Hi all

I have a 1.4 dual carb Honda Civic 1989. It was working fine a few days ago but today it won't start. When I try to start the car, I can hear something click from the engine bay. It clicks once.
If I put the key to position 2 the only lights that are on are the OIL, BATTERY and PARKING(!) lights.

I have searched the forum for something similar but most posts relate to the fuel injection Honda Civics and the CEL light. My honda doesnt have a CEL light. Also alot of posts talk about the main relay which is in the fuse box, however looking at my car I cant see one.
Does the 1989 dual carb 1.4 have a main relay? If yes, where is it?

I measured the voltage of the battery with a multi meter and it came out as 11.6volts.

Could the problem be the starter motor? If yes is it easy to take out?

Any help on trying to diagnose the problem would be great.

Many thanks

Forgot to mention when you try to start the car, there is no cranking - the only sound is a click from the engine bay

 

The battery should have about 12.5V. Have it charged or replaced, clean the battery terminals, and then go from there.

 

"Does the 1989 dual carb 1.4 have a main relay? If yes, where is it?"

No, that is for program fuel injected systems. Yours is mechanical. From what my manuals have to say it sounds like it may be a choke issue. If you're wondering about the starter, test the power running to it. When I've had starter issues, it generally began with an awful high pitched grinding when the attaching gear won't catch. Anything like that happen? Good luck.

*RonJ of this forum has a TON of manuals in .pdf format you can download to help you out.

 

Focus completely on the failure of the starter to crank the engine, which may be the only problem.

 

Cheers Guys

I will get the battery up and running and start from there and report back.

 

Earlier I tried to jump start the car with jump leads, but still had the same problem, the honda would click once and not start (no cranking).

I have got hold of a spare car battery that is fully charged up (12.86 volts). I will put this direct into the car tomorrow. Fingers crossed this solves it.

Anything need to listen out for when I put the fully charged battery into the Honda?

 

I agree with RonJ on this. Focus on the starter itself. It's a simple thing to replace, generally.

 

Hopefully, installing a good battery will solve the problem. Post the outcome.

 

Battery only 11.6 volts is a problem. Put the good battery in and make sure the connections are secure.

Consider the engine may be seized. Try turning it by hand, counterclockwise, with a wrench on the pulley bolt (key OFF for this).

Measure the voltage at the starter (from the large terminal to the frame ground) when you try to start. If it is more than 10 volts and you only hear the click, starter is bad. If the voltage drops a lot, check the voltage at the battery and if it doesn't drop, check the big power and ground wires and connections.

After you get the car started, measure voltage at the battery with engine running. If it is less than 13.5 volts, the car is not charging the battery and it is going to run down again unless you fix the charging problem.

 

I had been unable to install the new battery this week due to work. But tomorrow I have a free day and will update then.