I went to Autozone,
Walmart, and Checkers, and none have the requisite IIRC 8 mm
(square head) battery terminal bolt. *&^%$ I jury rigged it
for the day and on my monthly sojourn to the local junkyard,
I got another one. Dumb little thing but I try to get things
right.

For some real fun: The local Honda dealer called me
yesterday saying they have had a real run on used cars. They
asked if I wanted to sell my 91 Civic! Of course they mostly
wanted me to trade it in and buy new, but the opening line
sounded like a true report of the used Honda market right
now. I laughed and said in fact I was looking for a used
Civic for a friend right now. Had a good chat, despite my
repeatedly telling the sales guy I am not buying a new car
anytime soon, and I am particular about my used cars. He
said he'll call with the next beater that comes in.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

motsco_ wrote:
> vsal wrote:
>> Ok i just bought a 93 civic it been sitting for a lil bit and the
>> owner never had a problem starting it also i didnt ether when i got it
>> . but once i brought the car home and try to start it again i get
>> nothing no sound from the engine. i no its not my battery cause my cd
>> player and lights work still. o yea also the conection to the postivie
>> side of the battery is a lil loose but its still on do i need a better
>> conecteion?
>>
> =====================
>
> Tap the starter with a small hammer. Your brushes are getting short (or
> the commutator is a bit burnt) and they aren't providing a path to
> ground for the solenoid's current. That's why you're hearing nothing.

There's one other thing that happened to me: My add-on antitheft system
malfunctioned and disabled my Civic, so I couldn't start it. It mistook
me for a thief.


--
Steven L.
Email: sdlitvin.TakeThisOut@earthlinkNOSPAM.net
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

Elle wrote:
> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik RemoveThis @abuse.gov> wrote
>>> I was helping a friend the
>>> other day (new battery last summer) and, upon trying to
>>> unscrew the terminal holddown bolt, sheared the darn
>>> thing
>>> right off from all the corrosion and spent an hour
>>> getting
>>> the remaining bolt out of the terminal clamp.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> heh,there's always something that screws up what should be
>> a
>> straightforward job!
>
> Yessir, it was one of those. Then I went to Autozone,
> Walmart, and Checkers, and none have the requisite IIRC 8 mm
> (square head) battery terminal bolt. *&^%$ I jury rigged it
> for the day and on my monthly sojourn to the local junkyard,
> I got another one. Dumb little thing but I try to get things
> right.
>
> For some real fun: The local Honda dealer called me
> yesterday saying they have had a real run on used cars. They
> asked if I wanted to sell my 91 Civic! Of course they mostly
> wanted me to trade it in and buy new, but the opening line
> sounded like a true report of the used Honda market right
> now.

Wow! I've got a '95 Honda Civic EX, great condition, only *80,000*
miles on it (haven't driven it much due to my health problems). I
thought I would have to pay a junk dealer to haul it away. Sounds like
I could still sell it!


--
Steven L.
Email: sdlitvin RemoveThis @earthlinkNOSPAM.net
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

"Steven L." <sdlitvin RemoveThis @earthlink.net> wrote
E wrote
>> For some real fun: The local Honda dealer called me
>> yesterday saying they have had a real run on used cars.
>> They asked if I wanted to sell my 91 Civic! Of course
>> they mostly wanted me to trade it in and buy new, but the
>> opening line sounded like a true report of the used Honda
>> market right now.
>
> Wow! I've got a '95 Honda Civic EX, great condition, only
> *80,000* miles on it (haven't driven it much due to my
> health problems). I thought I would have to pay a junk
> dealer to haul it away. Sounds like I could still sell
> it!

I'd pay a lot of money for a 95 with only 80k miles on it
and in good condition (no head gasket problems; preferably
working A/C). Right now, I am happily settling for 120k to
175k miles on the 88-92 Civics and CRXs I am considering.

Lately, per the suggestion of "JT" here, I have found
Craig's List to be very good for buying and selling used
autos. At least, there is much to choose from, and it seems
where I live, there is a handful of people on it who post
that they are looking for used Hondas.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:33:08 -0700, "Elle"
<honda.lioness RemoveThis @spamnocox.net> wrote:

>"Jim Yanik" <jyanik RemoveThis @abuse.gov> wrote
>>> I was helping a friend the
>>> other day (new battery last summer) and, upon trying to
>>> unscrew the terminal holddown bolt, sheared the darn
>>> thing
>>> right off from all the corrosion and spent an hour
>>> getting
>>> the remaining bolt out of the terminal clamp.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> heh,there's always something that screws up what should be
>> a
>> straightforward job!
>
>Yessir, it was one of those. Then I went to Autozone,
>Walmart, and Checkers, and none have the requisite IIRC 8 mm
>(square head) battery terminal bolt. *&^%$ I jury rigged it
>for the day and on my monthly sojourn to the local junkyard,
>I got another one. Dumb little thing but I try to get things
>right.
>
>For some real fun: The local Honda dealer called me
>yesterday saying they have had a real run on used cars. They
>asked if I wanted to sell my 91 Civic! Of course they mostly
>wanted me to trade it in and buy new, but the opening line
>sounded like a true report of the used Honda market right
>now. I laughed and said in fact I was looking for a used
>Civic for a friend right now. Had a good chat, despite my
>repeatedly telling the sales guy I am not buying a new car
>anytime soon, and I am particular about my used cars. He
>said he'll call with the next beater that comes in.
>
Yeh right.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

motsco_ wrote:
> vsal wrote:
>> Ok i just bought a 93 civic it been sitting for a lil bit and the
>> owner never had a problem starting it also i didnt ether when i got it
>> . but once i brought the car home and try to start it again i get
>> nothing no sound from the engine. i no its not my battery cause my cd
>> player and lights work still. o yea also the conection to the postivie
>> side of the battery is a lil loose but its still on do i need a better
>> conecteion?
>>
> =====================
>
> Tap the starter with a small hammer. Your brushes are getting short (or
> the commutator is a bit burnt) and they aren't providing a path to
> ground for the solenoid's current. That's why you're hearing nothing.
>
> I'll provide a good link later . . .

======================= LINK:

http://www.hondasuv.com/members/showthread.php?t=20252&


 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

"Steven L." <sdlitvin DeleteThis @earthlink.net> wrote in
news:F4WdnR8VQ6oEus3VnZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@earthlink.com:

> motsco_ wrote:
>> vsal wrote:
>>> Ok i just bought a 93 civic it been sitting for a lil bit and the
>>> owner never had a problem starting it also i didnt ether when i got it
>>> . but once i brought the car home and try to start it again i get
>>> nothing no sound from the engine. i no its not my battery cause my cd
>>> player and lights work still. o yea also the conection to the postivie
>>> side of the battery is a lil loose but its still on do i need a better
>>> conecteion?
>>>
>> =====================
>>
>> Tap the starter with a small hammer. Your brushes are getting short (or
>> the commutator is a bit burnt) and they aren't providing a path to
>> ground for the solenoid's current. That's why you're hearing nothing.
>
> There's one other thing that happened to me: My add-on antitheft system
> malfunctioned and disabled my Civic, so I couldn't start it. It mistook
> me for a thief.
>
>

my add-on Black Widow alarm system with starter lockout didn't keep thieves
from stealing my 94 Integra GS-R last June 29 at 3:40 AM.
It took them less than 60 seconds to break in,start it,and drive off.The
alarm went off when they opened the car door,but they drove it off a few
seconds later,push-starting it,as I observed from my bedroom window.
(newly gated community,too.)

the alarm was still blaring and lights flashing as they drove it down the
street.

If you really want to keep your car from being stolen,install a hidden fuel
cutoff switch in the power line to the fuel pump.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start 

Elle wrote:
> "Steven L." <sdlitvin.RemoveThis@earthlink.net> wrote
> E wrote
>>> For some real fun: The local Honda dealer called me
>>> yesterday saying they have had a real run on used cars.
>>> They asked if I wanted to sell my 91 Civic! Of course
>>> they mostly wanted me to trade it in and buy new, but the
>>> opening line sounded like a true report of the used Honda
>>> market right now.
>> Wow! I've got a '95 Honda Civic EX, great condition, only
>> *80,000* miles on it (haven't driven it much due to my
>> health problems). I thought I would have to pay a junk
>> dealer to haul it away. Sounds like I could still sell
>> it!
>
> I'd pay a lot of money for a 95 with only 80k miles on it
> and in good condition (no head gasket problems; preferably
> working A/C).

Well, if the dealer can fix that A/C problem, then it will be working
within a few more days.


--
Steven L.
Email: sdlitvin.RemoveThis@earthlinkNOSPAM.net
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.
 >> Stay informed about: Civic Wont start