96 HX w/ 230K...

This only happens after I let the car sit for awhile (30 mins plus), and then if I shut it off right after it happens and turn it back on the problem is nonexistent:


I turn the key and I get all power/lights/radio, but no click, no turning over of the motor - nothing - and then - at least for now - about 10 seconds later of just holding my key turned the Civic starts up.


I have an aftermarket alarm, and it acted up when I pulled the headboard down today, though I think this is mere coincidence, as all I have running up there is an antenna for the alarm.

Bad connection? Starter and/or solenoid?

The thing that gets me is how it ONLY does if the car sits for more than 30 mins...

 

could be the starter-you might remove it and have it tested. They fail gradually sometimes.

Do you hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds when you turn the key? The sound should come from the back seat area...

I had the same problem, but it turned out to be a mouse had chewed thru a wire harness, so you could look around for that, too.

 

Thanks so far...yeah, I almost had the same problem on my Jeep, except that I had NO power. That was a fuel pump and faulty wires combined.

Thanks

 

I think the main relay also sends power to the starter solenoid so check out the main relay. I think that the solder joints go bad on those relays sometimes.

 

sounds like a starter problem - check contacts and clean
also, check your engine earth strap

 

think i would try this:
whenever it does that - turn the key off and connect the positive lead voltmeter to the solinoid (at the starter) (carefull that it does not touch anything else) and the neg to a ground, and go in and try to start the car.
see if you get voltage at the solinoid.

you may have a bad switch (switch where the key goes in).