This is not really a honda tech question rather an engine in general question... My 88 buick park avenue wont start, at first i thought it was the battery because last night i left the interior light on all night... So i started to charge it with my crx, now all the lights and power stuff work but the car still wont start and its making a really loud grinding scratching sounds and the belts try to turn but wont...What can be the problem , the starter? thanks for any help...

 

the grinding noise your talking about. could it be the solenoid clicking? most gms do this when the battery isn't charged enough

 

I bet the 88 Buick starter draws a bit more power than a CRX starter...

First make sure all the battery cables are attached solid, clean up the corrosion at both ends, all that obvious stuff.

If the buick battery will hold a charge, then maybe all you have to do is leave the crx running for a while to charge the buick thoroughly. Don't you have a battery charger?

If the buick battery won't hold a charge, you might be SOL. The crx alternator might not have enough power to drive the buick starter. So use the crx to drive to AutoZoned & buy a battery.

I can't hear the 'really loud grinding scratching sounds' from here, but maybe your starter pinion gear is chewed up??