Rep Power: 0

So I bought my first Honda, an 01 civic ex. 130K miles. No problem for six months. Go to start car this morning, no go! I have horn but no lights. Turn key nothing however when I turn off key the gauges will buzz and jump around for a second or two. Short? Any ideas? I have heard electrical problems are expensive. Money is tight. I have checked battery, no problem. Again I have strong horn, no lights and no start.

Where do I start aside from my local dealer> Also bought car for about 5K at what point do I junk it? If the repair is sasy $1,000 am I throwing good money after bad.

Thank you

J

 
Rep Power: 812

could be starter went bad if youre sure its not the battery.

 
Rep Power: 0

Might be the starter my bet is on the key ignition.

 
Rep Power: 291

what is the voltage on the battery with a multimeter?

 
Rep Power: 0

Voltage reads 10 volts. Also of interest, when I turn on the lights with key out of ignition I do not get lights however the gauges do the little jump I described for about three seconds. Sound serious??

 
Rep Power: 291

i would try to jump start or charge the battery first. 10v is very low. probably low enough that your battery is toast and will need to be replaced.

 
Rep Power: 0

Electric 130: THANK YOU!!

I jumped it and it started up. I suppose I will get a new battery. It's the originalk and I guess at 130K and 2001 its time.
Whenever I have had a bad batterty in the past I lost horn and lights. The horn lead me top believe battery was OK. I missed the obvious, jump start. Im a bit confused, why were the gauges jumping and buzzing with a low battery? I have never seen this in my other vehicles. Again, thank you I was ready to have it towed 40 miles to the Honda dealer.

J

 
Rep Power: 291

when the voltage gets low enough, crazy things happen. i really wouldnt really expect much more than 5 yrs or 100k out of an OEM battery. especially if anything's ever been left on to drain the battery during that span.