clatt87

Okay, so I bought a '91 CRX Base from a fella on the 9th of October. It had veeb sitting for a while but he put a jumper box on and it cranked and then he sprayed some starter fluid and it started right up. Started several times after that without the fluid, I took it for a test drive and even drove it home. I went to replace the battery cause the old one was shot and needed jumped everytime. Upon replacing the battery, it wouldn't start. There's an advance auto across the street so I had my buddy there brung the box over and test it and it tested fine. We hooked the jumper box up just incase and it still wouldnt start. I tried a different battery and got nothing. I tried a different starter from my buddy's CRX and got nothing. I tried a brand new starter and got nothing. I've checked a bunch of grounds (battery terminal-body, starter, tranny-body, valve cover-body and thermostat) and the battery power and starter power. I've checked all the fuses and relays under the hood and under the dash, including the relay behind the radio. I've checked the ignition switch and park/neutral switch. The starter clicks (sometimes only once, sometimes continuously) but the motor doesn't turn over or attempt to turn over what-so-ever. There's no grinding as there would be if the flexplate teeth were jacked, it's as if the starter is trying to engage but can't fully do it. We tried dumb thing like rocking the car back and forth and tapping the starter, neutral starting...nothing...the results are quite the same. We tried hand turning the crank to see if maybe something was stuck....dudes....I'm losing it here....my brain is frying from walking over to advance and staring at wiring diagrams. I wanted to start a B16 swap by the end of this month but I can't even get it to my buddy's garage to do so lol. I figured that's sure to clear up the problem since I'd be replacing motor, tranny (auto - 5-speed), ecu, and harness but now I'm scared to spend the money cause my luck the thing's just cursed and still won't start. Somebody friggin save me.

eazy64

are u sure u checked the neutral safety switch correctly cuz thats what happend to mine. just follow the clutch and push the button behind it then try starting it.

phoenix_iii

It's an auto. Check for Spark, fuel, and air...

clatt87

Shouldnt the engine still attempt to turn over even with a lack of those? The starters not fully engaging is what seems to be the problem. I believe its prior to the combustion cycle. And yes its an auto

eazy64

oh my badd. yeahh if it wasnt getting spark or fuel it would at least be cranking. it has to be something before that like a messed up wire or something.

clatt87

Yeah thats my worst fear lol cuz God only knows what and where. Im just gonna keep searching for a swap and hopefully order one by the end of next week. Thatll clear it up lol i hope. I still would like to find it while i wait for the swap so i can stop borrowin rides haha

frizzle

do you get acc. when your turn the key? if so turn it all the way on and leave it. then use a jumper wire to bridge your starter posts. if it kicks over and starts be looking towards you ignition switch being bad.... and leave you shifter in neutral please!!! lol good luck. i know you said you checked you switch but still just try this and see what happens.

clatt87

Yes I get acc and I was just talkin to my buddy bout jumpin the starter but if it starts it's only going to prove that my starter is good (which i already know). It won't prove any particular switch is bad...just that there's something wrong in the circuit. And idk if I'm right about this but since the ignition switch is at the beginning of the circuit, wouldn't it no even send a signal to the starter at all if it was bad? The starter attempts to engage...it just seems to fall short. I'm thinking since it sat for like 2yrs before I bought it, some rusty wire or connection (probably under the hood where the moisture would easily get to it) came/broke loose while driving it home when I bought it. But it would have to be something that in't going to affect the car once it's running, just while starting......my buddy and I are about to just pull the motor and have a hayday with the M4....it's annoying te crap outta me.

frizzle

And he may be right. but all i know is mi9ne did the same thing for awhile. i was in a pinch and need ed my car that day (when it started getting worse). so i bypassed the clutch safety switch and everything else. by adding a simple 3 dollar switch. works great and looks good in my little dash squares.lol(little black switch 12v - ground. simple) just give it a try to narrow your search. it wont hurt anything.

singlecamsaint

x2 my hatch starts on a momentary toggle because the switch is bad only gets acc and the start position nothing, do a toggle it does look cool in one of the little square places and it works everytime

clatt87

yeah I guess I'll have to cuz I don't feel like jacking with it every dang day. Thank God Advance Auto is right across the street B-)

frizzle

GL like I said just try the jumper wire trick first under your hood. Knda like the old red neck screwdriver trick. If it works then just save some cash and headaches. Because finding the problem could be a b**ch if its not the switch and some other wire....ps efs are notorious for this problem

whltng

And this fixed itself or the op pushed off a cliff. Come on guys post when you get it fixed... Geezz