Engine will not turn over? Bad starter?

Is this car a manual transmission? If so, I have seen where the clutch safety switch (located at the end of the clutch pedal) goes bad on Civics. When that switch goes, the car will not start. You can unplug it and use a piece of wire to jump the two terminals down there and the car will start. That is the first thing that I would check because it is really easy to do.

If it is an automatic, then try putting it in neutral and cranking it. If it starts then, then the problem is either that the shifter was not perfectly seated in 'P' or the range switch (aka: park/neutral switch) is out of adjustment or failing. Its job is to only let the car start in P or N.

If that does not solve the problem, then we get into checking to see that power is getting to the starter and so forth. Let us know.

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.

Also, it could just be a weak battery. Try getting a jump start:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

It sounds like you have a starter motor that is going out when it gets hot which is a sign the starter is going bad. But to be sure please follow this guide which will show you how to use a test light and check the trigger signal at the starter to confirm the failure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-starter-and-solenoid-works

Here is how to change the starter on your car (below):

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

Welcome to 2CarPros. Which parts did you change? Just had a locksmith cut new ones or did you replace the key cylinder or the entire ignition switch with a new or used one?
For all of these the repair is the same, you need a dealer level scan tool that can test the anti-theft modules to be sure they are working and then use the scan tool to erase the old keys and program in the new keys. Honda doesn't allow any DIY type of programming on their cars without the proper scan tool to access the security system.

Hi dkromm,

I would suspec the ignition switch to be the cause.

When problem occurs, check if the dash lights are on steady, flickering or missing whenignition switch is slowly turned to ON. Continue to turn to START and note if the dashlights flickers or goes off. If the flicker or goes off during both above situation, the ignition switch iis bad.

There was a safety recall for the item and you can check with your local dealer if the recall applies to your vehicle.

When the switch is faulty, it could be providing insufficient power to the starter and when that happens, you get nothing at the starter.

When starter grinds, it could be due to a bad flywheel/drive plate ring gear or starter gear.

Hi Yonex,

I suspect you park/neutral position switch is the issue. Basically you are applying power to the solenoid and it bypasses all the wiring and fuses including the P/N switch. I attached a wiring diagram that I traced in red the normal flow of power. In blue is what you are doing when you jump to the solenoid.

If the vehicle doesn't think it is in park or neutral then it will not allow the start. Try shifting to Neutral and see if it starts. Sometimes it is just the park position on the switch itself that gets worn out and so the PCM doesn't see park but it does see Neutral.

Let me know if this makes sense or if you have any other questions.

No problem at all. It is basically the same principal except the switch is called the clutch interlock. This tells the PCM that the clutch is depressed which says it is okay to start the vehicle. If you look under the dash on the driver side on the clutch pedal arm, you will see the switch. There is a chance that it is just out of adjustment so I included that procedure. It is worth trying before replacing the sensor.

Try resetting security system it may be the culprit. a lot of times it happens like this. if you have a key type system try another key as yours may be worn out. See link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

If it cranks when it is jumped then you have canceled out the starter being the cause. How did you test the battery? Load test? What is the sitting voltage of the battery? How are your connections? Those ground terminals like to corrode where they bolt up to the frame.

I would recommend getting your battery load tested and cleaning and re-torquing the battery and cable connections!