Ok, I have owned and worked on many 92-00 Civics, and this one has me stumped. I don't know what symptoms the car had prior to breaking, as I bought it non running. The car is a '95 Civic EX with auto trans, 250k miles. It is cranking but not starting, however the starter is not actually turning the engine. The starter just spins when the key is turned. (I verified this by marking the alternator/ps belts, plus the sound is different) I bench tested the starter that came with the car, it passed, and also installed a spare I had from a b7, same result. I have checked mechanical timing, swapped ignition switch/harnesses, checked each fuse, and grounds, and nothing. Possibly relevant is the fact that the key does not beep when in the cylinder, a few times there was no power to the cluster/headlight switch but it seems to work when it wants to. Additionally, the hazard switch was buzzing when the power was acting up. The only thing that worked when the power wasn't working properly was the dome light. Anyone have an idea of what might be going on here? Freezing my fingers off trying to figure this out is not fun. Thanks

 

nothing?

 

You hear the starter when you turn the key to start? And you tested the starter so the solenoid works?

Have you put a ratchet on the crank pulley bolt and tried turning the motor counterclockwise to see if it will turn (seized motor check)?

 

yes, the motor turns by hand. yes, i can hear the starter. yes, i have tested it

 

Does the starter drive gear engage the flywheel gear? Have you checked whether teeth on the starter drive gear or flywheel are missing?

 

the starter does not engage. teeth on both seem good to me, i have physically used the starter that is currently on the car.

 

The starter is bad or the cables are switched.

 

which cables?

 

The first thing that came to mind was a damaged flywheel. Time to put in an Exedy clutch kit and a new *** flywheel. Couldn't hurt seeing how you bought the car used.

 

The solenoid terminal cables...

Which starter do you have, the Nippondenso or Mitsuba or Hitachi?

 

 

Transmission swap time.

 

He just said the starter does not engage and the teeth look good... Why would you go for a new tranny when the starter solenoid is not working?

Hey look, flat tire, time to go buy a new car!

 

No, but if my flat tire was a bald POS, i would go for a set of fresh michelins.

Automatic->manual swap time.

 

I am 99% sure mitsuba, I will check tomorrow to verify. When I bought the car, it came with a brand new rebuilt starter on it, so obviously the previous owner thought it was a bad solenoid as well. I swapped the starter with a used OEM one I had laying around from a d15b7 a/t (same part no.), and the issue persists.

 

Thanks for being useless. I have the parts sitting here and could convert it IF I wanted to. I don't, hence the post. Lots of work for zero benefit on a D/D. A 17 second car is a 17 second car, AT or MT.

 

fuel mileage, more control over engine, reduced brake wear, increased traction in snow/ice..... all benefits for a D/D my man.

 

You talk like I don't/haven't owned a m/t car. I currently have 4.

 

Do you have a multimeter? Have you voltage tested the starter solenoid wire and motor cable? Have you resistance tested between the transmission and (-) battery post.

Post pictures of your starter connections.

 

I do and I will take pics and post test results tomorrow. The weather is terrible here.

 

 

I had this same issue with my 96, it ended up being a bad chasis ground.... pass side strut tower, the sollenoid wasn't getting enough power to engage the bendix. but the starter still turned, and the headlights didn't work... till I cleaned up the ground connection and I of course put a drop of solder on it as well...

 

Everything tested out OK. Replaced trans ground/negative battery wire & terminal, cleaned each ground area (including tstat). Ignition still does not beep with key in, but does have power every time. I put the car up in the air, rotated the engine by hand and could feel compression strokes. Pulled starter and put it in another Civic, worked fine. When I had the starter out, I was able to turn the torque converter manually with the car in park. It seemed to spin semi-freely, and did not rotate the crank. I think I may have a bad flexplate. Input?

 

Your flywheel may be broken around the hub, remove your starter and try to move the flywheel with your fingers.

 

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/search/?Ntt=Flywheel

you can probably find a used one for way cheaper than these though. just ask around