I have a 97 Civic DX coupe that I cant get to start. Yesterday while driving to work the aftermarket CD player lost power a few times for a second or two then would turn back on, everything else on the car seemed fine. This morning I get in the car to go to work, turn the key and nothing happens for a few seconds then all the normal dash lights on the gauge cluster light up a few seconds later. I turn the key and it clicks a few times and that was all. I turn the key back off and try it a few more times and it does the same thing.........few second delay then the dash lights turn on and just a few clicks when i try to start the car. Anyone have any idea what this could be? Any help would be great.

 

sounds like ground isssue, probably main power line. check ur electrical connection. forsure!

 

alternator...

try jump starting it.

Do you have access to a multi-meter?

 

A simple search would have found you...
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...cm+bypass+jump

The above will test the starter, starter solenoid and starter circuit, you will need a 12V test light and a jumper lead, [wire with alligator clips at each end] the test light will cost you less then $5, [$5 would get you a pretty good one] $0.25 for the jumper lead of free if you have a piece of scrap wire.

I agree with ProjectEvilEj2 it sounds like a grounding problem, you should redo the main grounds, [batt. terminal and cable clamp, batt. to chassis ground and chassis to engine ground, [DO NOT just eyeball these grounds, disconnect them/clean both contact surfaces/ reconnect them, making sure they are tight.

Even if the above is not your problem, it can't be anything but good to redo the main grounds on a car that is 15 years old, it is also at the first place to start any electrical troubleshooting, second place is main power connections.

The above could also have been found easily by searching, the subject has been covered more then a few times.

Alternator, very possible, but the above would have to be done before testing the alt., for the test to be accurate. 94

 

It ended up being the negative battery terminal. It only had a few strands of the wire attached to the ground, Replaced it and all is good. Thanks for the help.