Starter not cranking the engine over?

Tiny
DAVID T. SCHIFFMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 HONDA CIVIC
  • 0.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Came out to a car that wouldn't start early Thursday morning. No clicking; no lights when I turned the ignition. Tried jumping it to no avail. Roadside assistance couldn't jump it off. He said the battery tested as good (barely a year old). Tow guy got it working without jumping it. Got it to Honda where they claimed it was a bad starter. Replaced the starter. Allegedly tested the battery, alternator, and solenoid. Drove fine for 1.5 days. Shut off on me Saturday afternoon after a five minute stop. Weird because I'd stopped earlier without issue. Again there was no clicking, no flashing lights. Tried jumping it. Nothing. It took RA over a half an hour to jump it off with two boosters and changing up the ground multiple times. Had intermittent door chimes and ignition dinging before car finally started. Drove it home. Tried to restart it after a 45 minute drive. Same problem. Electrical system short?
Saturday, November 16th, 2019 AT 5:25 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,732 POSTS
Hello,

There is a starter cut relay that needs to be checked/replaced. here is a guide to help you test it and the relay location as well as the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
MONIKA HUBER STEADMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • MANUAL
  • 202,000 MILES
Our civic doesn't start unless it is jumped?
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It sounds like the battery is bad. These guides can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MONIKA HUBER STEADMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It was the battery thanks for the guides.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LIKHITH CH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.8L
  • TURBO
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 74,300 MILES
While I was driving and saw the red signal and brought the car to neutral and suddenly the car stopped. I tried to start immediately and when I turned the key there is no cranking sound, no digital display in the speedometer and it even did not start. I repeated it for two or three more times and the result is same. Then suddenly when the display has come in the speedometer I started the car and it started.

Why did the car did not crank and did not start?
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RYAN L
  • ADMIN
  • 269 POSTS
I am thinking the terminals are lose on the battery. Open your hood and make sure both terminals are free of corrosion and are on tight.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUTCH66
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 HONDA CIVIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Sterted my car after work. Drove to the store. Came out of the store ten minutes later and my car would not start. All you would here when you turned the key is a click. It would not turn over. What do you think the problem could be. I replaced the battery about a year ago. All the electric was working fine. Sam Hutchison
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check battery condition first including load test. Have starter checked or see if same power as battery is getting to starter. Or if you have an assistant try to start car and hit starter body with hammer if car starts starter needs replacing.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTIEB888
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,000 MILES
Battery is good - lights come on strong and when jumped runs fine. Fuses all look good under hood. When trying to start clicking noise and all computer icons flashing. Think it might be the solenoid on the starter. Any help is appreciated.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AJVANDYKE
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
First I would check to see if your cables or battery terminals are corroded that could cause a bunch of resistance stopping the nessesary power from reaching the starter. (If you can check to see if there is 12 volts at the starter then your cables are probably good) Then check to make sure your ground connections are good. After all that I would suspect the starter as well. Let me know how it goes and well as any more questions you would have.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CIVIC05
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 43,000 MILES
I have a 2005 Honda Civic LX with a little over 43k. The check engine light had been blinking when I start the car (stayed on a little longer), but eventually would turn off. Tonight, the car wouldn't start, even with a jump. I got it started by pushing then popping the clutch. When I put the key in and turn it to start, all of the lights on the dash come on, it just doesn't turn over. Am I looking at a starter or solenoid problem here?
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FISHERMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 937 POSTS
Hello !

Start checking the clutch switch.

Depress the pedal all the way and play with the ignition switch.

Could be a bad switch.
If test it good then remove and bench test the starter.

Good luck!
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUBBY2085
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2005 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 196,000 MILES
Hi everyone, yesterday I got in my car, I stopped to get gas when I went to leave it would not crank. First thing was check the battery and the grounds, but nothing, but some buzzing and and relay's clicking. So I got a jump and to my surprise it started. I drove it home and same thing happens. The battery is good. I am in the car right now I turn the key to the on position I can here relays clicking under the glove box and in the shifter. I try and crank it there is buzzing from the interior fuse box if I turn a thing on like the headlight it buzzes. If I turn the ac wont work or anything?
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Have you had the battery checked? Or are you assuming that you since you hear a few relays clicking the battery is good?
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUBBY2085
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I checked it with a volt meter.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
That does not tell you much of anything. You need to check it with a battery tester that puts it under load.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUBBY2085
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, I am going to take it to AutoZone just to be sure.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Sounds good. Let us know what they tell you.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUBBY2085
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I cannot believe it I changed the alternator and the battery about a month ago. But the battery was bad it was under warranty so they replaced it. Thank you.
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Our pleasure. Please tell your friends about us. If you are really happy with the help, we have a donation function, but it is not required. Just an added way you can say "Thanks for the help."
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Monday, January 4th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)

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