My 1991 civic si looks like it's having a starter problem. I can push start it but it won't turn over on it's own. All I get is the click and then nothing. (unless I push start of course) I'm not a mechanic and don't have any way of getting under the car. I'm thinking it's the starter or the relay. Anyone have any ideas or prices to replace these parts? I'll take it in the the mechanics tomorrow and see what it is.

 

Just out of curiosity, how clean are your battery terminals? I had a similar issue, turned out the battery terminals were corroded and needed some cleaning.

 

they are clean. I checked those first. my lights come on and radio works. I'm able to start the car with a push start

 

well push start or not a bad battery will give you the symptons you seem to have. I know personally cause it happened to me, on really hot days.

Try starting the car and hitting the starter(lightly) with a hammer (starter is located on top of the tranny between the distributor and thermostat)

if it turns over then yeah id say youve got a starter problem this usually means the brushes have worn down in the ring and it isnt making a good contact to turn the flywheel.

dont think if it does turn over after hitting the starter this is your solution it will eventually not work either.

Do a battery test though first, check all grounds and basically that will lead you to your starter if your still having the same problem.

 

yep, i'm having the same problem. I think my problem is that i have oil on my grounds cuz one of my bolts was stripped for the valve cover.

 

My car wouldn't crank and I hit the started while someone else was cranking the car, and it started up. So, I went and bought a new starte, and I am still having the same problem. Already replaced the main relay, ignitor, checked fuses, grounds, and looked to see if the cluth pedal is touching the cluch switch. still nothing.

 

I had the exact same problem and it was the starter...I think you have the same issue and here's why:

if your hearing a clicking noise, you're hearing the starter gear push out and hit the flywheel, as it should. You're not, however, getting the starter motor to spin. A signal is getting to the starter motor no problem, but there's a solenoid inside the body of starter that's busted and no longer giving the go to the motor. If it was dirt in the connections, I don't think you'd be having the same symptoms. If **** is dirty, power's not going through and if the starter was just fine, you'd hear a nice low whub whub whub everything would dim.

I think a new starter will solve your problem (~$100 aftermarket). Easy to put in. I did mine in about 1/2 hr with a rachet. Good luck!

And if you know better than me, please feel free to educate.

 

thanks for the help guys. I changed the starter and the car works perfect now. Much nicer sound from the starter now than what I remembered.
It cost me 141$ canadian for a reman.