Master Mechanics step inside-no crank no start 98 Civic (random)

[CHA-LEE]

How much is your time and aggravation worth? It sounds like you have already wasted more than $150 in your time and being stranded trying to "Not spend money on parts". Open up the wallet and start replacing parts to get the issue resolved. Investing $150 in two parts isn't a lot of money if it solves the problem.

[spongejosh]

I've had a similar problem on 3 cars with 3 different fixes. On my old car it was the battery and ground contacts. Took each hot and ground lead off the battery, starter and alternator and cleaned them good with a wire brush. problem never returned. This one would cause the main relay to go nuts when it wasn't getting enough juice, flashing the dash lights like a rave.

On my wife's car it was the clutch switch. It would randomly not work. Took it apart and the contacts were all gunked up. Cleaned it and problem was fixed. Still replaced it with a new one once I knew that was the problem because it was cheap. This one was interesting because I could pump the clutch and get it to start most of the time.

Last one was on my truck and it ended up being the starter. The solenoid would click but not turn over the starter. Hitting it with a jack handle got it to turn over for a couple weeks until I replaced it.

[sniper7]

If you have the factory radio in that car, I think you need to figure out the radio code before unhooking the battery or your radio/security feature will give you problems. This is one thing I need to figure out on my 2000 civic. Anybody know how to get the radio code?

[SideShow Bob]

If you have the factory radio in that car, I think you need to figure out the radio code before unhooking the battery or your radio/security feature will give you problems. This is one thing I need to figure out on my 2000 civic. Anybody know how to get the radio code?

If you have never programmed it, or a previous owner never programmed it, the factory default code is in your owners manual. There will also be information on how to check / set the code.

[Irving]

If you screw it up, the dealer won't help you. I ended up getting an after market head unit in my 1996 GSR.

[Dan]

Hey guys, I'm new here but I'm a mechanic so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents. First, I am not a Honda tech, Mercedes for over 13 years but that can mean squat when it comes to other manufacturers sometimes. Second, I only read most of the first page replies so you may be past this point. I think it is the starter. If you are able to push start it when the condition happens, then the starter would be my guess.

[muddywings]

If you have the factory radio in that car, I think you need to figure out the radio code before unhooking the battery or your radio/security feature will give you problems. This is one thing I need to figure out on my 2000 civic. Anybody know how to get the radio code?

For those curious, I have the factory radio, it sits connected with a y connector and resides under the dash, the other end of the y connector goes to the after market radio. You need the factor radio to program the key fob and this is the only way to do it.
The radio was not the problem.

[muddywings]

Solved it-
Drum roll please.......
I finally got two more no crank no starts and trouble shot the problem (the first one that happened after the original post happened about two weeks ago but wanted a second time to confirm).

Both times, same formula-
No crank, no start
Tapped on the starter switch which is exposed as I took off the steering column cover-no change.
Tapped on the main relay-no change.
Opened the hood, took a ballpeen hammer to the starter, left the hood open, jumped back in the car and tried again-instant crank.
I guess today's warm weather helped push it over the edge again.

For those who advised 'starter' you won the internet for the day.



/thread