Dear Experts,

I have a
1996 Honda Accord EX
2.2 VTEC engine
278K miles

Recently, I worked on changing the rear disc brakes
Calipers, bracket, pads/shoes.
Yesterday, I had someone help me bleed the brakes


Then when I went to start the car, there were
no lights, and no sounds, like there normally would be.

Charged the battery.
Light on charger, indicates that it's fully charged.
Cleaned the connections to the battery.

But, when I turn the ignition key, nothing!


This video:

Top 5 Problems Honda Accord Sedan 6th Generation 1998-2002
1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know
470,522 views
Sep 29, 2020

Mentions

6: Frayed Negative Battery Wires

Has anyone had experience with the negative wires?
Does this sound like the culprit?

Any other ideas?

Thanks a lot

 

Just because you charged the battery does not mean it's any good. If it's old and degraded a full charge could be very little. Load test it.

Did you check the main battery fuse?

 

Im going to guess grounding personally. Check the battery to frame ground, then the engine to frame ground etc.

 

@nicolaselias

Thanks Nick for the useful suggestions.

I watched this today:

Honda Accord Complete Battery Cable Replacement
PeanutButterMan
26,118 views
Jul 1, 2021

 

And ordered some cables from Autozone

For the Negative terminal

GP Sorensen Battery Cable AA22-4TB
Part # AA22-4TB
SKU # 1053007
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...tb/1053007_0_0
$29

 

For the Positive terminal

GP Sorensen Battery Cable DA33-2UT
Part # DA33-2UT
SKU # 1053022
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...ut/1053022_0_0
$42

 

The OEM cables from Honda are discontinued

 

It's fixed. Here's what I did.

Changed the battery cables, both positive and negative.

Cleaned all connections with rubbing alcohol.

See the corroded negative cable.


Corroded negative battery cable

 

One hard part was getting the cables fit into the Honda specific hardware that
holds them in place, between the battery, and the connection at the other end.

And, the positive lead to the fuse box was too big.
I had to trim it down to size.
And make a little slot with my Dremel, so that it fit into the plastic fuse box.

 

But, still no dash lights, head lights, or start.
Dead as a door nail.

Battery voltage was good.

Pulled the 50 and 100 amp fuses (Phillips screwdriver required)
Tested fuses with the electric multi meter.
Current passed through the fuses

Cleaned contacts/connections with rubbing alcohol, and reinstalled the fuses

Cleaned and reattached the battery cables.

Headlights worked
Dash lights worked
Car started

Yeah!

So, after 27 years, some electrical connections got dirty.