Hey everyone,

I know absolutely nothing about cars. Let me start by saying, i bought a 2009 Civic LX coupe used about 3 weeks ago (may 25th). It had 4900 miles on it. I have since put about 1000 miles on it. Everything is factory. I'm having an odd issue. The other day i went to a function for the day and drove about 2 hours to catch a train, so i was parked in a garage. When i came back from the train it seemed like my key fob did not unlock my car from the normal range, but i thought nothing of it. I went in my trunk then unlocked the car (with keyfob) and tried to start it....NOTHING!! no sounds, no clicking no lights...dead silence. Well now this was an inopportune time, i was all alone, late at night with only about 15% battery left on my phone. I get out of the car and now try to use the keyfob, nothing. I click the interior lights, nothing. I am now wondering what to do so i call a friend. In the meantime i look in the glovebox and notice the previous owner had starting issues 3x and "honda could not replicate it", so they told the customer to see if there was any patterns. While doing this and on the phone, all of a sudden an interior light popped on out of nowhere! The key was not in the ignition at this point and it was about 25 mins after the first 3 or so attemps at attempting to start the car.

So i hurry up, throw the key in and it starts right up like nothing happened. The radio came up telling me i had to put in the anti theft code. So i did. I drove home and have started the car 5-6 times with no issues. Of note, on my way home from school today, while driving, my radio shut completely off for about 30 seconds then right back on and continued playing my ipod. Wondering if the factory alarm could be causing this? I did not set it off, but i find it completely odd that nothing at all works, then all of a sudden after just sitting there a light turns on.

I'm very concerned as i've only had this car 3 weeks and knowing nothing about cars, i am afraid that this might be a problem im dealing indefinately with if "honda cannot replicate" the problem. My 11 year old cavalier never had a problem starting up so its kinda depressing to have a "newer" car and having issues already.

I still have the balance of manufacturers warranty (3yrs/36000mi) and it is certified pre owned. Has anyone had this issue or know of what it could be?

I made an appt at the dealer on friday. I have the other owners records as well, and im taking it to the same dealership. Already over the phone, the technician said "well it sounds like it's not driven enough", which i dont see how this has anything to do with it as i have already put 1000 miles on it in 3 weeks and he also saw the other record and stated they need it for at least 6 hours. I am afraid they will start it up a few times and send me on my way

 

Wow 09 with 5k miles, my chicks 10 Lx has 15k haha.

 

take it to the dealer and say that you are not comfortable with the vehicle condition and your not leaving until they resolve the problem, due to your own personal safety.

 

It sounds like the battery may have a faulty ground connection ( or power wire connection) where the ground wire is attached to the engine and body is loose.

With symptoms like this you can have just what you explained, you have an intermittent power loss.

It could be as little as the ground cable is not tight or just dirty, (underneath what looks clean and new) on the battery.