Looking at a 97 Accord 4 cyl v-tech, 168,000km, the car will start to turn over but not quite enough to start it. The starter seemed sluggish last going off buddy said but now won't start. It is automatic so can't push start. It is an hour away from my shop and if there was something I could try to save a tow bill that would be great! I want to buy the car from the guy but hate to not being able to hear it run and not 100% that it is the starter itself???

 

Make sure the battery if fully charged, or bring one that is.
Verify the battery terminals are clean and tight.
Negative cable attaches to the transmission case, with a smaller lead going to the body.
Positive cable attaches directly to the starter and another lead to the fuse box.
Make sure the connections to the starter are clean and tight.

If the battery is fully charged(12.4 Volts) the starter should turn the engine over.
If it it sluggish jumper a wire directly between the positive terminal of the battery and the solenoid terminal on the starter(small wire). If the starter spins with no problems then it is not a starter or battery problem. More than likely an issue with the power feed of the 'start' circuit between the starter solenoid and the switch in the column.

Electrical switch on the back of the key tumbler may be worn or loose.

I would start with freshly charged or new battery first.

 

thanks for the advice, I went and the guy was full of it, the starter did not spin at all, would only get a click when hitting the key, even tryed crossing the solenoid and got the same click, he said it was sluggish starting before he parked it for a few months then only a click, thinking it must be the starter

 

Is the battery fully charged? What voltage is it?
If the car has been sitting the battery is probably in need of a good charge or boost.