I have a 90 Civic EX and it will not start unless I pop the clutch. I removed the starter and had it tested at two different parts stores, both said it was bad so I replaced it. Car still won't start, does exact same as before. When I turn the key the panel light light up fine and I hear the solenoid click but that's all it does. The engine doesn't even try to turn over. What should I check next? HELP!

 

Could be the actual starter wire from the ignition to the starter itself.

Is there an aftermarket alarm in there?

 

Possible could be the sire because when I short the starter to the battery, on contact-it starts. Checked the switch-good and removed the clutch switch and shorted the plug, also shorted the starter switch similar to POS 3 when it should start and same symptom. Where does the wire come from that goes to the starter solenoid? Maybe I could ohm it out? Also, I have a book but it doesn't say there are any relays anywhere in the book or in the schematics. I'm beginning to think it could be the ignition coil or the igniter. In my car those are both located in the distributer-which, might I add-looks like it wouldn't hurt to replace but its over 4 times the cost of the ignition coil.

 

I think there is an after market alrm in there somewhere because there is a switch loose under the dash that looks like a kill switch. But the alarm is not connected or turned on? I don't have an alarm that I know of but there are remnants of one, including the little speaker in the engine bay.