I have a 1998 Honda Civic DX (Manual 5-spd Transmission) with 211,000 miles.

When I attempt to start the car, I push the clutch in, turn the key to Start (II) and up to (III) to fire up the engine. Instead of turning over and the engine starting, I hear a "click-click-click-click-click", almost like a machine gun (but not as loud), while turning the key.

• All electronics power on
• Lights do not dim
• No crank

I attempted to jump the car with jumper cables, but when turning the key to start up the car, the same thing happened. I've gotten a few suggestions: Jump-start the actual starter, try a rolling start, etc.

Please help! Thank you very much!

Sincerly,
A dude in need of help ,
Spencer

 

Hit the starter a few times with a hammer and see what happens. If I had to guess, I would say you have a bad starter.

 

Joey, I "tapped" the started with a hammer, to no avail. How hard are we talking? And can I jump start the starter? I just need to get it running and out of the parking lot that it is in at the moment. Think "quick fix" Thank you!!

 

Have your battery checked

 

Jiggle the terminals on the battery, give the starter a couple taps like if 1 would be tapping your head and having it not hurt and 10 is whacking a nail into some woooooooood, like a 3. do it in various spots. check the connectors on the starter. Just mess with the stuff around that area if you just need it to start.

 

Bench test your starter solenoid

 

^^This. You likely need a new starter. On the manuals, the starter is easy to pull and swap. Disconnect your battery before attempting to pull the starter. You can have a couple of nasties happen if you don't.

If the 6th gen is anything like the 5th gen, the starter is just two bolts holding it to the motor and two small bolts for the two wires.

 

Dont think that is good advice for a newbie.

 

As quoted from OP, just needed to get it running and out of the parking lot at the moment. So all you guys saying test the battery, bench test this yea I agree if he was asking what was wrong. But he just needed it to move. He might've gotten away with something needing a tap for connection purposes. I don't think you're advice was good for him just needing to get it out of the parking lot.

 

So in your logic he just wants to get it out, and never diagnose it? Why not replace something simple and be able to actually drive the car.

If he just wanted to "move" it, he could have push started it along time ago.

 

Push it out? Push start it?

 

Know as "push start" "bump start" "kick start"

The most common way to push start a vehicle is to put the manual transmission in second gear typically, switching the ignition to on/run, depressing the clutch, and pushing the vehicle until it is at a speed of 5 to 10 mph (8 to 16 km/h) or more, then quickly releasing the clutch to make the engine rotate and fire, then quickly depressing the clutch so it does not stall. This is done by one person pushing a lightweight automobile, pulling or being pushed by another vehicle or even rolling down a hill.

 

Way to copy and paste

 

Youre batt is dead or ground is not making good contact

 

Always start simple first:
1) Check all fuses related to ignition (starter relay and such)
2) Clean all corrosion of battery cable leads (inside and outside diameter). You can use baking soda and water mixed or pour coke on them and let it set for a bit and wipe them clean. After they are clean use some vasoline or the dielectric gel stuff they sell at auto parts stores on both the battery posts and cable leads.
3)) Tighten battery cable grounds bolts and starter solenoid nuts.

-----If it does not start after 1,2,and 3 then move on to #4

4)) Bump the starter by using a screwdriver with a wooden handle and gloves..use the metal part of the screwdriver across the positive and negative terminals of the starter solenoid... doing so jump-starts the solenoid without using a key.. make sure car is in neutral.
*****If it starts then the problem could lie in your ignition switch (doubtful though), battery cables or (most likely) weak solenoid. Also, if it starts..while idling lift the positive lead off the battery to test the alternator..if it still runs after while the positive lead is lifted off then your alternator is good. .. if it engine stops running then you need to get the alternator checked at autozone or other part stores for free.

5) Another possibility could be the igniter and/or the ignition coil isnside the distributor are not working properly.

I forgot to add: if you didn't already have your battery tested you should and if it's working okay..make sure it's fully charged before doing a starter solenoid bump-start with screwdriver.