SpecialRequest

I replaced both of my battery cables with OEM ones since the previous cables were corroded beyond belief, and I tried to start my car but it won't not even crank.

All of the electronics work when the key is turned, and I can hear the fuel pump prime, so I don't believe the battery is bad. I can't say it's the starter since prior to replacing the cables the car still started up fine. I'm stumped here, any ideas?

'96 Civic CX with D16Y7 engine, bone stock

civic402lx

Check all connections. Ground cable may not be secured.

mk378

A stock ground cable has two lugs, the one in the middle of the cable goes on the body frame and the one at the end goes on the transmission.

Have someone turn the key trying to start while you test with a voltmeter. First test on the battery posts. Put the probes on top of the lead posts that are part of the battery not the cable terminals. If that voltage drops below 9 when trying to start, the battery is run down or defective. If battery is OK next test the ground system with one lead on the engine block and one on the battery (-). That should stay close to 0 when trying to start. Finally check the positive side the same way, one lead on battery (+) and one on the big terminal of the starter where the battery cable connects. This should also stay close to 0 volts.

2x0

Clean all contact points on the terminals and ground connections to the chassis! A wire wheel or wire brush is best, even sand paper works.

This is especially important when switching cables, because the old ones undoubtedly left some corrosion at each contact where it wasn’t air tight. The new cable lugs will make contact at different points than the old ones, and might only be contacting through the corroded material.

that_boy_sammy

You probably shorted something. Check some fuses. If all the dash lights are coming on have someone tap on the starter repeatedly with something heavy(breaker bar or big wrench). Ive seen a starter short out after someone replaces a cable end. You have to do it right, disconnext negative first!

NVturbo

You grounded out the fuse. I'm guessing you let the (+) positive wires make contact with the chassis.

REMOVE GROUND FIRST, INSTALL GROUND LAST.

SpecialRequest

Would using a different bolt on the chassis to ground the negative cable wire

I used a wire brush to clean the battery posts, but only cleaned the ground connection for the negative battery cable. If it helps, I used another bolt to help secure the ground to the chassis as the original bolt went somewhere in the engine bay and can't find it ugh

Even when the car's electronics was not on? The previous cables were loose and wouldn't secure to the terminals so the car was not on anyways. Could the fuse still be affected even then?

NVturbo

Once both terminals are connected, it will provide +12VDC power. Some electronics may not get voltage until it's in ACC position but that's irrelevant at the moment. Check your fuses. You screwed up somewhere, obviously.

mk378

Turn the headlight switch on. Do the headlights work? If not, leave the switch on while you use a voltmeter to find out where the voltage is being lost.

SpecialRequest

Got it. If I ended up damaging my starter, I'll end up buying another one.

This blows.

Headlights work and fuel pump primes in the ON position

mk378

As the body-related electrics seem to be working, you should concentrate on whether the engine is grounded and if the big wire from the battery + is properly connected to the starter, and if the small wire on the starter got disconnected by accident.

If car is manual you could try to roll-start it.

tony_2018

did you wire up the starter to the battery properly? Is the starter-cut relay, or the start signal wire making contact?

NVturbo

lesson learned for you

SpecialRequest

Turns out the small wire was disconnected by accident, but I plugged the small wire back in and it still didn't start.

I ended up disconnecting the wires and took the starter out to have it tested at a local O'Reilly's. They informed me the starter is fine, so at least I can scratch that off as the culprit.

Still can't get the car started.

mk378

You need a voltmeter. No one can see where electricity is going (or not) without one.

Use a test wire to jump the starter small terminal direct to the battery (+), the engine should crank (so make sure car is in neutral with brake set). This test the battery, starter, and main power and ground cables.

SpecialRequest

Update:

I put both the battery and starter back on after both of them tested out fine, cleaned out the battery terminals with 120 grit sandpaper, replaced fuse #42 which was blown, and reconnected the cables (including the small wire that I missed initially) with the ground installed last. What do you know? It started up perfect!

I'm guessing fuse # 42 blew when I tried to start it up after I forgot to plug the small wire in. In any case, I'm not beating myself up over it because at least I was able to know how to take the starter out and made sure all of the connections and grounds were cleaned up so I learned a few things from it in the process.

To anyone else reading this, check your fuses first before attempting anything else I did. It'll save you some time unless you're curious on how to replace the items when the time comes.