Jose240sx

**warning, Lots of text!**
**cliff notes at bottom!**

Hello everyone, I guess I should start off by saying that I'm new to Honda-Tech, and pretty new to Honda as well, haha.

I bought a 1994 Civic DX 2-door as a daily driver for $800 about 6 months ago.
I was reluctant to purchase a Honda, but for $800, I put prejudice aside.
Turns out the car was way more fun than i thought it would be. So, no regrets.

I should also mention that when I bought the car, it had well over 375,000 miles on it, and was still running strong! Which I found to be quite amazing.
Im sure that number is A LOT closer to 400k now, though, thing is, i wouldn't know it, since the speedometer, odometer, and trip gave out shortly after I bought it, which didn't quite bother me.

So now we get to the not so fun part.
About a week ago, I get home and park, then several hours later I go to start the car, and I get nothing.
The next day, I go to check things out and i notice a big crack on the starter solenoid, i slightly tug on the battery cable that its attached to, and a out comes a chunk of plastic at the end of the cable!
Obviously i go out and get a new starter, since i was pretty sure this was the problem.
I install the new starter, fully expecting it to work, and i turn the key...and nothing.
So far this is where I stand. I was hoping someone could shed light on this for me.


I guess thats about it...Thanks for reading, everyone!


**cliff notes**
Im new, my 1994 civic dx wont start
i have checked the batter and replaced the starter.
can you help me?

95hatchcx

alternator?

shailoche

ignition relay?
fuses?

Check those things first since they wiring on your old starter was bad and could have caused a short killing a fuse or relay.

Also: what does it sound like when you try to start your car? I know that your say nothing is happening but surely there are some sounds, smells, feelings, and such.

Your non-working speedometer, odometer, and trip meter is likely due to a faulty VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor.) You can replace it easily as it sits on top of the transmission and is held on by two or three bolts. You can buy one for $40-$80 online or from a local auto parts store. It is an easy fix that likely has nothing to do with why your car won't start.

omgwtfbbq

If you are getting nothing, no clicking or turning over, check all your fuses, relays, and engine grounds.

omgwtfbbq

also, what shailoche said, what do you mean by nothing? does your lights on your dash even iluminate?

itsmejto

Recheck the connections onthe new solenoid, especially the ground wires, clean up the rust and make sure al the smaller wires have good ends on them and are tight, sometimes when pulling off a connector you can break a wire inside the insulation.

TravisCadello

their is a HOT wire which come directly from the battery and to the starter and is thick. and then their is a thin wire that tell the starter to turn over when you click the key. you either forgot to connect that little sucker or you blew the fuse that tells it to kick over.

Try this, get a thin speaker wire or any wire and connect it directly from the positive terminal on the battery and connect it directly to the starter where the thin lil wire is and if it turns over then go check your fuses and ignition switch.


and wow, 400k miles that great! and for the speed0 going out check the fuse also. i had same problem.

TravisCadello

did you fix it OP?

Former User

First check whether fuse 39 (50A) or fuse 41 (80A) under the hood is blown.

Next, if you have a manual tranny, check the starter switch located at the top of the clutch pedal. The starter solenoid won't get power if the switch is bad.

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

Ha - when I changed my starter I knocked the positive battery terminal off its mount. Thought I had a real head scratcher on my hands (first time changing a starter), but a fresh pair of eyes caught it before I resorted to drastic measures. Course, my symptoms were obvious: no sound AT ALL when you turn the key.

Pothole987

400k... mines at 543,000 today and still running strong!

also, for your speedometer, check your Vehicle speed sensor which some guys already said in this thread. also check your connections on it.

cmcl3m0r3

check your fuses and connections to the starter that you replaced... bet your problem is there... also if you are going to jump your battery to your starter use something safer than speaker wire, it will burn/shock the crap out of you.

Jose240sx

I'm really sorry that I haven't replied in a long while, I have been super busy!

Thanks to everyone that was nice enough to reply, I'm grateful for your assistance!

to answer some questions, no, the car doesn't make any noises, clicks, or smells when i turn the key.
whats left of the dash lights do come on, headlights come on, and so does the radio

I'm gonna try some of the things you guys suggested and report back.

again, thanks for the help!

Jose240sx

I called over a friend to help me out with my problem, but he was an asshat and left after doing one thing, and not really explain it.

he took a screw driver and placed it across the starter and it turned on.
i could hear the starter buzzing loudly, but the engine didnt turn over. the only thing i heard was the starter.

and like i said, he didnt really explain anything...
so in my head i worked out that the car should have started...
the ignition switch and starter relay switch (above clutch pedal, right?) have been bypassed, so their working status no longer matters...
also found out that my junk yard starter works.

any more suggestions or criticisms?

thanks guys, again!

Former User

Are you able to push start the car? Has the engine seized up?

Jose240sx

push start? no, have not tried.

seized up? i hope not. how can i tell?

Former User

Are you able to turn the engine (turn counterclockwise only) from the crank bolt?

BlueLude94

Jack your car up, take off the driverside wheel, make sure your car is in Neutral, gte a long extension with a 17mm socket and see if you can turn the engine over by hand. Let us know how it goes.

Jose240sx

alright. i hand cranked the motor using the 17mm crank bolt, and it turns.
turned with a lot less resistance that i thought it would take, seeing as how ive never done something like this before.

slow96lude

It sounds like maybe the wire with the 1/4 inch spade connector isnt connected or needs cleaned. that would be the simplest thing to start with. it is very easy to not get back on right once you have changed the starter. and vibration will make it come off as well

Former User

Check whether you can push start the engine.

Jose240sx

holy cow, i push started my little civic!
i even drove it around my block!

so what does that mean?
everything works, apparently, but when i try start with the key, nothing at all.
so what is that? ignition switch?

Former User

Yes, this pinpoints the problem to the starting system or ignition switch. Have a buddy turn the key to ON(III) while you measure voltage at the Blk/Wht wire attached to the starter solenoid. If you don't measure battery voltage, double check the jumper wire installed into the starter switch connector above the clutch pedal. If that's fine, check the ignition switch.

Edit: Also make sure you measure battery voltage on the Blk wire connected to the starter motor.

Jose240sx

ok so i had a friend do this bit for me, since i dont own, or know how to use a meter of any sort...
he says that its the ignition switch

i look up a guide, says to take the steering wheel off...
i cant do that, looks like a previous owner tried to do something and stripped the Torx screws holding the air bag in place... so i cant take off the steering wheel to get to the ignition switch

No one i know has a damaged screw/bolt extraction kit i can borrow, and im pretty broke, so i cant even rent one.

I start a new job Monday and it would be really great to have this car running again.

my friend suggested i just hot wire the car...but i dunno about that....
Should i try this until i can afford to repair it properly?

any ideas?

Jose240sx

btw, ive looked up hot wiring cars, and on any forum its always the same.
the general populace flames the OP for even asking how to hotwire. since no one knows if its a legitimate question resulting from a problem, or someone who just wants to learn to steal cars.

so dont flame me please!
i can provide proof that i am NOT a thief, and AM the car owner.

lol