OK, here is my situation, i got a 98 civic EX that won't start. when the key is put in the start position, the starter does not crank, click, or do anything else - it stays silent, but there is a electrical humming sound (im assuming thats the fuel pump) and the lights on the dash dims whenever the key is put to the start position.

i've bench tested the starter and that turned out fine, the battery is fully charged as well. i suspect it is the ignition switch (and maybe the lock assembly too) because i've performed a continuity test on the switch according to the FSM and the continuity is all messed up - it has continuity where there should not be any and no continuity where there should be.

I just want to know whether i should just go ahead and replace the ignition switch or whether there is something else that i should check first?

 

did anything happen prior to non-start condition? Story behind it could help ...

 

Alright, i think i screwed up the continuity test from before, i just redid the test and the ignition switch seems fine.

quapouh: dont know if this is related but i did a rear disc swap 2 weeks before the no-start problems.

 

YES dont waste time trouble shooting, just throw parts at it.

Is it a stick or automatic?

If its a manual, check your clutch pedal it has 2 plastic stops one for the clutch switch the other for the cruise control switch. If the clutch switch stopper breaks, the car will not start. I know from experience, so check to make sure those stops are in place. They're located on the clutch pedal arm in relation to where the actual plunger switches are.

 

I sense a bit of sarcasm there which is uncalled for. I am still troubleshooting as you can see from my update post above, and i was asking whether i have performed sufficient troubleshooting specifically because i dont want to replace parts needlessly.

Anyhow, its a manual tranny. i think the clutch sensor is working because when i put the key to start, the lights do not dim if i am not on the clutch, but they dim if i am on the clutch.

I just remembered the immediately before the problem, my alarm stopped sounding the horn or flashing the lights when locking and unlocking the car. its a compustar alarm. could this indicate the alarm is causing the problem?

 

When the stop broke on my clutch switch, I first assumed it was the alarm.

You might be on to something.

 

I will tell you one word after I finishing writing this sentence, explaining the word.

...GROUNDS. CHECK ALL YOUR GROUNDS. Battery ground, starter ground, tranny ground. ALL OF THEM.

 

distributor wouldn't be a problem if it doesn't even crank. It could be clutch switch (mentioned above), starter bendix stuck, fuses, check oil and coolant levels in case the engine is seized. Does it spin when you turn the harmonic balancer bolt?

Check, check and check again

 

neutral safety switch. If this is bad your car won't know that you are pressing the clutch in when you try to start the car. You can unplug it and stick a safety pin to jump the 2 wires from the pigtail.

 

sounds like a BAD GROUND... fix the grounds to the motor and every other ground make sure thier clean. as stated above. i had this same problem