Hey,

This post is about a 1991 Honda Civic DX.

So recently it wouldn't start without a jump, so I figured I may have left a light on or something (really don't think so though). I made absolutely sure to shut off all lights etc., but the next day the car needed a jump to start again. That was a couple of months ago, it's been gathering dust since, but today I decided to try to fix it.

It showed no signs of life whatsoever when trying to start it. It started fine on jump, and I let it idle to charge the battery while I went around checking for power drains. The radio shuts off fine, the trunk light shuts off fine... For some reason the instrument & ceiling lights flicker. As soon as the car is shut off it completely and utterly dies electrically, and needs a jump to start every time.

The first time I shut it off some horrible gurgling sound came from around the ignition. I think it was the beeper that usually sounds as soon as the car is shut off.

Is this just a dead battery? What could have killed the battery in the first place? The battery was a good-quality Napa battery I bought about a year ago. I have a disgusting amount of love for this car and want the old girl to be healthy so badly!

Thanks in advance.

 

Your Altinator is Dead if it needs a jump everytime after letting charge...test voltage in and out from altinator...Then pull fuse for cluster lights/interior lights and let set over night and see if thats ur drain

 

If it runs after a jump your alternator is good. I'm sure you knew that but just in case....but I would replace the battery first and search for a drain if it dies. Even a good quality battery can go bad early or be a dud. I bought a new battery once that was dead when I installed it....outside the store! So I would definitely start there you're gonna have to have one regardless, but if you give up on it for a while again unhook the negative post so it doesn't kill the battery and have to replace it again.


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I have a parasitic drain on my CRX too, Im in the search to find it myself, in the mean time at night after work i just unhook the negative cable...I've pulled fuses, researched the hole CRX door issue, and still have a drain somewhere...on a side note, does anyone know if the radio pulls enough while the car is off for a battery check light pin to light up?

 

Replace the battery and then test if the alternator is going bad