rnuts

My honda del sol is completely dead- I have been working on this for 10 days already- It started with the del sol stalled and went dead while I stop for traffic lights then eventually it won't turn on at all. The car will turn on if I popped the clutch. I have went through and replace the battery, spark plugs, ignition coil, the main relay, the plastic bushing for the clutch and the starter. The car will only turn on with a push start by popping the clutch. the electrical components are on and AC is running. The car doesn't even crank. Just complete silence.
Please help!!

Caoboy

Once it's push started will it run? Or does it die out?

rnuts

It runs like nothing ever happened. But once I turn it off then it won't turn on.

Caoboy

Start tracing your power back from your starter. figure out what is causing it not to engage.

DumpdEJ6

Could be ignition switch, could be grounds, could be that little starter solenoid spade connection not being on tight. Like Caoboy said, look for 12v at the starter and start working your way backwards.

rnuts

What tool do I use to trace power and what keywords do I use for how to do this?

mk378

First you should try jumping the starter. Leave the key off. Set the hand brake and make absolutely sure the transmission is in neutral. Unplug the wire from the little terminal on the starter. Take a test wire and jump from the little terminal to the + of the battery. The engine should crank. It won't actually start, because the key is off, but that's not important. This test shows the battery, starter, and the connections between them are OK.

If jumping does work then you would look at the little terminal being loose as someone mentioned, the clutch switch, and the key switch. There are no fuses between the key switch and the starter. If someone installed an aftermarket alarm with a "starter cut" feature, that could be the problem. All the wires involved are fairly heavy and colored black with a white stripe.

Caoboy

DMM multimeter.

Tomcat would be able to better help you troubleshoot.

rnuts

I got a new ignition switch and the car still not turn on. So I'm moving on the the fuel pump. I do hear humming sound when I turn the key and I do see fuel leaking from the fuel filter. What else do you suggest?

rnuts

I did the wire test between the starter and + battery. The engine cranked. I put the little terminal connector back on to the starter and tightened it. Nothing happen. So does that mean the connector wire is bad?