I have a d16y8 motor in a '89 crx dx. It's been having trouble starting. The starter would click, but wouldn't crank at all or turn the car over. Sometimes, it would start right up... other times, just click. Normally, I would think it's the starter. But when I put a charge(i.e. battery charger) to it, it would start right up. Anybody else experience this?

 

Is it a continuous clicking?

it sounds like you already proved it to be a problem with the battery or your alternator not providing the battery with a charge.

 

no, it's not continuous clicking, just one click. I've replaced both the battery and the alternator in the past year(for separate problems), but this is a new problem that popped up this past summer. My volt meter shows normal voltage whether the car turns over, or just clicks. That's what's got me puzzled and thinking that it's the starter.

 

Oh one click hmm thats different. Do you have any CEL? Is it the main relay you here with a slight click, or are you sure it's the starter.

 

no CEL... last CEL I had was for a bad o2 sensor. Main relay? hmmm, good question

edit: if it was the relay, wouldn't that mean that the starter would still try to crank the motor? Sometimes it'll start right up, and sometimes it'll click. But it'll never crank without starting up.

 

Yeah if you turn the key to two and the relay clicks it's good. Maybe the starter is going, even though it was replaced recently.

 

yeah, when i turn the key to "two", the relay does click. The starter hasn't been replaced. It's the battery and alternator that have been. Thanks for the advice!

 

Ah I thought you said the starter was done too. on me. I would look into that. Good luck.