Honda Civic Clicks but won't Crank

Question

I have a 2005 Honda Civic and today out of the blue it wouldn't start. I hear a click sound when I turn the key to start, but nothing else. The car lights still work, and they dim slightly when attempting to start the car (which is normal for this car). Everything electrical inside the car also works fine, the engine just isn't cranking.

The battery is three years old, but it's still fully charged. I put a load on it and it's holding a charge under load just fine. Also, the battery terminals and connecting wires are very clean with no traces of rust or corrosion.

The car is a 5-speed and it still starts great on a hill, or with a push, so the engine isn't seized up.

I suspect that maybe the starter is bad, but I'm not entirely sure. Are there any other tests I can run before just replacing the starter? I'm on a budget so I'm just trying to avoid replacing the starter and then finding out that wasn't the issue.

Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

A starter clicking but not turning is a problem of amperage. Too few amps are making it to the actual starting motor. This can be caused by;

• An almost dead battery
• Corroded or loose battery cables/ends
• Bad windings/brushes in the starter motor
• Bad/worn solenoid (in the starter of most modern vehicles)

3 years is generally a good life for a starting battery, but you said it tested OK under load. You also said the wiring was ok, so it sounds like you've already narrowed it down to the starter.

Autozone and Orielly will both test starters (off the vehicle), I'm sure other auto parts stores do as well. If it tests bad, replace it. If not recheck the other items on the list.

Answer 2

Worth checking for good earth from body/battery to engine, check for good positive connection on starter - check for corrosion etc. Worth tapping the motor body to possibly force worn brush to make contact - don't beat the hell out of it - this will prove starter motor issue beyond repute if it does start on key. But it's most likely the motor needs recon/replacement.

Answer 3

A few items always need to be checked

• Both positive and negative wires connection to the battery, engine and starter

• Starter relay, normally under glove compartment

• Water thermostat sensor ground connection

• The starter's brushes.

Answer 4

The solenoid clicking indicates the solenoid coil is energizing. Frequently the problem is pitted contacts, from arcing where the solenoid passes the high current to the starter. Some units can be disassembled and the pitting sanded off.