Hi,

We have a 1994 Honda Civic CX hatchback, manual transmission. We have a problem that we *think* is related to the starter. It's been quite cold (-6C in the day, -13C at night). And we don't drive that often, generally once, maybe twice per week. Last week, we tried to start the car. All the dash lights were on full-strength, but the car didn't turn over at all. We tried a few seconds later and it turned over a little, but it was extremely slow. After a few seconds, we tried again and it turned over a bit faster and the car started. We drove around and the car started fine during that trip when we turned it off and started it again.

The next day, it did basically the same thing. But it only had to be started twice instead of three times for the car to turn over. I found this all quite odd and theorized somehow that the starter was extremely cold and the "zaps" from the battery somehow juiced it up enough to crank. But of course this was just a theory.

Today -- a week since the last time it was started -- it didn't turn over at all. Period. The battery seems absolutely fine. We decided (since we have a standard) to kick-start it. Which we did and it started up fine. We drove around for a while, thinking that if for some reason it *was* the battery, it would charge to a point. So that when we turned off the car again it should in theory turn over at least a bit if it was the battery for some reason. But it did *exactly* the same thing again. In that it wouldn't start at all and the starter made no sound whatsoever. Which, I think, means it's the starter. As the car ran fine after we kick-started it. Anyway, for some reason, about 10 minutes later, we tried *again* to start it and it made that "clicky-clicky" sound from the starter. Any time I've heard that sound in the past, it seems to me the starter was kaput.

So, I guess I'm looking for opinions. Does it seem to be the starter? What do you think?

The Hans

 

clicky clicky sounds mean the starter contacts inside it arnt arking and turning the starter. Replace the starter and i bet it will be fine.

 

As an addendum to my original post, we just tried to start the car again -- about 1/2 hour since the "clicky-clicky" sounds -- and it started up fine. What gives?

The Hans

 

ya its bad... the click click sound is the solinoid kicking in BUT the main motor is going bad.... if you push start it and its fine than definatly the starter...

tho you MIGHT want to check the wire plug on the starter. if it works alittle at times thiers a chance it could be a corroded terminal.
but EITHER WAY before buying a starter have the old one tested out!

 

thats what they do when they go out. next time it doesnt want to turn over/start have someone tap the starter with a screw driver and i bet it will start. When it goes click click click click its your points inside the starter are to thin and you can either replace the starter or replace the points inside it

 

Hi,

How can I check the starter to make sure it's the starter that's the problem? I know I have to remove a particular wire from the starter and use a particular terminal from the battery. But I'm not sure which and how. Do I use the + or the - from the battery? Can anyone tell me?

The Hans

 

to test the start out you can simply take it off the car and take it to a autoparts store and they should have a machine to test it with.....

but you can simply run a small jumper wire from the batterys + terminal and touch it to the spde terminal on the starter with it on the car. if it still goes slow or still not right then its definatly the starter BUT if it spins over instantly then it could be a corroded or busted starter wire going to the starter....

 

It does sound like your starter is about worn out. They do the sometimes start, sometimes not, thing for a while then give up entirely. Do check that the big wire on the starter from the battery is secure. That's about all it could be because the rest of the car always has power, proving the battery and connections at the battery are OK.

The jumper wire test is useful but potentially dangerous because the car could move if the starter goes. Be sure the key is off (to make sure it won't actually start), car is not in gear, set the brake and don't stand in front of it.

 

Might want to replace the battery if it hasn't been done lately too. I've heard the click sound from just not enough power.

 

Well, we replaced the starter and that seems to have done the trick. We're crossing our fingers anyway. Thanks to all those who offered help and suggestions!

The Hans