2000 honda civic ex coupe, new battery, new starter, new ignition switch, no crank, all electronics work, can clutch start and it works just fine

 

Check that the plastic button that presses the clutch interlock switch didn't break. This is way up high on the clutch pedal arm under the dash.

You can test starter, battery, and the big power and ground wires by jumping the small terminal on the starter to battery +. Make absolutely sure the car is not in gear and the key is off when you do this. You're not necessarily trying to start it just see that it turns.

 

Clutch switch pad is broken/missing for the starter interrupt circuit. Look for dark blue pie shaped pieces of plastic on the floor and maybe even a blue cone shaped piece. If you find these... this is your problem. They are available from Honda for a few bucks and can be installed fairly easily with a long flat-head screwdriver and some duck tape.

The test is to pull the e-brake up, make sure the shifter is in neutral, lay up under the dash and reach up all of the way to the top of the clutch pedal assembly from the front (facing the seat cushion/instrument cluster), curl one finger over the top edge of the pedal bracket and depress the clutch switch... while simultaneously turning the key to the start position (and if you cannot reach both, have someone else turn the key for you). The car should start at this point. If not, check to see if you have any issues with the wires going to the starter.

 

clutch switch pad is new as well, all wiring checked and working fine

 

Apparently not... you still cannot start the car with the key. You are missing something, so go over everything again.

mk378... you type faster than me. LOL

 

OP, is your starting problem one of those "Everything has been fine and now it is broken" scenarios or did you make changes/modifications to the car and now it won't start with the key ???

 

can a relay be an issue with starting, ive tested with a light tester everything i can find. gone over wiring diagrams, manuals. im obviously missing something i need to test, could distributor cause any issues?

 

the brake pad and clutch pad broke at the same time to start with. caused my brake lights to stay on overnight and killed my 7 year old battery. replaced battery and all this started. starter got changed next, then ignition switch.

 

There are two switches on the clutch pedal of an EX, make sure you're looking at the right one, which is the one all the way at the top.

 

checked the clutch pedal again and don't see a second switch. followed pedal to the end.

 

It is at the very top... you cannot see it because it is shrouded by the boxed steel surrounding the clutch pedal. The pad found about half way up the clutch pedal shaft is actually the one to disengage the cruise control if you push the clutch in, NOT the pad to close the clutch starter switch. If you only found the lower one... follow my directions above and you will discover it. You may need some light to help you find your way.

 

Based on this statement alone... my money is on the clutch starter pad at the TOP of the clutch pedal arm.