01 Civic gauges go berserk - won't start
 

When I try to start my 01 Civic, the instrument panel gauges shake rapidly and all I hear is rapid clicking from under the hood and under the glovebox. I checked all the fuses under the hood and steering wheel and I checked the battery and cleaned the terminals. All "seems" well. I can't get it to do anything - it won't crank or attempt to start - just rapid fire clicking and gauge shaking. It's reallly frustrating because the car ran fine earlier in the day. I pulled it in up the driveway to wash it - 30 minutes later it's DEAD. (At least it's clean.) Any thoughts would be appreciated. TIA.