Put key in, click click click, no START

bryanisfishing · 07-14-2007, 03:34 PM

Here's the BG of my car.

Bought...5/08/06
15,000 miles on my car.

okay, so i tried to start my car this morning and it doesn't start. goes click click click. radio goes on, headlight goes on, car doesn't start. I'm guessing, starter... Well im not a car guy, so i don't know where it is in my car. Car is in park, E brake OFF, and no luck. 1 hour later, gave it another shot, starts off weak, but finally starts.

What is this all about... my car is not that old..
the car is STOCK and no mods.

Tommygun43 · 07-14-2007, 03:38 PM

basics first...charge and test the battery, or just get a new one as most OEM batteries aren't really that good, not sure what honda uses.

bulletSisedan · 07-14-2007, 03:42 PM

If you dont know anything about cars then i would just recomend takin straight to a mechanic while its runnin and if it under warranty then even better. good luck

glustic · 07-14-2007, 03:42 PM

Take it into Honda. You have a warranty use it.

rickhilbert · 07-14-2007, 03:44 PM

Yeh, sounds battery related...BUT as stated above, thats what the warranty is for!

5pyd3r · 07-14-2007, 03:47 PM

It does that when the battery gets drained completely. I'd left my headlights on one night and did that in the morning.

If you can get it to start, leave it running for about 30 min. Otherwise, jump it with someone else's car and then leave it running.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glustic

Take it into Honda. You have a warranty use it.

I agree. Take it in anyway if you have the time.

5pyd3r · 07-14-2007, 03:49 PM

Check and see if any lights were left on...
The engine immobilizer also has similar signs but since it did start when you tried again, that shouldn't be the issue.

blueroadster · 07-14-2007, 05:27 PM

The clicking when you turn the key is your starter working. Do you hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn the key? If not, check the sticky thread regarding the fuel pump relay.

blueroadster · 07-14-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5pyd3r

Check and see if any lights were left on...
The engine immobilizer also has similar signs but since it did start when you tried again, that shouldn't be the issue.

If it is an unmatched code on the key, then the car will still start. It will run for about 2 seconds before the immobilizer notices that the code on the key does not match the code stored in the ECM. As a result, it will then kill power to the fuel pump after those 2 seconds of running.

savcicEX · 07-14-2007, 07:24 PM

Charge your battery. I work at a dealeship and cars do that when they are not dead but don't have enough juice to start. Its normal, our cars with 5-10 miles do that sometimes when they take them on test drives and leave something on.. basically jump it, let it run and your set. Also, needles on the dash usually jump like crazy but since the civic is mostly digital you can't tell :P

bryanisfishing · 07-15-2007, 04:22 PM

Does your starter register as an acessory that is under warranty in your car? I did not purchase any addition warranty when i bought my car, therefore I am not entirely sure if it covers it or not. If my warranty doesn't cover the starter, how much would it cost me to get this fixed?

My car started an hour, yesterday after the clicking noise, but this morning it almost did it again, while I was at the bank.

thanks for all your answers guys.

BigT · 07-15-2007, 05:10 PM

Most likely your starter is fine. As others have said, your battery is most likely bad. A weak battery will cause this exact problem. The battery may have enough power to turn on the lights, radio, etc., but not enough power to run the starter, which takes far more amperage. Unfortunately the battery itself is probably not covered by the warranty.

**Silver8th** · 07-15-2007, 05:19 PM

Make sure the battery terminals are on tight.

BigT · 07-15-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver8th

Make sure the battery terminals are on tight.

A loose battery connection can cause the starter to not be able to draw the needed amperage, even if the battery is good.

glustic · 07-15-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigT

A loose battery connection can cause the starter to not be able to draw the needed amperage, even if the battery is good.

Heres an easy solution.
Take the battery out of your car, jump in your buddies car, go to AutoZone have them test it. Then you can either know if its the battery, or rule it out.

06CivEXJon · 07-15-2007, 09:08 PM

That same thing happend to me about a week ago it took three cranks for it to finally start,idk wtf that was or what caused it. Probably because i heard that the civics have a weak alternator and battery rumored but idk if thats the cause of it not starting.

***Cybergypsy*** · 07-15-2007, 09:12 PM

Mine has done that a few times, there is a thread on it....

xxhaimbondxx · 07-15-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommygun43

basics first...charge and test the battery, or just get a new one as most OEM batteries aren't really that good, not sure what honda uses.

I had a 96 Acura TL, original battery. Left my lights on many times. When recharged, was good as new. Still was strong when I sold it last year. Not sure what I am trying to say. Maybe that they don't make cars like they used to. My Civic's battery behaved very weak when exposed to very cold or very hot weather.

1stk20z3 · 07-15-2007, 10:32 PM

dead batt!

PrivateTune · 07-15-2007, 10:33 PM

There are only three or four companies makes batteries and only one group size will fit the civic. It's either group 51 or 51R. Basically, all the batteries are the same unless you are getting Optima or Odyssey battery like few of the members on here.

07-14-2007, 03:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
bryanisfishing Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Put key in, click click click, no START Here's the BG of my car. Bought...5/08/06 15,000 miles on my car. okay, so i tried to start my car this morning and it doesn't start. goes click click click. radio goes on, headlight goes on, car doesn't start. I'm guessing, starter... Well im not a car guy, so i don't know where it is in my car. Car is in park, E brake OFF, and no luck. 1 hour later, gave it another shot, starts off weak, but finally starts. What is this all about... my car is not that old.. the car is STOCK and no mods.

07-15-2007, 09:12 PM	#17 (permalink)
*Cybergypsy* Resident Caraholic Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 48 Posts: 8,274 iTrader: 3 / 100%	Mine has done that a few times, there is a thread on it.... __________________ Dreams have only one owner at a time. That's why dreamers are lonely. Erma Bombeck

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07-14-2007, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tommygun43 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Glens Falls, NY Age: 29 Posts: 405 Tom iTrader: 0 / 0%	basics first...charge and test the battery, or just get a new one as most OEM batteries aren't really that good, not sure what honda uses.

07-14-2007, 03:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
bulletSisedan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: phoenix Age: 23 Posts: 553 Jamil iTrader: 0 / 0%	If you dont know anything about cars then i would just recomend takin straight to a mechanic while its runnin and if it under warranty then even better. good luck

07-14-2007, 03:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
glustic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Saint Geroge, Utah Posts: 193 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Take it into Honda. You have a warranty use it.

07-14-2007, 03:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
rickhilbert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 1,059 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Yeh, sounds battery related...BUT as stated above, thats what the warranty is for!

07-14-2007, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
5pyd3r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX Age: 25 Posts: 129 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Check and see if any lights were left on... The engine immobilizer also has similar signs but since it did start when you tried again, that shouldn't be the issue.

07-14-2007, 05:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
blueroadster Senior Member Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,573 iTrader: 7 / 100%	The clicking when you turn the key is your starter working. Do you hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn the key? If not, check the sticky thread regarding the fuel pump relay.

07-14-2007, 07:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
savcicEX Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 64 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Charge your battery. I work at a dealeship and cars do that when they are not dead but don't have enough juice to start. Its normal, our cars with 5-10 miles do that sometimes when they take them on test drives and leave something on.. basically jump it, let it run and your set. Also, needles on the dash usually jump like crazy but since the civic is mostly digital you can't tell :P

07-15-2007, 04:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
bryanisfishing Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Does your starter register as an acessory that is under warranty in your car? I did not purchase any addition warranty when i bought my car, therefore I am not entirely sure if it covers it or not. If my warranty doesn't cover the starter, how much would it cost me to get this fixed? My car started an hour, yesterday after the clicking noise, but this morning it almost did it again, while I was at the bank. thanks for all your answers guys.

07-15-2007, 05:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
BigT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Duff Beer Krusty Burger Buzz Cola Costington's Department Store Kwik-E-Mart Stupid Flanders Park Posts: 1,784 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Most likely your starter is fine. As others have said, your battery is most likely bad. A weak battery will cause this exact problem. The battery may have enough power to turn on the lights, radio, etc., but not enough power to run the starter, which takes far more amperage. Unfortunately the battery itself is probably not covered by the warranty.

07-15-2007, 05:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
Silver8th Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: GA Posts: 6,818 EARL iTrader: 4 / 100%	Make sure the battery terminals are on tight.

07-15-2007, 09:08 PM	#16 (permalink)
06CivEXJon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monument/Colorado Springs Colorado Posts: 4,600 Jon iTrader: 0 / 0%	That same thing happend to me about a week ago it took three cranks for it to finally start,idk wtf that was or what caused it. Probably because i heard that the civics have a weak alternator and battery rumored but idk if thats the cause of it not starting.

07-15-2007, 10:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
1stk20z3 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hawaii Age: 20 Posts: 1,815 Casey iTrader: 0 / 0%	dead batt!

07-15-2007, 10:33 PM	#20 (permalink)
PrivateTune Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 85 iTrader: 0 / 0%	There are only three or four companies makes batteries and only one group size will fit the civic. It's either group 51 or 51R. Basically, all the batteries are the same unless you are getting Optima or Odyssey battery like few of the members on here.