SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Car will not start, Battery was replaced 2-3 Months ago, All lights and stuff work when turning the car on, but no start. I think it's a Starter, would that be most likely the issue? Car is a 1998 Honda Civic EX, 5 Speed Manual. Anyone know how much a Starter is for one of these cars? Someone has had to replace a Starter in one of these on here. Is it easy? I'm hoping to do this myself. Thanks for the info in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Define "no start". Does the motor turn over? If so, it isn't the starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Define "no start". Does the motor turn over? If so, it isn't the starter. No, nothing, just lights and stuff come on. Oh and Car has like only 60k on it. It's a "grandmas car". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Either the starter or the relay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Relay? Like a big Fuse in the engine bay? Like real easy to fix for cheap? I need to fix this ASAP as my wife is taking her to work and I am picking her up from work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Ok SO I called Autozone and a Starter is $119.99 with a $62 core charge In stock. Can this be had cheaper somewhere else? Also I asked and the relay is a Dealer item only. Ok Called Roush Honda, $264.64 with a $60 core, and the main relay is $48.32 and not returnable if not needed. Both are not in stock. So would you buy the Autozone Starter or is the "Honda" starter worth the extra cash. My Mom will be keeping this car for quite a while (like at least 5 years or more) so that kinda matters. Any ideas on an even cheaper Starter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Possibly a security or ignition related issue. Does it have a security light in the dash? If so what does it do? Does the starter click? Depending on model the starter may be pretty easy to get to, simplist thing would be to check voltage at the starter while attempting to crank. As for actually buying a starter, I have always had good luck using NAPA's line, but I usually buy from places you can't. Advanced and Autozone is just a crap shoot, a lot of their stuff is decent but you nevr know. So much of it is made in China anymore. If it's not too hard to change I'd just buy whatever has a lifetime warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty2Hotty Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Ok SO I called Autozone and a Starter is $119.99 with a $62 core charge In stock. Can this be had cheaper somewhere else? Also I asked and the relay is a Dealer item only. Ok Called Roush Honda, $264.64 with a $60 core, and the main relay is $48.32 and not returnable if not needed. Both are not in stock. So would you buy the Autozone Starter or is the "Honda" starter worth the extra cash. My Mom will be keeping this car for quite a while (like at least 5 years or more) so that kinda matters. Any ideas on an even cheaper Starter? I can get ahold of parts here, gimme an hour or so and I can PM you a price. When I owned my accord the common problem was a distributor on them. I'm not sure if the civic is a kin to it, but it would crank without starting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Scott, car does not crank at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug1647545489 Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Does the starter relay click when you try to start it? You can also probe to see if there is voltage at the relay or starter while trying to crank it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Possibly a security or ignition related issue. Does it have a security light in the dash? No, she has an after market Alarm and it works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 No, she has an after market Alarm and it works fine. There is a realy in those that can burn out too. You should check voltage at the starter. Also I have seen the safty switch go bad, so see if it starts in neutral, just a long shot but simple to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Does the starter relay click when you try to start it? You can also probe to see if there is voltage at the relay or starter while trying to crank it. I really haven't seen it myself yet, just going by what my Mom has told me. All she said was no noise at all when she goes to start it, but al the lights and HVAC blower are working when you turn the key. The car is 10 years old. New info, She told me this morning that it grinds now when she tries to start it. I talked to her lastnight, and now she tried to start it again this morning so now it is making noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Still think it may be the starter now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Maker Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 You trying to relay here what's happening to a car being described to you over the phone by someone who (probably) doesn't know much about cars is probably going to get you nowhere fast. Go check the car out for yourself and see what it's doing. But also do what some of these other people said too (check voltage at the starter). And what Kenny said below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Still think it may be the starter now? Sounds like it doesn't fully engage. Smack it with a hammer, sometimes that will free it up enough to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Push start it. If it runs, then throw a starter in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Sounds like it doesn't fully engage. Smack it with a hammer, sometimes that will free it up enough to work. Good idea, I remember when Joe had his Cobra he used to do that to get it to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 You trying to relay here what's happening to a car being described to you over the phone by someone who (probably) doesn't know much about cars is probably going to get you nowhere fast. I know this, but that would set me back a day most likely, this way I have a bunch of sugestions by the time I get off work and Go try to fix it. I need info first. BTW thanks to all that have posted so far. Big help. Thank You. Keep the ideas coming please, I don't want to listen to my wife be mad because she has to take her to work in the morning much longer. Once is enough, trust me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Also I should see 12V at the starter with a multi meter correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Also I should see 12V at the starter with a multi meter correct? Touch the negative and positive together and see if you get spark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Also I should see 12V at the starter with a multi meter correct? Yeah, but if it's grinding you'll have power. Sounds like a starter, unless the flexplate is screwed up (not likely). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Yeah, but if it's grinding you'll have power. Sounds like a starter, unless the flexplate is screwed up (not likely). Thanks man. Anything else? Tricks, tips in doing the work to make it easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Also where the hell is the starter on the motor. If I look I'm sure I could find it, but if I know where to go, it will save me a few minutes, it is supposed to be cold tonight, help a brother out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 I want to say it's on the front of those engines but I can't remember for sure. Just disconnect the batt. unhook the couple wires, un-bolt, and install new starter in reverse order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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