I've got a 1997 5spd Prelude with about 135k miles on it. It's worked wonderfully for the 6 or so months that I've owned it so far, save for when the previous owners security system went kaput and refused to let the car start.

Well, I'm having a problem now. Last night I drove back from my friends place, parked in my spot, and went into my apartment. The car seemed perfectly normal. A couple hours later I needed to go to Wal-Mart so I hop in, put the key in the ignition, turn.... and nothing. I try it again and this time the lights come on dim and there was a very fast clicking noise coming from either under the dashboard or in the engine bay near the drivers side. My stereo got no power, the clock was reset, the lights were dim, etc.

After class today I come back to see if it would work and it does the same thing. I put the key in the ignition, turn, and it starts clicking really fast at me (I'd say around 300bpm). I pop the hood and check out the battery and HOLY DAMN! My negative terminal is COVERED in about a quarter inch layer of this really fine baby blue powder. I disconnect the negative terminal and scrub it all fairly clean (although not as clean as it probably should be as a toothbrush can only do so much) and reattach it. Voila! The car starts.

However, I'm still not getting any power to my stereo, my clock is flashing, and there's a click that sounds like a turn signal is on coming from, again, somewhere under the dash or in the engine bay. It's about the rate of a turn signal, and the clock flashes in time with it. It happens whenever I do one of the following actions: open a door, close a door, put the key in the ignition, turn the car on, or turn the car off. The clicking usually lasts for about 5-10 seconds, then stops.

Does anyone have any idea of what is going on?

 

well, it could be something with that old security system, but if not check the main relay....theyre not too expensive to get a new one, and the tapping makes me think relay, the dimming and no power makes me think its the main one, so check it out

 

Sounds like Main relay, it's situated in the place you describe the fast clicking sound, under the dash to the left of steering column, it's no 14 on the diagram in the link below, price around $49 from Majestic, but you may find it cheaper shopping around ?

http://www.hondaautomotivepart...CABIN

 

Is the main relay something that I would be able to change myself with very little mechanical know-how? Or is it best left in the hands of professionals?

 

Easy just pulls out of it's seat and push new one in firmly in it's place, as simple as changing a fuse only it's a bigger black box.