97tn4x4

Let me start off by saying I just bought the car 2 weeks ago and this is my first post. The car is a 96 DX coupe that somebody at some point put a y8 in, before I got it the PO put a new timing belt, water pump, distributor, plugs and wires, brakes, clutch and axles. I've read a bunch of various threads on this site and got a bunch of useful info. My problem started today when it rained, this is the first time its rained since I've owned the car. It cranked up fine when I left and when I got to the store and came back out to crank it I just got a loud rapid clicking noise. After a couple times it finally started and on to my next stop, this time I had to let it roll and pop the clutch to get it to start cause all it would do is click. Now when I got home and tried to restart it for giggles it seems like the battery is dead, when I turn the key the lights go dim on the dash. Its odd though cause it seems that radio still comes on so t battery cant be too dead. I may should also add that when I was trying to start it and got the clicking noise each time I'd have to reset all the radio settings. Sorry for the long post I'm just hoping someone can give me some incite cause I know nothing about Hondas lol.

turbohatch96y7

iTrader: (15)

Batt dead

Check alternator

97tn4x4

When it was clicking at first after a couple tries it cranked up fine. Even when it's been 10 degrees at night it's been cranking fine. So is something getting wet and shorting out or is just coincidence that it's going bad? When it slacks up raining I'll go out and check the battery.

turbohatch96y7

iTrader: (15)

Could be the key switch

I just had a problem very similar to this

Do you know how to use a multimeter?

97tn4x4

Yep, I was gonna use mine to check the battery voltage and amp draw when trying to crank it to see if everything is working right. I'll also check for anything wet around the starter.

turbohatch96y7

iTrader: (15)

batt should have at least 12v.
Also check continuity from the starter body to the battery negative

If thats all good and the starter still doesnt turn over get a 10 gauge cable and jump the key switch.

basically attach the 10 gauge cable to the starter solenoid and the other end to the positive cable on the starter. (The cable that goes to the battery)

if the starter turns over like that then i would check the key switch, If it doesnt then either the starter is worn.

97tn4x4

I checked the battery and had 12.8 volts, so I pulled the battery and took it to autozone to have checked just to be sure and all was fine. Went back home and pulled the ground wire off the shock tower and cleaned both ends really good and sanded it down to metal on the tower side, cleaned the positive really good as well and put it all back together and bam, fired right up. Are these cars that finicky with corrosion on the battery terminals? My ram will crank with the terminals so corroded they look welded on lol. Also noticed it seems the trunk may be leaking just a tad but that's another issue for another day. I appreciate your point to the battery, I was convinced it was a short somewhere, glad it was something so simple.

turbohatch96y7

iTrader: (15)

Yeah every car is the same.


If the battery terminal was tight the corrosion would be build up around it and still make good contact. If the terminal is a little loose itl build up between the battery post and the terminal.


All your electrical ties back to your battery. Current flows from neg to positive I a circuit.

97tn4x4

Yeah there was just little on the inside of the terminals, didn't figure it was enough to hurt it but guess it was.

turbohatch96y7

iTrader: (15)

Your car could be trolling your *** and not start tomorrow so don't get your hopes up

97tn4x4

I just drive to get something to eat and it was fine, we'll see in the morning. That is my luck though, the real test will be when it rains again.

angrysmileyface

It still could be a failing battery. Anything over 3 years of age could be problematic. Around 4.5 typically for me my 93 basically becomes hard to start intermittently

97tn4x4

The battery shows it was bought 08/13 but who knows, so far today it's been fine and its idling a little better. So maybe it was just a poor connection. I'll find out when it rains tho.