Honda Civic (2001 - 2005) Coupe / Sedan / Hybrid (Includes Acura EL)

2003 Civic EX won't start

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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 03:37 PM
  #1  
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Default 2003 Civic EX won't start

This is how it reacts:

http://youtu.be/ZJVfwVugiU4

Please give me advices, thank you!
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 06:21 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

I can't tell because the video isn't enough info... but all I can say is the most basic thing... the battery, or possibly somehow the alternator died.
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 02:35 AM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Check the starter motor, it site on top of the tranny, give it a few taps with a hammer, not enouhg to beat it up now.
Then try it, if it starts, then your starter will need to be replaced as the solenoid has packed up and left. lol

could also be loose battery cables, check all connections, make sure they're tight, and of course check the battery itself, could be toast.
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 08:07 AM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Thank you all for your help, I had a jump start today and it worked, so the problem was probably the battery, I brought it to service but the guy said the battery was ok, since they don't have the charging for free so I would bring it to autozone or somewhere tmr to charge and check the starter as well. It does now run pretty well. Thank you all.

PS: they assumed that it was too cold for the battery to start (I live in South Carolina, it was cold last night but not that freezing like up north), so wondering if you guys can give me any suggestion so the battery would not freeze next time?
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 09:38 AM
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From: Mt. Pearl, NL, Canada
Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

cold wouldnt affect the battery, not unless its almost dead and not holding charge, that or youve found yourself in the artic, you might want to get your battery tested to make sure its holding its charged, if it fails, just replace it.

I have an oem battery and temp frequently drops to 0F and below here during the winer and ive never had a problem with it starting when its cold.
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 12:59 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

If your handy I'd swap out the battery and the alternator at the same time. This is expensive but you do get a rebate when you exchange the cores.

Also, keep in mind that you might have a bad ground causing the battery to drain power.
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Old Nov 23, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

I have to carry booster around always now, I don't know what happens, I check the battery which seems to be fine (except the ripple was so high, 30-40 normally, at peak it went up to 120-130), starter was tested with the battery (I tested it at autozone) and they said it's fine, so I don't know what the problem is
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Old Nov 23, 2011 | 03:07 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

The battery is at 12.7 when the car does not run, 14.4 when it does run, just ripple too high, I don't know if it's the starter or the alternator or the spark plug or anything
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Old Jan 17, 2016 | 09:57 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

My 2003 Civic EX doesn't start sometimes after a short trip and/or short rest (less than :20 min) sometimes it won't start on the first few attempts but then :30 seconds later it starts right up. Today I tried and tried but it didn't start right up. The battery isn't dead. And the starter makes no noise when it fails, it's like it doesn't exist. I imagine that when I go back to the parking lot tomorrow that it may start up. We shall see. What is wrong? The starter. The alternator. The temp regulator? Is that even a thing. I know very little about this and would love for you to share your experience.
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 04:48 AM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Check for good connections at the battery posts first.
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 08:23 AM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Originally Posted by PleasantTom
My 2003 Civic EX doesn't start sometimes after a short trip and/or short rest (less than :20 min) sometimes it won't start on the first few attempts but then :30 seconds later it starts right up. Today I tried and tried but it didn't start right up. The battery isn't dead. And the starter makes no noise when it fails, it's like it doesn't exist. I imagine that when I go back to the parking lot tomorrow that it may start up. We shall see. What is wrong? The starter. The alternator. The temp regulator? Is that even a thing. I know very little about this and would love for you to share your experience.
Manual or auto transmission?
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 03:02 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Manual
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 03:06 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Check whether the rubber stopper that presses on the starter switch at the top of the clutch pedal fell out.
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 03:17 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

It is a 2003 HOnda CIvic with 166000 miles.
It is an Automatic.
Sorry about the incorrect answer earlier.
Doing too many things at once.

Everything lights up.
There is battery power.
There is just a click when I turn the ignition.
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 03:19 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

now it doesnt start at all
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 03:33 PM
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Default

Originally Posted by NDNV
Check for good connections at the battery posts first.
Yeah check for this ^
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 03:43 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Has the battery been load tested?

If you run a wire directly from the (+) battery post to the starter solenoid, does the starter crank?
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 07:53 PM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

How does one go about checking the battery load if the car doesn't start?
I mean I can't drive it to Autozone or to a shop.
To be honest, I was really trying to avoid having taking it to a shop.
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 08:00 AM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Remove battery. Have friend bring you and battery to AutoZone for testing.
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 08:01 AM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

Originally Posted by RonJ
If you run a wire directly from the (+) battery post to the starter solenoid, does the starter crank?
Did you do this^ test yet?
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 09:51 AM
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Default Re: 2003 Civic EX won't start

I'm doing it now!
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