Well my last problem with the car was the main relay causing it not to start. Once I fixed that the car has been running like a champ.

This morning I go to the car to start it up and nothing.

I turn the key, all the lights light up but nothing.

So heres what i've ruled out or thoguht of and I need your help wherever you can chime in:

1. The main relay was just replaced with a brand new one so I dont think thats the problem.
2. The battery seems to be fine beacuse the stereo, lights everything works.
3. You turn the key and absolutely ntohing happens, everything lights up but theres no click from the starter.
4. I haven't checked for 'spark' beacuse I dont really know how, but I know that the spark plugs were changed by the dealer 1k miles ago when I paid an arm and a leg for the 90k mile service. And if they did something wrong when installing I find it wierd that its malfunctioning now, months later.

The symptoms are simliar to what happens when you try to start the car but its not in Park. (I of course made sure several times that the car is in park, and the P is lit up in the instrument cluster)

My other thought is it could be my alarm malfunctioning. I have a Compustar alarm that I just put in and that is brand new. If its not disarmed it will not allow the car to start. But I made sure that it was disarmed I even put it in valet mode (which is like disabling it) and it still wont respond.

No cranking at all.

Remember I'm a noob when it comes to mechanics so any suggestion you guys offer please be as specific with how to do what as you can.

Also this is the first time anything like this has happened, no problems that I can think of that I've been neglecting and it just decided to give up today. Its completely random.

help fellahs

 

Check and see if puting the car in neutral and starting it. Sometimes autos would work like that. If thats the case then that sensor may have gone out. If not then see if all your connections are not loose on your starter. One thing also is try jumping your car, sometimes it may have power for the lights to come up but not enough juice for it to turn over. these are just some things off the top of my head. Hope it works out.

 

I really have a feeling it has something to do with my alarm.

I just called up compustar they wont give me a wiring diagram because i'm not an authorized installer.

I did get one guy to talk to me though and he told me that its a possibiliity that it can be the starter kill relay.

So I gotta go find that and possibly replace it to see if that works. 5pin bosche relay. Thats another possibility.

 

Just incase it maybe like a sensor or something with the gear in park, can anyone with an automatic prelude confirm for me whether or not the car should start in Neutral?

I tried that a few times this morning and it didn't work but I wasn't sure that it should anyway.

 

lots of things to try:

1. try tapping the starter to verify it isn't hung,
2. try jumping the car from another car (like stated previously, might not have enough juice),
3. try completely disconnecting the alarm control unit, disconnect battery, wait a few minutes, reconnect battery

Once the problem is diagnosed and solved, sell the chik car for a man's car. That way, in the future, all you have to do is push start it.

 

you should take your starter off and go to auto zone Or similer place and get it checked if it works. Because You can spend alot of time messing around with your alarm when that might not be the problem. I only takes 15 mins to take the starter off. (take batterie off and the tray and unskrew wiring off starter and unplug clip and unskrew two bolts off the starter and its off) good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mafia &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you should take your starter off and go to auto zone Or similer place and get it checked if it works. Because You can spend alot of time messing around with your alarm when that might not be the problem. I only takes 15 mins to take the starter off. (take batterie off and the tray and unskrew wiring off starter and unplug clip and unskrew two bolts off the starter and its off) good luck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i can unplug my factory alarm in under 30 seconds

 

do they charge to test it?

as far as the mans car comment. i plan on swapping an h22 and converting it to a 5 spd.

its a dd and a toy to tinker with. when i really wanan play i take the cover off the s2000 :-)

 

usually, they do not charge to test it. However, all of my suggestions can be tried for free and in less time. Rule out the easy **** first.

 

swap batteries from your s2k into your prelude and try.. that'll rule out the battery obviously. might be as simple as the battery not having enough juice, or there might be a drain on the battery while its off.

 

EUREKA!

I beat the hell out of the starter with a wrench, and it fired right up!

I jiggled the wires around a bit and it fired right up.

Came inside feeling pretty proud of myself.

after a shower I thought let me double check this before i get screwed outta a way to work inthe morning again.

So I went and started it again and again NOTHING!

IT DIED AGAIN!

so I giggled the wired and pushed them in kinda again.

NOTHING

i was pissed so i got a wrench and beat the starter a few more times and bam starts right up again!


So i guess i've confirmed its either the starter or the starter wires.

So sometime this weekend I'm gonna try to take it out and take it to auto zone for them to test it.

**** seems pretty hard to get to.

I only see one of the 3 bolts. i'll break out the shop manual tomorrow and look into it

But at least I narrowed it down!

How much do starters go for these days anyway?

 

Your starter is bad. Wires wouldn't do that. When you go to the parts store to get one take your old starter with you. They will need it for the core (that keeps you from having to pay the core charge). Also take your battery. Let them test it. Alot of times if you have a starter that is dragging it can damage your battery. AutoZone tests both for free. Starter and Battery. So does Advance and Oriellys.

 

Take your car or starter to an automotive electrician. They can rebuild the starter for a lot cheaper than a new one. I was quoted $80 to pull my starter, rebuild it, and reinstall it.

 

try turning the key into the on (second) position and then jump the starter solenoid (connect a wire from the starter signal wire to the + of the battery)

Or get a tester and see if the starter signal wire gets power to the starter when you start the car.

 

well guys the new starter is in, and everything is well in the land of kevin's prelude.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

the process went pretty smoothly.

But---

That bolt to the bottom left (closer to the back) was hard as hell to get to. Spent at least a half hour figureing out what i needed to take out just to get to it.

Autozone, Tested the alternator and said it was fine. I thought they musta been incompetent from the way they were fiddling with the machine and didn't look like they knew what they were doing.

I also brought the battery for them to test it and they gave it a strong bill of health.

Took it to pep boys they diagnosed it as malfunctioning. and they had ONE in stock, that looked like it just came out of another car (not remanufactured) the wire insulation was all torn off etc...

So I passed on that one, and decided to try my last bet, Discount Auto Parts, they confirmed that it was malfucntioning and replaced it with a remanufactured one.

The price was the most expensive out of all 3 but at least it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Anyway in, another hour later and we're all set. Car runs like champ!

Thanks again to all those who contributed/helped!