Just wanted some input as to the problem. I have a 98 Acura EL, which has the same engine as the Civic EX in the states. When I attemped to start my car this morning all you could hear was click-click. It wasn't turning over at all. The thing is that all EL's up in Canada have been recalled for a faulty ignition switch, do you think this is causing the problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

check the battery

 

I think the problem is either the ignition switch or the starter solenoid.

I would first check the starter by removing it (located under the distributor on the back part of the transmission) and taking it to a local parts store to have them test the starter....

OR

you can test it yourself by jumping the solenoid (putting a power cable directly to the solenoid, and touching the power connection to the solenoid) and see if it either clicks or spins. -- if it spins, the starter is good and is probably the igniton switch, if it clicks, the starter solenoid is bad and you will have to get a new starter.

 

Well if you ask me, I would say that you need to do some more testing..

That "Click Click" that you hear, how many times does it do that?.. Is it, "Click Click Click Click" until you turn the key away from the "Start" position?..

If so, I would have to say that your Ignition Switch is working fine. But it could also mean that your Hold In Coil is open and causing the Clicking sound.. Because you see, the Starter Solenoid has two 2 coils in it. A Hold In Coil and a Pull In Coil. The purpose of both coils is to pull in the Plunger. And as soon as the Plunger connects the B Terminal to the M Terminal in the Solenoid, it Shorts out the Current in the Pull In Coil and turns it off. Thus leaving the Hold In Coil to hold the Plunger back while you're trying to crank the Engine over.

But that Clicking sound could also mean that the Amperage in the Battery isn't sufficient for the Starter Draw.. Meaning the Starter is drawing more Amperage than the Battery can put out. But I'm not too sure on it though.. I haven't really encountered it.. So it's a long shot..

But if when you turn the key to "Start" and all you hear is one click, you're problem is in the Second Starting Circuit..

To test it, you would first do a Specific Gravity Test or Open Circuit Voltage Test on the Battery to determine its State of Charge.. The Battery should have at least 12volts.. If not, you'll need to charge your Battery. And while it's charging, ask yourself, "Why isn't it fully charged?". Because your problem could be the Battery and there might be something wrong with your Charging System.

Next, with at least 12volts at the battery, do a Voltage Drop Test.. Before doing this, disable the Engine from possibly cranking over. To do this, you can disable the Fuel System and the Ignitino System. Now with your Multimeter, touch both Battery Posts and have someone turn the key to "Start". You should get a reading like 10.5V. Next test for power at the B Terminal on the Starter Solenoid. Assuming that the Starter is still connected to the Engine, the B Terminal would be the terminal with a big wire coming from the Battery. Sometimes it has a Red Cover over it to prevent it from Grounding out. If it helps, it's the Top Terminal.. With your Black Lead at the Negative Post and Positive Lead at the B Terminal, you should get a reading of 10.5V plus or minus 2/10th's of a volt.

Next move the Red to the Starter Terminal on the Solenoid. It's the terminal with the other big wire. You should get the same reading as you did before the Solenoid. Plus or minus 2/10th's of a volt.

And I can assume that your problem is there in the Solenoid. I'm assuming that the Disc in the Solenoid is pitted and burnt. Which would cause a Click in the Solenoid and not provide enough Amperage to run the Starter.

That's just what I think.. But Good Luck on your quest for an answer..

Oh.. And if you do this test and find that you've got the same Voltage going in and out of the Solenoid, let me know and I'll help you further test your Starting Circuit..

 

damn dude you go to Helms University

 

Thanks for all the info PnX-R and everyone else.
I didn't have enough time to mess around with the car this morning but when I got home I tried to start it again. It fired up but when starting/turning over it sounded very unhealthy it didn't really start properly. I'm not really sure how to explain the sound, it just kinda choked and then fired immediately while it would regularly turn over and then start. (I checked the battery, it was fine) Still kinda a confused as to why it did this..
I'm going to have the dealer check it out....