Got in my car and turned my key this morning and nothing happened. No sound or anything, but the dash lights went on.
Finally pushed the key again and it started right up. Drove it to work with no problems once started.

Something is definitely wrong, just not sure which one. Does this sound like a starter or ignition switch problem?
1998 Honda Civic LX 5-speed.

 

5sp, or auto?

 

Check the rubber stopper that presses on the starter switch located at the top of the clutch pedal.

 

If it's the starter rebuild it. You can get the contacts from Toyota and fix it for less than twenty bucks and an hour of your time.

 

How do you do that and why Toyota? Is that a Toyota part?

 

I think it's this switch, not the stopper. Do you know what they are called and how much they are to replace?

 

A third-party company (Mitsuba?) makes the starters, and Toyota used the same or very similar one on many cars.

I think it is called the clutch interlock switch. You can unplug the switch and put a jumper wire in the plug to bypass it, it will start whether you press the clutch pedal or not. If the car has cruise control, there will be two switches on the clutch pedal, the one at the top is for the starter.

 

I've had what sounds like the exact problem in my recently swapped B16A into my Del Sol. I heard a slight difference in sound between on and off the clutch turning the key while testing it so that is moving me towards the starter. Hopefully its the $20 option.

 

Thank you. Hard to get to but I managed to clip the wires and splice them together. Works.
Except either my battery or alternator is dead. Not sure which. I managed to jump the car and take it for a twenty minute ride and all was good but when I turned it off it wouldn't restart.

 

battery. alternator provides charge to battery while running. bad alternator= dies out while running.

 

Yeah that's what I thought. I already had the alternator replaced five years ago. The battery is much easier to get to.

 

Hahaha not sure what to say but I'm 100% sure that Honda and Toyota are different auto makers last time I checked.