Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Single Click and Occasional Start

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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 01:38 PM
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Default Single Click and Occasional Start

Hey guys. I have a 93 Civic Dx Sedan with a b18b1. I am having a problem starting my car. Everyone now and again when I go to start my car it will just do a single click and sometimes it will start right up. The sound appears to come from under the dash but people outside the car and hear the sound too. I have taken it to my friend and he tested the battery and the starter and they both came back good. I have also tried having someone tap on the starter while I trying starting it and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Its been suggested to me that the ignition switch could be bad, the starter itself could be going bad, or it could the the starter solenoid. I was curious if anyone else has had this problem and what they did to resolve it. Thanks in advance
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 01:40 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

are your positive and negative wires on the starter corroded?

try this
http://www.b20vtec.com/forums/b-seri...sis-101-a.html
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 01:43 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

might be your main relay pull it out open it up and check for cracks around the joints
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 01:51 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

check for corrosion on the starter terminal,

your solenoid may click and bridge the B to the M terminal, but corrosion can prevent current from flowing
and with it being an intermittent problem, a high resistance of the sort is present somewhere in the starting circuit (most likely the starter terminals or main relay)
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 02:05 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Never checked the terminals for corrosion. Probably should have done that too while I was checking the grounds. I will check the terminals and main relay tomorrow. Thanks for the help all.
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 05:58 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

I would guess that it's going to be the solenoid contact points inside the starter.
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 06:18 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Originally Posted by First.EG
might be your main relay pull it out open it up and check for cracks around the joints
Originally Posted by drkstrs24
I will check the...main relay tomorrow.
The main relay has nothing to do with the starter.

The single click noise suggests that the ignition switch and starter solenoid are fine.

If the large starter wire and the transmission ground wire connections are fine, have the starter retested at another shop or store.
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 09:13 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Originally Posted by RonJ@HT
The main relay has nothing to do with the starter.

The single click noise suggests that the ignition switch and starter solenoid are fine.

If the large starter wire and the transmission ground wire connections are fine, have the starter retested at another shop or store.
Yes but the fact that it clicks sometimes and other times it doesnt makes me suspect the main relay as well. Will the car turn over when it doesnt click? if so I suggest the relay as stated above. located under driver side dash.
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 09:22 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Originally Posted by Honda_Mane
Yes but the fact that it clicks sometimes and other times it doesnt makes me suspect the main relay as well. Will the car turn over when it doesnt click? if so I suggest the relay as stated above. located under driver side dash.
Unless I misread the first post, this is a no-crank problem (starter won't turn engine). A bad main relay would not cause a no-crank problem.
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 09:24 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

could be starter, could be ignition switch
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 02:36 AM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Thanks for all the info. When I get the click sound the engine doesn't start. The car started fine this morning. I'm going to check the connections to my starter later today and get the starter retested too.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 05:11 AM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Originally Posted by drkstrs24
When I get the click sound the engine doesn't start.
Do you mean doesn't crank? Please verify that this is a no-crank problem rather than a cranks-but-won't-start problem.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 05:33 AM
  #13  
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

I also second the starter on it's way out. I've had this scenario happen too many times, if indeed you mean no crank.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 07:37 AM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Sorry for not stating before. It clicks but won't crank over. I turn the key and just get a single click and that's it.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 07:57 AM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Sounds like starter
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 10:20 AM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

have the starter tested

either your starter motor has went bad or you are not getting power to your B terminal of the starter
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 12:09 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

SHITTY CONNECTION. i envision two repeatedly over-torqued, rabid looking, otherwise completely assed-out looking battery terminals.

that's all. if i'm wrong, i'll paypal op an ice cream sandwich. in for results.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 12:54 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Originally Posted by drkstrs24
Sorry for not stating before. It clicks but won't crank over. I turn the key and just get a single click and that's it.
whoops my bad thought it was cranking
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Old Dec 20, 2023 | 09:32 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

Originally Posted by drkstrs24
Hey guys. I have a 93 Civic Dx Sedan with a b18b1. I am having a problem starting my car. Everyone now and again when I go to start my car it will just do a single click and sometimes it will start right up. The sound appears to come from under the dash but people outside the car and hear the sound too. I have taken it to my friend and he tested the battery and the starter and they both came back good. I have also tried having someone tap on the starter while I trying starting it and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Its been suggested to me that the ignition switch could be bad, the starter itself could be going bad, or it could the the starter solenoid. I was curious if anyone else has had this problem and what they did to resolve it. Thanks in advance
I had the same thing happened to me just tonight. I was stuck like Chuck. Remove the resonator and then got the starter exposed. Pecked on it with a hammer and it would not start still. But wasn't peckking on it in the wrong spot. You have to get underneath there right where it hooks into the flywheel as close to it as you can. It started right up after that. I am pretty sure the Bendix is jammed in to the flywheel causing it to click one time like that. When I got home and killed it it started right up again so pretty sure the starter is bad. Good luck
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Old Dec 24, 2023 | 03:51 PM
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Default Re: Single Click and Occasional Start

usually you just need a solenoid rebuild kit as the contacts and plunger get worn down and bite the dust.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/31491071842...Bk9SR6CcneeTYw


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