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Car Forum / Honda Cars / November 2006

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1993 Civic VX won't start

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google@quietquake.com - 29 Oct 2006 20:31 GMT
About 2 months ago my 1993 Civic VX Hatchback just plain wouldn't start
one day. Took out the battery (7 years old by that point), put in a new
one, started like a champ.

I seldom use the car (3-4 trips a week at most of no more than 5 miles
per). Six weeks after replacing the battery, the car once again
wouldn't start. Wouldn't even turn over. Just got a clicking from the
engine. Interior and dash lights worked fine, though. After a few
attempts at starting, the headlights were weak; I charged the battery
back up and still had the same problem starting. A friend led me
through some testing which seemed to indicate a dead starter. So I
pulled that, got a refurbished one, and put it in.

Now the car still won't start, but has come up with a new failure mode:
When I turn the key to position II, I get rapid clicking from under the
left side of the dash, somewhere above the fusebox. Basic Googling has
turned up a couple posts that suggest the main relay. Any other
possibilities? What testing can I do?

Thanks much,

Sasha
motsco_ - 29 Oct 2006 22:50 GMT
> About 2 months ago my 1993 Civic VX Hatchback just plain wouldn't start
> one day. Took out the battery (7 years old by that point), put in a new
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Sasha
-----------------------------------
Follow the black wire from the battery to where it bolts to ground.
Unbolt and clean it, putting some petroleum jelly on it.Then clean both
battery terminals in a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of baking
soda dissolved. Put petroleum jelly on them as well and put it back
together.

'Curly'

'Curly'
TeGGeR® - 30 Oct 2006 15:46 GMT
>> About 2 months ago my 1993 Civic VX Hatchback just plain wouldn't
>> start one day. Took out the battery (7 years old by that point), put
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>> Googling has turned up a couple posts that suggest the main relay.
>> Any other possibilities? What testing can I do?


> -----------------------------------
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> baking soda dissolved. Put petroleum jelly on them as well and put it
> back together.

Ditto. And clean the battery terminal posts as well, with some
sandpaper.

Finally, check the battery's State-of-Charge:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq4.htm
Just because you get 12V when you check it doesn't mean it's fully
charged!

Signature

TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

me - 01 Nov 2006 04:03 GMT
Mine did that just 3-4 weeks ago. The rapid clicking sound. Car would not
start. Happens that for some resaon, my 12v connector on the positive
terminal had become a bit loose. I still have trouble explaining why all the
lights would turn on fine but a soon as I cranked it, it would die. Anyhow,
check your connections first as it could be just as stupid as that. My vx is
fine now
good luck

> About 2 months ago my 1993 Civic VX Hatchback just plain wouldn't start
> one day. Took out the battery (7 years old by that point), put in a new
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Sasha
TeGGeR® - 01 Nov 2006 04:36 GMT
> Mine did that just 3-4 weeks ago. The rapid clicking sound. Car would
> not start. Happens that for some resaon, my 12v connector on the
> positive terminal had become a bit loose. I still have trouble
> explaining why all the lights would turn on fine but a soon as I
> cranked it, it would die.

Because the lights are low-draw devices. The starter is a high-draw device.
Bad connections can make the starter draw every available amp the battery
has, leaving nothing for anything else.

Signature

TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

 
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