Need some help here. 1998 integra (204,xxx miles) with the head rebuilt 5 months ago. things have been running perfect until the other day after work. came out, no crank, no start. looked like the battery was drained. lights dimmed every time i turned the key. got a new battery and did the same thing. the car starts right up when i use a jumper thing. i also removed the spark plugs to see if i can "ratchet" the crank, and the motor is not locked up, it turns.

bad starter?

i know there has been a lot of topics on this. i've searched and done a lot of the other diagnostics but have not come up with anything.

thanks

 

Does it make a computer electronic sound when you turn the key with the clutch pressed down?

 

sorry its an automatic. also no computer electronic sound when i turn the key. it does when i use the jumper

 

If it starts with a jump, it sound like a bad connection on the battery terminal to the battery. Clean both battery terminals, should solve the problem.

 

bad alternator..

 

Yup, bad alternator.

 

I would start by redoing the main ground, to eliminate them as the possible problem.

If that does not solve the problem, I would look into the charging system, have it tested at any batt./alt. shop, it is a free test, it only takes a few min. 94

 

A bad alternator can allow the battery to drain down during operation and cause a no-start condition, but a bad alternator won't keep you from starting your vehicle. If using the booster pack turns the engine over, the solution is definitely in the battery-cable area.

It wouldn't surprise me if your new battery isn't sending current through the cables because of a poor connection at the battery clamp; the positive and/or negative lead posts on many new batteries are often made smaller in diameter than they should be, which results in a loosely-gripping battery clamp. This is easily identified when attempting to twist an installed battery clamp. If it doesn't spin, then it's secured. If it does, then try tightening the clamp further...if this doesn't help, go to Advance A.P. and buy a battery shim kit.