Starter

STOUTR

MEMBER
1994 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
190,000 MILES

My son left his car at a reputable tire center. Locked the door with the key so the car was off.

While waiting, the mechanic came back stating he had a bad starter and the the car bucked across the parking lot - without a driver and without the key.
If this possible in a 1994 Honda Civic 5 speed?

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

This is something that is hard to swallow.

Was any of the gears engaged?
How about the handbrakes?

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Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 AT 2:19 PM

STOUTR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

This is hard for me to swallow as well.

It was in first gear and the parking brake was on.
How does electricity get to the starter if there ignition is off.

Appreciate the response

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Thursday, February 17th, 2011 AT 5:03 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Is vehicle installed with remote starter?

A bad starter would not do it but a faulty wiring circuit can. If the starter relay decides to contact cna crank the starter, it would crank the engine and make the vehicle move forward but it is not going to start the engine so the speed should not be too high.

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Thursday, February 17th, 2011 AT 5:40 PM

STOUTR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

No remote starter. Car supposedly bucked across the parking lot over 50 feet. Even if it started, how would there be enough fuel to move the car that far? Wouldn't it just sputter and die?

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Thursday, February 17th, 2011 AT 7:05 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

If the ignition swtch is not turned on, there would be no fuel and the movement is dependent on the starter alone.

The starter would most probably have been fried by then.