mr.howa

i'm a newbie here with a electrical problem that i need help with. thanks in advance and sorry for the confusion.

i have a 97 civic lx with 120,xxx miles, automatic tranny. the battery supplies 12.8volts to acc but when i turn the key to run, voltage drops to 10volts within 5 seconds and lower thereafter. i am able to start the engine if i turn the key from acc to start quickly if i don't, i get a low crank and no start. i might missed the fuses and relays that i couldn't get to but the one's i could, tested out fine. most of the times, the engine would not run on the first attempt. its usually the second or third crank attempt that gets it running. any ideal on this voltage drop.

shogee

that sounds like a normal electrical system because when you turn the key to crank the starter draws a lot of amperage and may drop the battery volts to as low as 9 volts for your problem your ignition could be worn out

shogee

sorry ignition switch

mr.howa

it wasn't like this before. i did a little test to the ignition switch earlier and it showed continuity from bat, ig1, and ig2 when in the run position. i think the problem lies somewhere in ig1 due to it cranking and not starting/running sometimes according to this link http://media.photobucket.com/image/h...cture_3412.jpg. thanks for the quick response. ill do more testing tomorrow.

shogee

so before you tested your switch what was the problem with your car

shogee

well the diagram is only showing a continuity check whick means are the wires connected or not when your ignition is turned, it is normal for voltage to drop when you turn to crank because the starter is drawing a lot of power from the battery, if your main problem is: you have to turn the key to certain position or wiggle the ignition around then the contacts inside the ignition is worn, just replace it

chinochanginc

maybe your battery is dying? go to discount auto / napa/ autozone/ checkers.. where ever.. and get your battery tested

mr.howa

this is the second battery within one year. it also has a new alternator. the voltage drops when in run position and engine not running. alternator is working good because it is supplying 14 volts when engine running.

i use to could leave the key in run position for quite a while and still be able to crank and run but now if i leave the key in run position for more then o ill say 10 second, it would not crank at all. when i return to acc, voltage climbs back up to 12 but very slowly.

theres a large engine harness on the driver side engine bay that connects to several sensor such as the tps, intake temp, idle air con., and this sensor that goes into the timing belt cover maybe a crank angle but when in run and i disconnect the harness, the voltage seems to climb back up and not drop like it have been. i couldnt disconnect the sensor that goes into the timing cover but the other sensors made no difference when i unplug them.

shogee

okay so sounds like there is a short to ground inside that harness what year and model is your car

mr.howa

97 honda civic lx d16y7

mr.howa

my problem is FIXED.

i drove the car to school and left the headlights on by accident..
got back to the car 10 min. after i left and it did not crank..
jump start did not help either but made a wacky clicking sound near the ecu when jumped..
replace the main relay and wah laa ....problem fix..no more hard start and voltage drop

that thang cost $70 at local shop that was much cheaper than dealer that did not have in stock priced at $80...