I have a 92 honda civic DX with a 1995 1.6L engine.

Sometimes, when attempting to start, the car will make a "click" noise, but will not turnover. The fuel pump comes on, all the dash lights (the check engine turns off after several seconds) and SOMETIMES, after a few attempts it will start. Sometimes it will start normally.

I replaced the distributor, rotor, checked all plugs and wires, and checked the coil.

The rotor doesn't always return to TDC, and to be honest, I don't know if it is supposed to?

Can anyone advise on where to go from here?

Thanks!

 

sounds like your starter solnoid is going bad

 

I agree with 94, take it part get some new contacts, chances are if you find an electric motor re-build shop, you might be able to get em for free ( i did ha ha) put the new ones in, and there ya go. With the parts it should only take what? half an hour? easy fix.

 

Yes that's the classic case of the contacts in the starter going bad. It will click but not turn; try a few times it will eventually make contact and start normally. This will get worse and worse until it will never start at all. You can do what Largen said and replace the contacts, or just pay more and replace the whole starter.

The important clue here is that the lights stay on. If it clicks but won't turn and all the lights go out, that's usually bad connections at the battery or a dead battery.

If it's a manual transmission you should be able to roll-start it.

The condition of the cap rotor, etc. does not matter when the starter is not turning the engine in the first place. The engine will stop in a random position every time, if you want it on TDC you generally need to turn it by hand.