Some bastard stole my car the other day. After they recovered it, I found that it won't start.

I have a 90 civic lx sedan with those motorized seatbelts. The guy that stole the car ripped the fuse cover off the battery, but it doesn't appear that he cut any wires. Now when I turn the key all I hear is a click coming from under the dash, no starter engagement at all.

Anyone have any ideas what might have happened? Could something have shorted out? I checked all the fuses related to the car starting and they all seemed fine. Is there a simple trick theives use to make the car undriveable?

I'd appreciate any ideas you guys might have.

Thanks
Mike

 

sounds like a dead battery? how long was it sitting? try jump starting

 

I was stolen at 11:30 Saturday and recovered at around 1 that afternoon. So I don't think the battery would go dead that quick. Plus all the accessories still work

Mike

 

put a voltmeter and ammeter(clip on starter tester style) on the battery cable and turn it over. Then tell us the readings.

-Dustin

 

Sorry, I don't quite understand what you're saying. I have a voltmeter, but I'm not quite sure how to use it, except to check voltage across a battery. I checked the battery and it read right at 12 volts.

Are you saying hook one end up to the battery and one to the starter?

Mike

 

Just try jump starting the car just to check that it is the battery or not. It can't hurt just to try it.

 

how'd he start it, hot wire? punched ignition? maybe there isnt enough power coming through the ignition wires to turn the starter

 

he had a copy of my key made. I don't know how

 

Check the wire going to the starter from the ignition. It just clips in. Never know...it may have come loose.

 

does ur engine turn at all?? if not, ya check the wiring connections to the starter...
or try getting a new start motor.. when my start motor was gone, all i heard was a little click sound...no turning. so look into that..
ur accesories may still work on a weak battery.. but just in case it is a fresh battery, it could be the wiring or the start motor

 

also check ur fuses inside and outside in the black box in the bay..

 

Well, it was the starter. The old one was dead as a doornail. Thanks for all the help.

Mike